Spam-Ku: Tranquil Reflections on Luncheon Loaf

By John Cho

Book Overview

Since 1995, John Cho has faithfully harvested and preserved SPAM-related haiku for future generations. Now, for the first time in print, the SPAM Haiku Archive Master (or S.H.A.M.) offers more than 150 of the most delectible SPAM-ku ever prepared--selected from his collection of thousands. Anyone who likes to eat SPAM luncheon meat, sing about SPAM with Monty Python, or simply relish the poetry that is SPAM's very existence will love sinking his or her teeth into SPAM-ku.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060952784
• ISBN13: 9780060952785
• Release Date: September 1998
• Publisher: Harper Perennial
• Length: 96 Pages
• Weight: 0.78 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.0" x 0.2" x 5.3"

Customer Reviews

Perfection Uncanned

John Cho must be a profoundly unusual man to combine the concepts of Japanese verse and Spam. This book is an utter delight for anyone who cherishes the unusual, strange, or surreal. The book contains 162 poems (technically, many are not haiku, but are senryu, but since 'ku' means 'verse' in Japanese, the title is still appropriate) about the most popular spiced pork luncheon meat product the world has ever known. The book is actually divided into chapters such as "Dreams and Nightmares", Obsession and Addiction", and "Philosophy and Deep Thought." In all cases Mr. Cho, who is the 'Spam Haiku Archive Master' (SPAM) for his Spam-ku website (http://www.spamhaiku.com/spamhaiku/site/), has selected only the tastiest poetic morsels for us to feast on. I have many favorites, but will cite two examples of the finest of the Spam poetry genre. In the section "Epiphany and Portent" there is this gem:Roseate pork slab,How you quiver on my spork!Radiant light, gelled.While in the section "Anticipation and Desire", this little greasy gem lurks:How my hands trembleApplying a light coat ofSPAM-colored lipstick.All in all this book is perfect for those with a well developed or offbeat sense of humor, or alternately, it is tailor made to annoy anyone who takes poetry way too seriously (which can be fun in and of itself). I am pleased to see Mr. Cho's important contribution to literature in print, and hope for a sequel at some point in the future.

Most important poetry compilation of the 20th Century

While some mundanes will argue that processed and canned meats are not worthy of literary exploration, they will be wrong. Spam-ku demonstrates masterfully that our favorite canned consumable is not only a valid topic, but perhaps the only valid topic for literature today. This is the book of poetry that the 21s century--no--the entire millennium--will be judged on. Only works which center around SPAM will be seen as true works of the art, and those that treat TREET will be seen as acceptable mass-market, cheap pulp.

Refreshing

As an early contributer of several pieces of Spam-ku (archive numbers 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, and 172), I was saddened that my work did not appear in the book. However, what did make the cut is some of the better Spam-ku out there.I guess the internet site kinda started as a joke, but then it got a cult following (16,000+ Spam-kus and counting!). And now, it's a book.Encouraging people to create haiku (remember that form of Japaneese poetry from seventh grade english?) about Spam, Cho has collected interesting works that generally praise the qualities of the oft-maligned luncheon meat.If you like Spam, you'll like this book.

Spam is sexy meat!

An inspiring and sensual book. Full of rollicking good fun and a wild scents of humor. If you like poetry both absurd and sublime--check it out. You won't be able to resist writing a few yourself.When the moon is pink, I am full of emptiness, And miss you like Spam.

Delicious!

"Spam-ku: Tranquil Reflections on Luncheon Loaf" incorporates all that is traditional, natural and Japanese. The poetry is moving, the imagery delightful and the language eloquent...even for the description of SPAM.Purists (SPAM purists, that is) will be moved to tears (of laughter) by this witty collection of poetry. It is definitely worth sinking your teeth into, literally.Shellery