It was a stunning winter’s day for the Paperbark Winter Ginko, held in the little township of Guildford Western Australia, just a half hour drive from the city. Guildford is one of Perth’s oldest towns, layered with history, antique shops, and little cafes. A record group of 13 haiku enthusiasts met at one of these cafes in James Street. We sat outside discussing haiku and enjoying winter sun.
As some of the participants were relatively new to haiku, Coral Carter started with the guidelines for Creatrix Haiku online. There was time for questions, and the excitement grew as we read and unpacked some haiku to get us into a haiku mind. Soon we were out walking, down the side streets, across the road, at the station, and observing the second-hand book store near where we started, then back for more discussions on what we found! A wonderful event! Thanks, Coral; everyone agreed it was an enjoyable day. Some even lingered to spend more time in Guildford.
Rose van Son
Top left: Tash Adams, Rose van Son, Mimma Tornatora, Madeleine Tingey, Mar Bucknell, Neil Pattinson (BRiLO), Rauri Jack Hughes, Tom Dauven, Miryana Begovich, Candy Gordon, Mardi May, Coral Carter.
Here are some of the haiku written on the day:
empty buckets—
one still wet with
last night’s rain
Rose van Son
Kookaburra calls
content
the day is done
Miryana Christine Begovich
rock art
not here
just erosion
Barry Sanbrook (is travelling but joins us in spirit)
Fleeting thoughts
I wonder where
those poems go
Tom Dauven
outdoor coffee morning
patrons warm themselves
with lap dogs
Candy Gordon
1897 facade
showing its age
Mardi May
book exchange—
old stories
gathering dust
Gary de Piazzi
stepping inside
taking the puddles
with me
Maureen Sexton (is at home but joins us in spirit)
abandoned shop
a hundred baskets
of longing
Mar Bucknell
bright winter morning
white petalled rose bush
on the broken fence
Madeleine Tingey
quiet back streets—
moss grows
on garden seats
Coral Carter
sun through slats
warms my bones
bonus for the day
Rauri Jack Hughes
Australian Haiku Society 