The authors of these haiku --the Soul Session Poets--are people with dementia. Led by their Coordinator of Spiritual Care, Marjorie Woodbridge and poet Philomene Kocher, they were encouraged to articulate feelings sparked by seasonal objects brought to hour-long encounters called “soul sessions.” Their remarks were recorded on a flip chart and assembled into haiku with the participation of the whole group. Kocher used several such sessions as the research basis for her master’s thesis in Education, " 'Their Capacity to Delight': Knowing Persons with Dementia Through Haiku" (Queen’s U 2008). In this work, she describes the method, context, and palpable enjoyment of the group.

Reminsicent of the research of Anne Basting who has explored narrative in dementia care, this little book is a tribute to the resilience of emotional integrity, humour, and creativity in people with dementia. It also reminds us of the value of the arts in their care.