DON’T STEP ON THE SKY

Chaikin (Clouds of Glory, 1998, etc.) defines haiku in traditional form in her introduction and goes on to say that today haiku does not always follow that three-line, seventeen-syllable model. “On the first line, five / On the second line, seven / On the third, five more.” These mostly vivid and utterly accessible haiku are full of images young people will recognize. “A cardinal in the yard. / My heart stops. / A red secret.” “The cat sits on her haunches, / watching the street. / How like an eggplant!” The title poem refers to reflection: “After the rain / a puddle. / Careful. Don’t step on the sky.” Cityscapes and time at the beach, rivers, ponds, boats, and night lights—all are summoned in the poetry spoken by a round-headed, button-eyed little girl. Nakata’s (What Kind of Kiss?, 2001, etc.) ink-and-watercolors cheerfully reflect the haiku, with an economy of image and use of negative space. A profusion of flowers, insects, and other small creatures, and a ginger cat soften the friendly landscape further. A nice companion to Matthew Golub’s fabulous Cool Melons—Turn to Frogs! (1998). (Poetry. 6-10)