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.
Tuesday, 13 July 2021
Despite blue sky and sunshine, the chill of Canberra’s winter meant another indoor gathering this month. Hot soup and fish & chips were orders of the day as five of us gathered by a heater in The Oaks marquee–Kathy Kituai, Hazel Hall, Marietta McGregor, Glenys Ferguson and Jan Dobb. We missed the cheerful company of Gregory Piko who is out of town just now.
Our greetings and life-sharing included thoughts of Sheila Sondik, our ‘ex officio’ member, who is enduring the horrendous heatwave in north-west US.
Tuesday 13 April 2021
The autumn sun held a hint of chill as we gathered for our monthly chinwag at The Oaks. Around us the seasonal colours were gently on the change. We were all present this time: Kathy Kituai, Glenys Ferguson, Hazel Hall, Gregory Piko, Marietta McGregor and Jan Dobb. Also present was visitor Sue, a house guest of Jan, who was curious to experience some close-up haiku.
Tuesday 9 March 2021
Overhead the currawongs, miners, magpies, cockatoos were in full-throated chorus as we yakked once more beneath the trees at The Oaks. One young magpie even joined in our discussion, warbling from his perch on a spare chair. Five of us were present—Gregory Piko, Marietta McGregor, Hazel Hall, Glenys Ferguson, Jan Dobb. We missed Kathy Kituai this time.
As we settled in over lunch, Hazel congratulated Greg on his impressive reading at the recent Poetry Book Fair.
Tuesday 9 February 2021
A bit of a nip in the summer air as we gathered once again for lunch at an old round wooden table beneath the trees. Although the birds were not quite so vocal this time, our little mob certainly made up for that as we alternated between serious discussion and infectious laughter. Five of us were present–Glenys Ferguson, Gregory Piko, Kathy Kituai, Hazel Hall and Jan Dobb. We missed Marietta McGregor this time.
Tuesday 12 January 2021
Although summer has started to heat up, a breeze beneath shady trees made for a perfect setting as we gathered at The Oaks to begin another year. All were present — Glenys Ferguson, Marietta McGregor, Kathy Kituai, Hazel Hall, Gregory Piko and Jan Dobb — along with a full attendance of vociferous birds!
Over lunch, Greg produced copies of his recently published book breaking my journey, a joy anticipated by us all. Congratulations and sales came thick and fast, as did some spontaneous haiku readings. A striking cover, designed by Ron Moss, opens to a collection of Greg’s haiku (and variants) in an immediately attractive format — an invitation to enter and muse. Our thanks to Greg for sharing his inspiring work in this way. For more details visit Greg’s website here.
Tuesday 8 December 2020
What a celebratory time of friendship as we gathered for the final meet-up of the year! And what’s more, we were a full house: Glenys Ferguson, Kathy Kituai, Hazel Hall, Gregory Piko, Marietta McGregor and Jan Dobb.
As we settled beneath the trees to await our lunch orders, there was an explosion of thanks and good wishes. Out of bags appeared spontaneous little gifts and heartfelt cards which were delivered to-and-fro across a laughing table. Naturally, we found many a haiku tucked thoughtfully inside! When activity simmered down a little, we each read aloud the haiku we’d discovered, before clearing spaces for our lunch.
As conversation buzzed, Greg quietly smiled and produced a show-and-tell–a proof copy of breaking my journey his forthcoming haiku collection to be published by Red Moon Press in the new year. Surprise, surprise! Congratulations and questions flowed for some time. How encouraging, too, that despite the severe disruptions of Covid, haiku publication continues to flourish.
Tuesday 10 November 2020
Lucky again with the weather. So thought many other people! The Oaks was abustle with lunchtime trade beneath the trees. Adding to human chatter was that of the birds who seemed more numerous and up-close than ever, one magpie starting an avian squabble after stealing a chip straight from Hazel’s plate!
We were a smaller group this month, Marietta McGregor and Greg Piko being unable to join us–Hazel Hall, Kathy Kituai, Glenys Ferguson and Jan Dobb.Â
Australian Haiku Society 