I will like to begin by acknowledging Christina and Michael for their individual exceptional
skills; for holding me down each page, one by one, never allowed me had my fill, as I looked
forward to the spell and magic, hidden in the coming themes and pages. I am pretty much
impressed how the Japanese form of poetry unravel itself in every sense; I admire how both
authors use brevity to project nature, human feelings, extreme longing and hunger, and
intentional affection: for things breathing; for things still.

Dark of the Moon (excerpt)

reincarnation . . .
as fate would have them
meet again

In view of the theme above from the book First Day of the Rest projects a mystic and atmospheric description of a moonlight walk with a dog along a deserted rural road. The stars are exceptionally clear, while the still air blows allowing the sounds of night creatures to be heard from the woods on either side. The authors mentions “an ancient cemetery and restless wind sprites,” adding a mystical element to the scene. The narrative includes the “crackle of a neighbor’s bonfire,” laughter, and the sounds of rowdy behavior, creating a contrast between the sense of tranquility of nature and human activity. The voices of cranes speaking tenderly to each other are described as charming and reminiscent of couples chattering in the dark, suggesting a sense of intimate moment and connection. The dog Jack, is noted to be a city dog who was rescued, and the new rural environment with its unfamiliar sounds and odour makes him uneasy. This introduces the dog’s adjustment to a strange life and the inherent dangers he perceives.

This chapbook features a variety of poetic and prose themes that blend narrative with haiku, creating a rich imagery and intense emotion; connecting the reader with reflective and intimate moment; thereby, tossing the reader back and forth, from the serene and contemplative to the poignant and nostalgic.

Each piece is carefully crafted and rendered with great thought, to give meaning to the authors’
ability to evoke deep feeling and vivid scenes through the power of their words.
Profoundly, I will like to conclude that, “First Day of the Rest” is a captivating work of art,
handsomely written and brilliantly composed collection that will appeal to the reader who
welcome the interplay of prose and haiku.

And referencing the theme “Before Moonrise,” in my own creation thus:

grandma
takes a deep dip
in the water pot
village twilight
peeping

Highly recommended First Day of the Rest: a chapbook of Haibun and Haibunga collaborations
https://a.co/d/eKlecEL

Uchechukwu Onyedikam is a poet whose work graces Petals of Haiku: An Anthology, an Amazon best-seller now permanently displayed in the Treasure House of Rinsen-ji Temple, Japan, a revered institution with over 500 years of history. With 8 works screened at the global HaikuLife Haiku Film Festival 2025, by The Haiku Foundation. Editors’ Choice Everscribe Magazine. Nominated for Best of the Net, Pushcart Prize, and Touchstone Award.