Year: 2017

Cloudcatchers Ginko No.45 (autumn)

Brunswick River NSW           Thursday 6 April 2017

Amid the anguish of the flooding caused by Cyclone Debbie, the Cloudcatchers group on the Far North Coast of New South Wales held its autumn ginko on Thursday 6 April. Some of the members had suffered damage to home and property, some were cut off for days by flood waters, experienced power blackouts, and some were still involved with the arduous and heartbreaking job of cleaning up.

The visit to this venue had been planned for over eighteen months. We were anxious to repeat an experience shared in 2011 of exploring the mangrove tidal flats of the Brunswick River, 40 km north of Ballina. For this we needed a low tide at the right time of day, on the right day of the week, in the right month of the season. Eventually the date was established, but after weeks of heavy winds, rain and flooding, the gathering was in doubt. Continue reading “Cloudcatchers Ginko No.45 (autumn)”

Winner of AHS Autumn 2017 Haiga Kukai: Non Seasonal

 

key

wet weekend . . .
my grandfather’s life
unfolds

 Joanne Watcyn-Jones

 First Place

My final selection of poems all feature links to the interesting collection in the image. We keep things close to us for all sorts of reasons and this theme is explored by the poets in different ways. I selected Joanne Watcyn-Jones’ haiku for the different levels of linking and the succinct language she uses. Many of us can evoke a memory of doing such a thing on a wet day. The haiku and image work together seamlessly to bring about a collaboration that  goes to another level. Each one is also capable of standing alone, which is an essential ingredient of a good haiga. Continue reading “Winner of AHS Autumn 2017 Haiga Kukai: Non Seasonal”

Winner of Autumn 2017 AHS Haiga Kukai: Seasonal

Park (002)

autumn rain
the blurred pattern
of falling light

 Jenny Fraser

First Place

I really enjoyed the mood and interplay of light suggested in this haiku. It works very well with the image and sets the scene to explore the different layers in the haiku and the B&W image. There is also a clever use of language and ‘falling light’ and ‘blurred patterns’ capture the feeling right away and draw one into the scene. Jenny Fraser has written a fine haiku that combines very well with the image to create a successful haiga. Continue reading “Winner of Autumn 2017 AHS Haiga Kukai: Seasonal”

A Message from the President

I would like to send a message of support to all our members in Queensland and northern NSW in the aftermath of Cyclone Debbie and in this time of extreme flooding.  We sincerely hope that you and your families remain safe and well.

In happier news, March has been an exciting month for haiku in Australia.  The month began with Roberta Beary’s visit to Sydney, then Melbourne, meeting haiku poets in both cities.  Roberta is the Roving Ambassador for the Haiku Foundation this year.  Penny Harter, another distinguished American haiku poet, met poets in Melbourne. Continue reading “A Message from the President”