by Alison

Well, this is refreshing!  The new President of the European Union is none other than the reluctant Prime Minister of Belgium, Herman Van Rompuy. Not exactly known for playing the part of the alpha-male, Van Rompuy is more famed for being a “nice guy” with few enemies and a “quiet sense of purpose”.  Can it get cooler than that? Oh, yes it can. Van Rompuy also writes haiku.

Check out this humble haiku penned by this new EU Prez:

Hair blows in the wind

After years there is still wind

Sadly no more hair.

OMG! I love this guy!  And not only does he write haiku, he also reads them aloud at the sort of very important events politicians tend to partake in. At a recent news conference Van Rompuy introduced himself, along with the prime ministers of Spain and Hungary, with this humorous haiku:

Three waves together,

Rolling onto the harbor –

The trio is here.

I think I have a new criteria for future politicians. It’s not all policy and press, as we tend to think. Our future leaders may also benefit their constituents by possessing the wisdom of haiku…. and correct me if that’s not a great quality for leadership!

You can read more of Herman Van Rompuy’s haiku, written in his native Flemish, at his blog. But if you don’t read Flemish you are in luck - a translated version can be found here.

Lost Love:

Postcard from afar

Venice with sun low in sky

Lydia sends her love.

.

…Read more of D. Gale’s haiku.

.h