What do Criminal Law and Haiku Have in Common?

The answer to the riddle is Professor Frank Pommersheim who teaches Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure at USD Law School and writes poetry wherever he is.

Some faculty members at USD Law School author novels or poetry chapbooks in addition to their scholarly publications. Frank Pommersheim, whose scholarly publications may be seen on the law library's SelectedWorks page, is one such professor.

Professor Pommersheim enjoys writing poetry. Much of his work is written in haiku-like verse, a very short Japanese poetry form. His recent books are titled: Small Is Beautiful: The Buddha Correspondence (2011), East of the River: Poems Both Ancient and New (2008), and Haiku for the Birds (2002). Below is an example of one of Professor Pommersheim's most recent poems.

"Buddha Paints a Still Life" appears in Buddha's Spring Triptych (2013).

Apples
prayer beads

clear light
open window

Holding
the moment

In addition to these recent works, Professor Pommersheim has written two other poetry books: Mindfulness and Home: Poetry and Prose from a Prairie Landscape (1997) and Snaps: Poetry and Prose from a Family Album (1994).

Frank Pommersheim's poetry books can be purchased at the USD Bookstore or by e-mailing your request to teresa.carlisle@usd.edu.

(This entry was originally written and posted by Candice Spurlin)