Haiku diary 4

Did the time speed up? Who knows? But Miloň Čepelka, at least as far as the poetic form in this book is concerned, has accelerated without question. Between the second and third volumes, the haikumils waited eight long years, and now only two for the fourth. And that's a good thing. Once again, they can delve into the magical triad of five-seven-five and glimpse into the poet's soul between exuberance and austerity.

Are times changing? Again, it's not certain. Of course, we change, and it is natural. Even St. Augustine said: "As we are, so are the times." In Haiku Diary 4, the nymphs are gone - and the one, faithful and loving guide remains. It has dropped the mood swings, and remained, on first reading, perhaps darker, yet optimistic; and the belief that neither God nor good men will let us down. And perhaps the private observations have diminished in favour of public ones - but those who know the author's work need not fear that he may be forgetting man for the sake of mankind.

"Feel, read, think... and live!" - as if we were told by a poet who certainly doesn't take long to say goodbye. Don't get bored with Haiku Journal 4 after the first reading either. Enjoy it a second time, you will discover new notes and layers.