The origins of the ancient Japanese poetic form known as Haiku are shrouded in mystery and legend. Among these legends are —well, frankly, no mention of cats at all. But if a cat had a spiritual discipline, it seems that it would inevitably be Zen. And if a cat were to express himself in poetry, seems equally inevitable that his preferred form would be the compact. often inscrutable, sometimes abrupt, always provocative seventeen syllables of Haiku. So if you wonder how cats view the world—and what they make of their close association with us—you may find some enlightenment of your own within the pages of Catku.

Suspecting disdain
You sense my indifference
You're getting warmer.

The Temple had been at the foot of the mountain for a thousand years. At the moment of its four hundred thousand and first dawn, the student approached the master.