Torrington poet publishes haiku collection

TORRINGTON — Patricia Mason-Martin has had a chapbook of her haiku poetry, “How Fickle is Love,” published by Local Gems Press.

The boutique publisher, based on Long Island, N.Y., has published poets from more than 10 countries and 30 different states.

Mason-Martin is the author of six nonfiction books, and a recent poetry collection, “In Venice I Could Sing.”

“Since I first learned the form back in a college creative writing class, I have always loved the challenge and deceptive simplicity of writing haiku,” Mason-Martin said in a statement. “I am very appreciative of Local Gems Press for publishing my chapbook haiku collection as I’ve been writing them over the years and can now share them in one volume.”

According to MasonMartin, traditional Japanese haiku is a three-line poem with 17 syllables, written in a 5/7/5 syllable count. One of the world’s oldest regularly written forms of poetry, haiku often features images form nature. It offers a “snapshot” of brief moments in time and uses evocative images that in spiritual context can bring about a sense of enlightenment or inspiration.

A graduate of Darien High School, MasonMartin relocated to Woodstock, N.Y., before her move to Torrington. She is an author, poet/ performer and freelance copywriter. Mason-Martin is also a marketing communications specialist at Community Health & Wellness Center, with locations in Torrington, Winsted, and soon Canaan.

Her poetry has previously been published in several anthologies and magazines, including “Poets to Come,” an anthology celebrating Walt Whitman’s 200th birthday; “Fired Up! Creative Expression for Challenging Times;” “Trees in a Garden of Ashes: Poetry of Resilience;” “A Pathway to Dreams;” “Goddess: Raising consciousness Through Spoken Word;” “WaterWrites: A Hudson River Anthology;” “Unlocking the Word: An Anthology of Found Poetry;” Art Times Journal; Chatham Magazine; and EPIC Magazine.

“Is Love So Fickle” is available at www.patriciamartin.com.

Contributed photo Torrington writer Patricia Mason-Martin has published a collection of haiku poetry, “How Fickle is Love.”