Internationally acclaimed haiku poet, Paul Chambers will shortly be launching his second collection of poetry in Newport. The launch of the volume, entitled Latitudes, will take place at Ye Olde Murenger House on Thursday November 30 at 7pm.
Mr Chambers, 31, has had over 200 of his poems published in national and international journals and anthologies. He also recently published a landmark translation of haiku by the Spanish poet, Federico Garcia Lorca in the Times Literary Supplement.
Mr Chambers’ first collection, This Single Thread, was shortlisted for major international prizes, including The Haiku Foundation’s Distinguished Book Award – the highest award in the field of English-language haiku. His haiku has been described by the Modern Haiku journal as “a poetic spell”, and his work has drawn comparisons with Newport tramp-poet, W. H. Davies.
Early praise for Latitudes comes from former vice-president of the Haiku Society of America, Michael Dylan Welch, who writes: “Paul Chambers’ sensitivity to latitudes means he pays attention to the distinctions of every living experience. We find exactly these sensitivities in this book…these poems deserve to be read repeatedly.”
The book launch is an open event for anyone wishing to attend. There will be copies of the book on sale, and the event will include a reading of selected poems from the collection. More information can be found at http://www.paulchambershaiku.com