“black star” is a powerful rendition of “less is more.” With plenty of white space and minimal wordplay, it offers just enough to cut deeply. The traditional presentation of a red seal, set against the monochrome visual, adds to the starkness of the poem.

In “what am I” we see a deeply personal question and an invitation to dive into the heart of the rose. The senryu dazzles, and its font combines nicely with the overall design to evoke both beauty and mystery.

The tanka of “to know” is handled with a delicate touch, and its depth is nicely counterbalanced by the lightness of the poppies. Many of Elisa’s haiga ask profound personal questions involving love, life, and death, but in a way that’s always intermingled with an appreciation of nature’s beauty.

The whimsical “when I blink” floats beautifully on the screen, transporting us to a place of peace and meditation. The poet has made a deep connection with the human condition and our place in nature. Our busy lives may pass in a blink of time, but the clever spacing of “nimbus” slows us down, if just for a moment.

I’m always pleased to see new approaches in haiga, and “making its way” is a winner. From the inventive use of background text to the placement of the two-line haiku and the bold red flower of desire glowing on the page, we marvel at the poet’s vision.

In “man on the moon,” the pastel-coloured roses provide a lovely backdrop for a two-line senryu alluding to lost love. The framing and juxtaposition of the design elements all work together to tantalizing effect.