In my long list of reviews, I do not believe I have done one on a book of haikus. There is a first for everything and my book of the month is called Compulsive Haiku by Rocco Talarico. A haiku is a specific type of Japanese poem which has 17 syllables divided into three lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables. Haikus are typically written on the subject of nature and is derived from the Japanese word hokku meaning “starting verse.”
Compulsive Haiku is a collection of 500 titillating and sensitive haiku. He describes it as a light look at the dark side of pleasure, indulgence, obsession and sex. This books pulls no punches especially when entering the realm of sex. Rocco describes the longing, hunger and urgency of gay sex in a frank and yet poignant way. He has separated the chapters according to subject matter such as Vodka and Whiskey or more lustier sections like Maybe, Rules, Friends and Amigos.
Originally from Portland, Maine, Rocco now resides in New Orleans. I love that artists flock to our city to create. Talarico is a queer poet, yogi, artist & bartender, and each of these talents flow so easily in his writing.
It’s morning & night
& all the time in between
that I miss you most
From that feeling of anticipation and exploration of a new lover to being with friends, he covers a multitude of topics expertly to the point that I blushed a few times at the more graphic parts, but loved them nonetheless. I had the honor of meeting Rocco recently and he is a delight. Charming and witty, I can see where he can gather so much source material; people just want to be in his presence.
Check out Compulsive Haiku. For more information or to purchase your copy, go to www.compulsivehaiku.com.
