that moment between
dead brown leaf
and butterfly
Earl Livings
Author: Simon Hanson
Paperbark Spring Ginko, 2021
The Paperbark Spring ginko was held on the morning of November 8th 2021 at the Dome Café in Maylands Western Australia. The event was attended by Rose van Son, Pauline Swift, Candy Gordon, Coral Carter and Barry Sanbrook.
The subject of spring haiku was discussed at some length and several classical Japanese poems were read, haiku by recognised masters such as Hanzan, Etsujin and Kikaku.
Cloudcatchers Ginko #63 (spring)
Virtual Ginko (in our own homes/environs)
Thursday 28 October 2021
Once again illness and the family situations of some members prevented the group from conducting the preferred outdoor seasonal gathering. And once again Robbie Braithwaite stepped forward to organise and conduct the proceedings of a virtual spring ginko, held on the Far North Coast of NSW, on Thursday 28 October 2021.
Eight of us, from seven different locations, thought of everybody else taking part at 9.30 am, and proceeded to maintain silence, to observe and write for at least an hour. A Round Robin followed, with writers submitting haiku for comment. Responses were redistributed by Robbie, with feedback being both positive and constructive.
The photograph below was taken by Robbie, who lives in the Tregeagle area of the Northern Rivers of NSW. Perhaps it is the same all over Australia, but this year, in this area, the display of jacarandas in bloom has been stunning.
Quendryth Young
Bombora October Meeting
Our October meeting was a bit special. Melody, Suzie, Yvonne, Noela, Dawn and Gayle were all able to attend along with Bernie and Peter, and we gathered at the Osprey House Environmental Centre, right alongside the North Pine River. As we tucked into a delicious morning tea provided by Bernie we heard the whistling of the ospreys along with the calls of various other water birds. The boardwalks beckoned, and while sitting in a viewing spot we were privileged to be entertained by two juvenile ospreys practising their diving from the nearby mangroves.
Gayle chose the venue as a place to inspire us and challenge our haiku abilities. We were also asked to think of subjects for future months.
November’s meeting will be the last for the year when we celebrate the year’s poetry efforts with an early Christmas lunch!
Haiku @ The Oaks, Canberra
Tuesday, 9 November 2021
At last, after missing the last two of our monthly gatherings, the easing of lockdown saw us once again beneath the trees at The Oaks. What a joy to see this delightful venue back in full swing with chatting patrons and bustling staff. Even the birds were back in full voice, albeit overdoing their gusto to drown out conversations. The six of us all welcomed each other: Kathy Kituai, Glenys Ferguson, Hazel Hall, Marietta McGregor, Gregory Piko, and Jan Dobb.
Australian Haiku Society 