Lilacs After Winter by Francis Masat encompasses a human story of love, loss, and redemption; a deeply moving collection. Every lover of haiku and haibun should read this book.

Baltimore, Maryland – November 15, 2008 – Lilacs After Winter, a chapbook of haibun—haiku with prose—by Francis Masat, has been published by Modern English Tanka Press. The haibun form, combining prose and poetry into single brilliant works of literary art, deserves closer attention from all who love poetry.

Lilacs After Winter is a chapbook of haibun by the well-known Key West poet, Francis Masat. Journeys to the edge of life and death may not be pleasing, but the truth, insight, and outcomes at the heart of this collection show that the journey is worth the costs. Rich with experience, the poet uses natural images to show the interventions of fate. All of us have probably noticed little things in Nature like birds and raindrops, snowflakes and field mice, or stars and blossoms. But when they encompass a human story of love, loss, and redemption, they become more than one might imagine. A deeply moving collection.

Originally from the Midwest by way of New Jersey, Francis Masat is a 24/7 wildlife rescue volunteer in Key West, Florida, where he and his wife have lived for 15 years. He also volunteers feeding shut-ins and, when he finds time, writes poetry such as that in his first poetry book, A Taste of Key West, Pudding House Press. His work appears in over 75 anthologies and journals.

For media inquiries or to arrange an interview with the authors, contact Francis Masat by e-mail at cfmasat@bellsouth.net. Publisher information at: www.modernenglishtankapress.com.

This chapbook is available from www.Lulu.com/modernenglishtanka and from the publisher. Complete information and both a mail and an email order form are available online at www.modernenglishtankapress.com. Price: $8.95 USD. ISBN 978-0-9817691-8-9. Chapbook. 24 pages, 6.00" x 9.00", saddle stitch binding, 60# cream interior paper, black and white interior ink, 100# exterior paper, full-color exterior ink.

Modern English Tanka Press is an independent equity publishing house in Baltimore, Maryland, dedicated to producing books and periodicals of lasting literary value, especially poetry. A family business, we treat our customers and partners in publishing like family. We use modern print-on-demand production and distribution methods. Our special mission is to promote the tanka form of poetry and to educate newcomers about this most ancient poetic form. We operate www.TankaCentral.com, the internet megasite for tanka, with its popular "Tanka News" blog, and the poetry web hub, www.ShortVerse.com.

Contact:
Denis M. Garrison, owner
Modern English Tanka Press
443-802-1249
Email to dmg@themetpress.com 
www.modernenglishtankapress.com  www.modernenglishtanka.com  www.atlaspoetica.com
www.shortverse.com www.tankacentral.com  www.tankanews.com  www.modernhaiga.com
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