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Haiku Wisdom


Living the Principles and Philosophies of Kung Fu, Haiku and Nature by Don Baird


A Review by Colin Stewart Jones


I did wonder how to approach this book—whether to read it as a self-help book with haiku attached or a book of haiku containing motivational teaching—the simple fact isH


a iku Widmis both and I so


need not have worried—the key to its reading is to sit a while and listen to tried and tested advice, as a diligent student would.


Baird is a master martial artist and an award winning haiku poet and he is, no doubt, a teacher of great merit too. Baird does not preach nor does he ask anything of his students that he has not or would not do himself, rather, he adopts the warm conversational tone of a favourite uncle. He often reminds us of the importance of play and the playground; where much of our learning is gained and to above all keep that lightness of touch –k


a m ru i– in all that we do.


This is a playful book which has some seriously good advice, for anyone who would receive it, and as one would expect from a true master of Kung Fu, Baird, advocates order and discipline over fighting. Though I have never seen Baird in full fighting mode I‘d bet, that if his teachings and haiku are anything to go by, he kicks ass—but I also know he‘d rather talk you round first.


Baird‘s haiku often pose a kind of question which his prose answers.


indoor cat ... outdoor cat nose to nose


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