Eight poets joined the spring ginko on 8th October 2025 in Kings Park, on a lovely sunny although chilly day. At the height of spring the park was laden with flowers. Armed with a description of the two indigenous spring seasons, and the relevance of the colour yellow, we learned we are experiencing the Noongar season of kambarang.
Continue reading “Paperbark Group Spring/Kambarang Ginko report”The Spring ginko, organised by Paperbark Haiku, was held on 15th October 2024, with a return visit to the Botanic Gardens at Kings Park in Perth. It was a glorious day, the weather sunny and warm, the views over Perth waters and the high rise of the city making a spectacular backdrop. It was a perfect setting for discussing and writing haiku. The Spring flowers, the towering trees and the memorials of Remembrance all gave the poets plenty of opportunity for inspiration.
Continue reading “Paperbark Haiku Spring Ginko”The Perth-based Paperbark Haiku group met on Friday 3rd May for our autumn ginko in the historic Harold Boas Gardens; an inner-city treasure of a park with winding pools of water, carefully placed boulders reminiscent of a Japanese garden, lush exotic bushes and trees, ducks and ibis and a Monet-style bridge.
An enthusiastic group of seven (Barry Sanbrook, Michael Spark, Jake Dennis, Rita Tognini, Ruari Jack Hughes, Rose van Son and Candy Gordon) met for coffee and an exchange of ideas on the elements of haiku, followed by a
contemplative walk in the gardens. We then shared our writing; some read completed haiku, some had words and thoughts to take home and work on, and all of us enjoyed the exercise, the company and the meditative garden setting on yet another warm, autumn day.
The following are some of our words inspired by nature –
boulders
light and ripples
stroke them
Barry Sanbrook
butterfly without wings
expecting to fly
caterpillars dream
Michael Spark
bird’s nest fern
the hollow fills
with leaves
Rose van Son
butterfly yellow
winging across limpid pools
reflecting wonder
Ruari Jack Hughes
one-legged ducks
yoga pose
better than mine
Candy Gordon
emerald
set in West Perth high-rise
Boas Park
Rita Tognetti
The haiku event previously scheduled for Tuesday 12th November at the State Library in Perth WA has been cancelled. It will be rescheduled for another day on a weekend date yet to be announced. Apologies for any inconvenience.
Maureen Sexton
Maureen Sexton will hold a free workshop in Perth on 2 September: Haiku – Sensing the image. The short, long and short of it!
In this workshop, we will examine the ‘what is’ and ‘how to’ of haiku.
• Entries must be previously unpublished.
• Adult entries are limited to 5 per entrant and must all be on one A4 paper.
• Student entries are limited to 3 per entrant and must all be on one A4 paper.
• The name of the poet must be included at the bottom of the page.
• A separate contact sheet must have name and contact details.
• The contact sheet must also list the first line of each poem.
• Font size to be at least 22pt. Any style is acceptable.
• Entries will be judged purely on the text.
• Any pictures or decorations must fit on the page with the Haiku.
Entries close Thurs 23 August, 5 pm. Winners listed Mon 3 September.
The Creatrix Haiku Editor is Rose van Son.
The Creatrix selectors for haiku are Rose van Son, Meryl Manoy, Amanda Joy, and Gary De Piazzi.
To avoid disappointment, please follow the submission guidelines.
Continue reading “CREATRIX HAIKU JOURNAL WA (posted July 2012)”
8 Week Course with Maureen Sexton
Every Tuesday evening 25th October to 13th December, 7 pm to 9.30 pm
OR
Every Wednesday afternoon 19th October to 7th December, 12.30 pm to 3 pm
Where: The Art House, 63 Railway Avenue, Kelmscott (walking distance from Kelmscott train station
Australian Haiku Society 