Saturday, 31st May, 2025
Nine poets gathered on a cool autumn morning at Sydney Park in St Peters. Two were participating for the first time. After brief introductions, we dispersed to all corners of the park to each undertake our individual ginko.
This Saturday morning, dogs seemed to outnumber humans, perhaps because so many were off-lead, chasing balls, greeting each other and wading through the wetlands where they weren’t supposed to go. Some of these antics made it into our poems.
With its extensive wetlands, lawns, woodland and scrub, Sydney Park also offered plenty of other inspiration. We encountered various birds, tiny arthropods, old fig trees, native plants in flower, and still and flowing water.
Reconvening after an hour, we shared draft poems and engaged in light discussion of some effective haiku techniques. Thanks to Alison Miller, Carol Reynolds, Gabby Higgins, Jane Gibian, Margaret Mahony, Nick O’Connor, Penny Szentkuti and Susan Grant, for joining me.
Leanne Mumford
Convenor
Australian Haiku Society 