Although having given up on summer, our group risked gathering outdoors for a breakfast meeting near the Portarlington Pier. Twenty degrees and a light but cool breeze were no deterrent as we shared an array of breakfast goodies before we got down to business.
Continue reading “Portarlington Haiku Society”So good to be back together in the shade of bird-busy oaks —Kathy Kituai, Glenys Ferguson, Hazel Hall, Greg Piko and Jan Dobb. We missed Marietta MacGregor, who was out of town
With a new year starting up, it seemed appropriate to assess any ‘suggestions, preferences, or complaints’ about our direction for the future months. Immediate unanimity—keep going just the way we are! Our unstructured informality suits very well indeed. Accordingly, we got under way. . .
Due to our curiosity at a previous gathering when Hazel spoke of Sedoka, she had kindly prepared a detailed introduction for us, complete with examples and notes to take away and ponder at leisure. . . and maybe have a go at writing? A lively discussion was immediately under way. For most of us this old Japanese form is new territory, even though it incorporates some familiar techniques. Again, we admired Hazel’s explorations of—and her beautiful writing of—the less familiar forms. She urged us to visit the Songbirds Sedoka Journal on the UHTS website.
Jan then produced a small book with yellowing pages that she had picked up by chance at a second-hand book fair—James Hackett: Haiku Poetry, volume three (1968). As the book was passed around the table and various examples of Hackett’s verse were read aloud, the subsequent history and development of English language haiku became apparent. However, we did wonder at times whether some of the ‘old’ ways are re-appearing today as ‘acceptable’ after all. Haiku remains fluid. Hackett’s sense of wonder at things ordinary is obvious and, at times, Issa-like. An early pioneer to be valued as ELH continues to evolve.
As we leave the table, the currawongs descend for their round of spirited interchange—this time it’s all about cold chips!
Jan Dobb
Editor Steliana Voicu is currently calling for submissions for Issue 6 of Enchanted Garden Haiku Journal, with the theme of ‘Urban Blossoms’ – city in spring. Submissions close on 20th January, with a planned publication date of 14th February. Please see the current submission page for all the details.
The calendar for themes, submission periods and publication dates for 2024 is now available on the calendar page – scroll down to Issue 6 for the start of the 2024 calendar.
During January you are invited to submit your haiku to the 2024 “aha” (Annual Hortensia Anderson) Haiku Contest.
Continue reading “Entries now open for the Annual Hortensia Anderson Haiku Contest”Convenor Leanne Mumford invites Sydney haiku poets of all levels of experience to participate in the next Gadigal Ginko from 10am on Saturday 3rd February 2024 in Centennial Park. Visit Leanne’s Gadigal Ginko webpage for further details, including the registration form. If you’d like to join in this summer ginko, please register by 12pm Thursday 1st February to receive details of the exact meeting point and alternative arrangements in case of unsuitable weather.
The Baw Baw Arts Alliance – in West Gippsland, Victoria – is proud to announce the online release of the first edition of Catchment – Poetry of Place, accessible through this link:
https://bawbawartsalliance.org.au/Catchment
Readers will find tanka from just under two dozen Australian poets, as well as a range of longer pieces. Submissions have come from all over Australia, with a sense of place also showing through in work inspired by international locations. Catchment proudly presents poetry from Japanese and Western cultural traditions in parallel, while likewise offering work by emerging writers, alongside contributions from established poets.
Rodney Williams
Editor
Lilly Sievers is collecting more haiku for her ongoing column in the Urasenke Sydney magazine. She would like to express her gratitude to the Australian Haiku Society members for their previous contributions and would be delighted to feature more Australian haiku in the Urasenke magazine.
Continue reading “Urasenke Sydney Haiku Collaboration “There were six of us present: our convener Carol Reynolds, Ros Pitt, Rita Potente, Alison Miller, Patricia Meredith and Margaret Mahony, for the meeting held in Carol’s home.
Continue reading “Illawong Haiku Group Meeting”
Australian Haiku Society 