The President of the European Union Herman Van Rompuy has launched his first poetry book of Haiku - Japanese style - poems about 40 in total, and he emerges as a Poet and Politician and is keen according to Reuters to share his love of the Haiku - Japanese - style poems with everyone. Herman Van Rompuy is the former Prime Minister of Belgium and is 62 and was recently appointed the President of the European Union totalling 27 countries. Haiku poems are composed of 3 lines of 5, 7 and 5 syllables and Haiku means in translation - playful verse and Herman Van Rompuy has had his first book of Haiku - Japanese style - poems translated into English, French, Dutch, German and Latin.
Haiku style poems with its "artlessness" invites poet and reader to pause - as Haiku is brief for those who have not got the time to bother with long poems. An interesting point is raised in this blog from Reuters on Herman Van Rompuy's First Book of Haiku Poems which is that this is evidence of "real" poets and the publication of such work is necessary to inspire others .. thanks Reuters! And let me offer "Congratulations" to Herman Van Rompuy President of the European Union - a best seller with such publicity, promotion and talent! Its wonderful to discover I too have joined the ranks of Real Poets published poets in 2005 and again in 2009 in the USA (and EU) Well done EU! & USA! My poem "I am leaving" is on exhibition in the UK and has been described by Father John as "A wonderful piece of art" ... nice work!