Tribute to Katherine Samuelowicz
Australian and international haiku poets were saddened this week to hear of the passing of Brisbane poet, Katherine Samuelowicz. Katherine, a talented and free-thinking poet whose haiku, tanka and other poetry was published widely, leaves a huge legacy for Australian haiku, particularly in her role as editor of one of Australian haiku’s most well-known and long running journals, paper wasp (1994-2016).
Katherine’s association with paper wasp began in the early 90’s as a founding member of the paper wasp group which she led for a number of years. From the very first issue of the journal in 1994-95 – a collection of erotic haiku – a feature of Katherine’s editorship was a willingness to engage fresh voices. Many of us are beneficiaries of this attitude, with paper wasp unearthing a generation of Australian as well as international haiku poets.
Katherine was a great supporter of the Australian Haiku Society, serving in its early years as Secretary in 2003-2004. She was a co-editor, along with Janice Bostok and Vanessa Proctor, of the Second Australian Haiku Anthology (2006) and the Third Australian Haiku Anthology (2011) along with Jacqui Murray. In 2013, she also co-edited an anthology of Australian and New Zealand haiku.
Katherine was widely regarded as a generous and compassionate person who enjoyed the company of fellow poets. Her role as a full-time delegate to the 4th Haiku Pacific Rim Conference in 2009 was just one example of this.
Katherine is a significant voice in Australian haiku which deserves to be recognised. Some of Katherine’s publishing details can be found here. The Committee of the Australian Haiku Society wishes to acknowledge her contribution to Australian haiku and express our sincere condolences to Katherine’s family and loved ones.
another glass of wine
twilight carrying
the world away
……..Katherine Samuelowicz
Groups and Gatherings
To catch up on the latest from these regional groups click on the links below.
Echidna Tracks
Just a reminder that Echidna Tracks: Australian Haiku will be open for submissions for Issue 8 throughout the month of October. This issue will have an open theme and the editors are looking forward to reading your work. Once again we will have the pleasure of Gavin Austin as co-editor for the issue. More details will be posted closer to the submission window.
Creatrix Haiku
Closing dates for submissions to Creatrix are:
- 10th February for the March issue
- 10th May for the June issue
- 10th August for the September issue
- 10th November for the December issue
Guidelines and other details can be found here
The Path
Another highly recommended Ron C. Moss & Christopher Herold video collaboration set to music by Morpheus can be found at this link. Enjoy
The haiku that reveals seventy to eighty percent of its subject is good. Those that reveal fifty to sixty percent, we never tire of.
Matsuo Basho
Australian Haiku Society 