Tuesday 28 February, 2017
Our group met again, under the spreading branches at The Oaks in Yarralumla, to enjoy coffee, conversation and each other’s company.
There was appreciation of Marietta McGregor’s wonderful haiku that have featured all month on the Mann Library’s Daily Haiku website, talk of the little things in life and how well they were captured by Issa, there was mention of wabi, reference to sabi and even some talk about topics that didn’t have to do with poetry at all (though they may have inspired a new poem or two).
Copies of A Temple Bell Sounds; the commemorative anthology edited by Beverley George were read and discussed, with everyone agreeing it was one of the most beautifully produced collections they had seen. Glenys Ferguson, Jan Dobb and Kathy Kituai were all proud to have their work included in such a fine volume.
Gregory Piko brought along copies of his new book, written in collaboration with Vanessa Proctor, and titled Blowing Up Balloons: baby poems for parents. If you love babies and haiku then this is the book for you. Details of the forthcoming launches for the book, to be held in Sydney and Yass, are available at www.gregorypiko.com
Greg Piko
Australian Haiku Society 