Three Raven Gate

Brian R. Martens is a master of the traditional Japanese

art form known as the haiku, which is short and

compact. He also writes longer poems, which give him

the opportunity to explore big topics like time and space,

mystery and what he calls "Vision Wind." Both haiku

and longer poems are collected in a new book titled

Three Raven Gate, published by McCaa Books, a major

North Bay publisher of poetry. In an essay at the back

of this book, Martens explains that he was 'hiding my

voice behind other poets' and that 'revealing of my inner

thoughts and life in words is my salvation and a way to

befriend myself.' The poems in Three Raven Gate will

make Martens new friends in the world of poetry and

beyond. They reveal the wonders one can work with a

form as short and compact a haiku, and they take readers

into the immense mysteries of the human heart.

The illustrations by artist Michael Hofmann-who is a

master of Japanese brush painting-stand on their own.

They also enhance Martens' haiku. Three Raven Gate is a

feast for the eye and the ear.