Closet Haikus by R. R. Noall

A Collaborative Coming Out Poetry Collection

Book blurb

Closet Haikus is the 1st ever collaborative coming out poetry collection. Funded by a Kickstarter campaign, members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies submitted stories, which poet R.R. Noall turned into unique haikus. With the thought that haikus are an approachable form, the collection aims to educate members of the LGBTQ+ community about other identities and to also inform those outside of this community about the variety of identities and “coming out” experiences.

My thoughts

The author takes stories received from individuals of their coming out experience and writes a haiku about it dedicated to them.

This is a short book packed with warmth and charm. Whilst it can only be the individual that will know if, for them, it has ‘hit the nail on the head’ in terms of their personal experience we, the readers, can gain an understanding and therefore, hopefully empathise with the individual and others who have or will in the future come out. Many may see their own, or loved ones, experience similarly reflected.

Isn’t it wonderous that such a short, precise set of words gives joy to the individual and the reader is able to feel it to?

Joy? I think so. I know not all these, or any, coming out stories are necessarily happy indeed that is evident in this volume. In this slim volume each of these individuals have chosen to share their experience and that they are able to do so and be who they are is a wonderful thing. That is surely joyous.

Nevertheless, there are other or different experiences included as well. Whatever the story or journey these individuals have shared their experience. That is amazing, wonderful and joyful.

I have very much enjoyed this slim collection of haikus and would certainly recommend it.

Haiku

A “Haiku” is a traditional form of Japanese poetry.

Simply, Haiku poems consist of 3 lines. The first and last lines of a Haiku have 5 syllables and the middle line has 7 syllables. As Haikus are such short poems, they are usually written about things that are recognizable to the reader.

Want to explore more on ‘what a Haiku is’ then check this tofugo post out. Also, this Read Poetry blog explores the Haiku.

This is what R. R. Noall writes about Closet Haikus

Book: purchased

Information

Find the collection on Amazon – 25% of proceeds will be donated to LGBTQ+ nonprofit organizations around the world.

AmazonSmileUK |Amazon.com

Or, as the image below shows, at the moment R. R. Noall will sign a copy with 50% of proceeds donated to LGBTQ+ organisations – you just need to DM her on Twitter (see link below).

R.R. Noall (Rachel Noall) is a Denver typewriter poet, the host of a poetry podcast called Poems for People, a college English professor, founding editor of a Denver lit mag and marketing professional.

R.R. Noall’s version of typewriter poetry becomes an interactive experience for guests. In this way, it is live entertainment at wedding, parties, events, and for informal gatherings.

Poems for Poeple is a poetry podcast unlike any other. After speaking with inspriational humans and organizations, Noall write a poem, on-demand. This process makes poetry feel collaborative, as guests get to see their stories turned into a poem right before their eyes. Listeners have called Poems for People podcast “soothing,” “calm and genuine,” and “a break from the noise of life.”

She teaches English Composition at Red Rock Community College and pushes her students to find their voice through each and every writing assignment.

She is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of a Denver arts and literary magazine called From Whispers to Roars.

For Rachel, writing was a natural segue into the field of marketing. To supplement her writing experience, Rachel has earned marketing certificates from reputable journals and universities. In 2020, she founded RN Marketing Collective, a Denver digital marketing agency serving creative entrepreneurs world wide.

You can find R. R. Noall on Twitter @rrnoall or check out her website rrnoall.com