Blue Mountain Haiku is a vibrant community of haiku enthusiasts based in Asheville, North Carolina. Members meet regularly to share, workshop, and discuss haiku poetry, creating a welcoming space for both beginners and experienced writers. Whether you're looking to refine your craft, explore the possibilities at the very edges of haiku, or simply connect with others who appreciate this unique art, Blue Mountain Haiku offers a supportive environment to deepen your practice.

Haiku has evolved significantly from its traditional Japanese roots. Originally defined by its strict 5-7-5 syllable count and seasonal themes (kigo), haiku in the modern era has embraced greater freedom in both form and content.

Influenced by cultural shifts, globalization, and movements like modernism and surrealism, haiku expanded beyond nature, venturing into politics, personal reflection, urban life, feminism, science fiction, and more. Poets began to move away from rigid rules, prioritizing brevity, immediacy, and personal expression over formal structure. This shift allowed haiku to explore a broader range of subjects, from the mundane to the fantastical, with more fluid aesthetics and experimental techniques.

Today, while some poets maintain traditional practices, many embrace free-form haiku that reflects the complexities of contemporary life. The essence of haiku—a concise, evocative snapshot of a moment—remains, but what’s being expressed has become as diverse and dynamic as the world itself.