Acknowledgements

Poems in this collection have previously appeared in or been accepted for the following e-zines, journals, and small press publications:

American Tanka, Ascent Aspirations, Ash Moon Anthology: Poems on Aging in Modern English Tanka (Modern English Tanka Press, 2008), Atlas Poetica, Baby Clam, Bottle Rockets, Germination (mytown.ca), Gusts, Haiku Presence, Hutt, Kaleidowhirl Literary Journal, Lynx, Nisqually Delta Review, Rags, Regina Weese, Ribbons (American Tanka Society), Simply Haiku, Snow Monkey, Streetlights: Poetry of Urban Life in Modern English Tanka (Modern English Tanka Press, 2009), Take Five: Best Contemporary Tanka (Modern English Tanka Press, 2008), Twaddle Magazine, World Haiku Review, and Writing the Land: Alberta Through Its Poets (House of Blue Skies, 2007).

“Riding the Dragon” also appeared in my earlier collection of haiku, senryu, and tanka, A Charm of Finches (Ekstasis Editions, 2004).

Thanks to the editors, many who have published me issue after issue, for their continued support. Thanks to my family too for putting up with my haikoodling.

For my new nuclear unit, Gepke, Marika, Adrian, Kelly, and Kyle — the perfect passel of brats; our growing clowder of cats — Max, Smokey, Sushi, and Earle (a.k.a. Leddy Headbutter); and our wonderful wacky duo, Oscar, miniature action dachshund, and Cosmo, cyborg golden retriever and most excellent mellow yellow fellow. May we continue to rock in the free world.

Thanks too to “the Nelson Family” and my good friends in Lethbridge and on the Web: you all make my creative life possible. Paddles up!