[About the Book]
Weaving Poetry in an Absurd World
Reality and imagination, consciousness and the unconscious, presence and absence, self and other, light and shadow. Layer upon layer, these worlds interweave, becoming words, becoming poetry.
This collection brings together the life’s work of poet Shugo Kawahara-including selections from his previously published poetry collections, as well as tanka, critical essays, and personal reflections. It is truly a culmination of his literary journey to date.

[Table Of Contents]
Flutter Flutter Flutter
Self-Selected Poetry Collection
Poetry Theory & Essay
Commentary
Author’s Biography

[Editor’s Note]
As you read the poems in this book, you will be reminded of the infinite possibilities that lie within the words we so casually use in our daily lives. At times you may find your own heart mirrored in the verses; at others, you may feel your spirit set free into unknown worlds. Immerse yourself in the shifting colors of language, and savor the experience.

[Author’s Biography]
Shugo Kawahara

1946 Born in Hekinan City, Aichi Prefecture
1969 Graduated from the School of Science, Nagoya University, Appointed as a science teacher at Aichi Prefectural high schools
1994 First poetry collection The Roar (privately printed)
1997 Second collection Box (Sanyūdō)
2001 Third collection Whispers of Stone (Sanyūdō)
2008 Fourth collection Futon and Tofu (Doyō Bijutsu-sha Publishing)
2017 Fifth collection Noren (Kōzui Kikaku)
2021 Shugo Kawahara Selected Poems, Modern Poets Library vol. 20 (Sunagoya Shobō)

[Affiliations]
[Former]
Poetry magazine Sachi-ya (defunct) / Shin
Poetry magazine No / Tanka magazine Tō
[Present]
Literary journal Kōsaten / Chūnichi Poets Association /
Japan Poets Club / Japan Contemporary Poets Association