Haiku Writing Groups

I recently attended a virtual haiku writing group for the first time. I was nervous - this was my first haiku writing group outside of a class or workshop. I had briefly met a few of the members during a poetry reading by Michael Drummy earlier in the year, but I didn't know any of the rest of the group. The idea of presenting my haiku front of a group of my peers was nerve racking. I think we all feel anxious at the idea of being judged, of not meeting the level of skill or expertise that we mentally assign others who are doing the same thing we are doing. In this case, I imagined a panel of people who would be judging and sneering at my work, which would be determined to be clearly less than acceptable. In reality the group couldn't have been more friendly, welcoming and accepting. They provided excellent feedback and critique, and I was able to contribute my own thoughts and feedback on poems other people had submitted. It was fun, it gave me a boost of motivation and now I have a structured "deadline" to keep my writing momentum fueled. It was an opportunity I fell into because of curiosity, something I work at nurturing and cultivating. "I wonder what will happen if...?" is one of the most useful and interesting questions I ask myself. It leads to all sorts of creative and exciting encounters, like this one. I encourage you as haiku writers to find a haiku writing group. If there are none nearby, create your own. They are an invaluable tool in continuing to write and learn about this poetic form.