Report by Ruari Jack Hughes
A very enthusiastic group of eleven met in the alfresco area of the Art Gallery of WA cafe on a cold Perth morning but fortunately there was little rain. The discussion was led by Rose van Son on Wednesday 20th August.
Image: Rose van Son
There was initial discussion on some specific aspects of haiku, especially looking at the way this poetic form lends itself to singular observations. The sound of the verse read aloud was felt to be important in accessing the whole meaning of the words. Indeed, some people thought this quality of haiku is the most important.
Some new people had joined the group and were delighted to gather so much useful insight to haiku writing from those who have had longer experience with this genre.
A selection of haiku writing from Japan, America and other locations as well as local pieces was shared to demonstrate some of the various ways haiku can express, in very simple yet often profound manner, what a writer has seen or heard.
The majority of poets from the group wandered off in separate directions for about half an hour seeking inspiration for writing some new haiku and returned with some exciting words for all to consider.
Very near where we were seated there has been, until recently, a lovely wetland feature standing between the Art Gallery, the State Library and the Museum. Unfortunately, this has been filled in as part of major redevelopment of the area. A number of people wrote haiku to comment on what they felt is a very sad situation.
Several of those at the meeting submitted sample haiku which they wrote on the day:
construction hoarding
what lies beyond
wetlands no longer
Neil J Pattinson
winter
train stop cafe
no ice cream sales
Coral Carter
so young
her face
pure light
Gary De Piazzi
excited chatter
of two-year-old fairy queen
winter sunburst
Liz Nicholls
running late
the sound of my train
leaving
Mardi May
winter waves crash
hold me down underneath
this could be the end
Aileen Hawkes
kerbside
a purpled pigeon
politicking
Daniel Dowsett
river gum
forks to the sky
tuning the wind
Ruari Jack Hughes
Australian Haiku Society 