The Fringe Myrtles said goodbye to the winter of 2020 (a winter of some discontent) with yet another COVID-19 lockdown-enforced Zoom meeting held on the last Sunday of August. And it was another typically lively and collaborative affair, highlighted by engrossing discussions and the sharing of original haiku.
News
Members’ News August 2020
Spring Equinox Haiku String
The signs of spring are most definitely all around—in the greater frequency of sunnier days, in the plants and trees and in the activities of a whole range of insects, animals and birds. The Spring Equinox falls on September 22nd in the Southern Hemisphere this year and to celebrate, the Australian Haiku Society will host a Haiku String on and around that date. Everyone is invited to participate and we look forward to your offerings. A submission form will be made available on the website at the time of the equinox. More information will be posted to the website soon including the announcement of a theme.
among jacaranda petals
two condoms
— spring again
Katherine Samuelowicz
the postman speeds
past my house
st valentine’s day
Myron Lysenko
Paperbark Haiku WA, Zoom Winter Ginko
On a glorious winter’s day, 5th August, 2020, in Perth, Western Australia, I contemplated the healing power of the sun as it entered my study windows through thin vertical blinds. Outside, the succulents were busy showing off their light and shade, their colour and variation; inside, I was preparing for the two hour Paperbark Haiku Zoom Winter Ginko gathering.
Cloudcatchers Ginko #58 (winter)
Bangalow Weir, Far North Coast NSW
Thursday 30 July 2020
There was some hesitation regarding whether we could assemble during these times of social restrictions, but we found a way. Our winter ginko was held at an inland waterway (to avoid the chilly winter winds by the beach) and we were blessed with gentle sunshine.
There were seven of us who practiced social distancing. Each brought a folding chair, and we sat in the sun around a picnic table. No hugs, no touching, no books exchanged, no nibbles passed around, plenty of hand-sanitizer, and each brought her own food and drink so we could lunch together. (Strict social distancing was only relaxed for the taking of the photo.) Apart from sliding onto her back-side in wet mud by one of our members and another who went to her aid (there was no harm done) it was a perfect day.
Continue reading “Cloudcatchers Ginko #58 (winter)”
Bombora (North Brisbane) Haiku Group Winter Meeting
Hello to everyone. I extend winter good wishes to you all and hope you are well.
Bombora group is thriving (despite my inexperience) as none of the members are short on enthusiasm. Every meeting is a happy one, with lots of haiku being discussed and analysed. We aim to vary the meetings and our most recent meeting saw us all in a nearby park.
Continue reading “Bombora (North Brisbane) Haiku Group Winter Meeting”
Members’ News July 2020
Congratulations
To Helen Davison for winning First place in the annual Peggy Willis Lyles Haiku Award hosted by The Heron’s Nest and judged this year by Susan Antolin with:
police siren—
a swarm of moths
flat on the wall
Helen Davison
All the selections and judge’s comments can be read here.
Quendryth Young has generously supplied some context to the writing of this haiku…
Windfall: Australian Haiku #9
A reminder that Windfall : Australian Haiku #9 closes for submissions on July 31st 2020. Please observe the submission guidelines shown here on the Australian Haiku Society website.
Australian Haiku Society 