Haiku appear to be simple, but they pack a punch. They are notable for being compressed and suggestive. Haiku record a moment, sensation, or impression in time, and they're often personal.

I issued a challenge to James that I could write more haiku -- more quickly -- than he could -- and he's a writer.

So the challenge was on. We each had to write fifty poems; the first one finished would be the winner. We had one year from the start of the challenge to complete all fifty, and the haiku had to be inspired by moments within that year.

The haiku in this collection are our best from that challenge. We've combined them here with some of my favorite quilts. We hope you enjoy them both.