Category: Haiku @ The Oaks

Haiku @ The Oaks

On a sunny Canberra autumn Thursday 13th March, a smaller group of haiku poets than usual met for lunch and discussions under the trees at The Oaks Brasserie, Yarralumla. Around the table were Hazel Hall, Kathy Kituai, Greg Piko and Marietta McGregor. Glenys Ferguson and Jan Dobb were unable to attend and their enthusiastic participation was missed this time. Talk at first turned to poetry in general, with reminiscences about first moments of reading work to an audience, sometimes many years ago in individuals’ writing lives, and the feelings engendered on those occasions.

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Haiku @ The Oaks, Canberra

Thursday, 10th October 2024

Many voices mingled beneath the trees on a sunny spring day, those of the numerous currawongs and magpies claiming dominance over those of human diners.  Four of us met over lunch: Kathy Kituai, Marietta McGregor, Glenys Ferguson and Jan Dobb.  Our thoughts were with missing friends, Hazel Hall and Greg Piko. 

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Haiku @ The Oaks, Canberra

August 2024

Again, we gathered around an inside table @ The Oaks, the breeze still too chilly for lunch outside. Perhaps we may celebrate spring next month with a session beneath the leafy trees? Glenys Ferguson, Gregory Piko, Marietta McGregor and Jan Dobb exchanged warm greetings. This time, we missed the company of Hazel Hall and Kathy Kituai.

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Haiku @ The Oaks, Canberra

Thursday 9 May 2024

A showery day, so no trees and magpies for us this time. Instead we enjoyed the cosiness of a table inside with a view of dripping leaves beyond the window. Four of us settled in—Hazel Hall, Gregory Piko, Marietta McGregor, Jan Dobb—and we missed Kathy Kituai and Glenys Ferguson.

As usual we chatted informally, noting the bond that has developed since the six of us first came together, a number of years ago, to share our journeys with haiku. We appreciated the continuing contribution of Marietta’s photography to the enhancement of Echidna Tracks; a sensitive visual reflection of ET’s Australian essence. Consequently, we felt a growing concern about the recent intrusion of AI and its threat of producing mere universal images.

The highlight of the afternoon was our welcome back to Greg who has been absent from our recent get-togethers. Greg has been in Japan. He intrigued us with thoughtfully prepared travel tales about finding himself ‘in the steps of Basho’—though not consciously looking for them! His delightful and inspiring presentation evoked enthusiastic response. Thanks a lot Greg. We, too, enjoyed the journey.

Until next time. . .

Jan Dobb

Haiku @ The Oaks, Canberra

Thursday, 11 January 2024

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