Thursday 12 October 2023
Spring sunshine, carolling currawongs and a table for six beneath shady trees. A full house @ The Oaks this month—Kathy Kituai, Hazel Hall, Marietta McGregor, Glenys Ferguson, Gregory Piko and Jan Dobb—all of us ready for this month’s spell of lunch, chat and friendship. With haiku well in the mix, of course.
Not surprisingly, a couple of copies of under the same moon were extracted from bags and appreciation expressed of the Fourth Australian Haiku Anthology. Our congratulations to the editors and all involved in this delightful and significant publication.
Marietta had kindly reproduced for us copies of a trifold announcing the results of ‘Small Wonders’ Haiku Contest 2023, sponsored by Katonah Poetry and judged by Scott Mason. Poems by place-getters and honourable mentions were read aloud and remarked upon, all of us impressed by the standard of these stunning haiku. Among the poets was our Marietta, the only non-American! A digital version can be found on the Katonah Poetry website.
As several of us had admired Greg’s write-up on his website of Jennifer Hambrick’s Joyride, Greg had brought the book along for us to browse. Jennifer’s creative approaches to haibun evoked some fascinated comment. Again too, here was a book that was thoughtfully produced and felt pleasant to handle.
Kathy, who facilitates occasional labyrinth meditations, invited us to contribute some spring haiku for participants to ponder during her next morning. A gentle and loving way to share our haiku. . .
Perhaps it was not surprising, given the date, that conversation wandered to the imminent referendum. Beneath the spring-green trees on this peaceful haiku afternoon, we considered the unfolding situation of the preceding weeks. Friendship in haiku embraces the wider world.
Jan Dobb
Australian Haiku Society 