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Issue 7 Light and Colour
Exciting to have my haiku included in this new Echidna series. ed. by Lynette Arden
My haiku posted on line June 16th 2021
purple iris
bulbs from my mother’s garden
bloom again
Photo:Wanda Amos
Haiku
Windfall: Australian Haiku Issue 9 Review by Simon Hanson
A great review of Windfall Issue 9 and I feel very excited to get a mention in the review and feel proud to be mentioed with such good haikuists.
Windfall: Australian Haiku Issue 9, 2021 – Review
Review by Simon Hanson
How fortunate we are to have a journal like Windfall: Australian Haiku, showcasing as it does, the best of Australian haiku— bringing together familiar and new voices (and the new voices are exciting). This issue, like those before it celebrates many and varied aspects of Australian life in its country, coastal, urban and domestic settings accompanied by a host of perceptive observations around season, landform, flora and fauna and the lives of people.
we slow our stroll
to another time
outback town
Glenys Ferguson
perching magpie
the blackened stump
seamed with ash
Gavin Austin
In reviewing any journal or anthology one is invariably faced with the task of singling out particular poems for mention. There is some discomfort in doing this, made all the more acute in this instance given the quality of the entire collection. Let it be said that one could happily include any of the haiku presented in this issue as worthy of mention here. The inclusions I make here are a means of indicating something of the range of subject and style to be found in the whole issue— and a wonderful issue it is. The real task of selection has of course been done by its editor, Beverley George, choosing and sequencing 63 haiku from some 560 submitted poems, the size of the journal inevitably limiting the number of acceptances to the most outstanding haiku from the many received. We may be assured that the entire process of editing is heartfelt and undertaken with much thought and feeling over many, many weeks— as has been the case with each issue over the past nine years— what a contribution to our haiku community.
colour splashed
on a grey day canvas . . .
rainbow lorikeets
Gwen Bitti
warm breeze from south west
the main and jib on hard
beating to the mark
Brian English
An editor does far more than select and organise work for any given issue. The challenge and value of quality editing is not only to give the published poets a recognised voice but to produce a publication which offers reader enjoyment and a large measure of inspiration for further creativity. Come June and July each year many of us turn our minds to Windfall: Australian Haiku, becoming perhaps a little more attuned than usual to the “…experience of urban and rural life in Australia…”. In revisiting past issues, we might gather amongst other things a sense of what might appeal, refreshed again by the creativities of others. Of course there is the occasion of ‘that moment’behind what we do in writing haiku, but I know also— there are many haiku that are written because of Windfall. Poets only partly own their creations, much of what we do is done with others in mind and always in the larger context of the broader culture of art and poetry, local and further afield, current and historical— and for this I am grateful.
autumn stroll,
on the cement footpath
a gum leaf’s imprint
Samantha Sirimanne Hyde
outdoor pot plants
a sunshower
from the watering can
Judith E. P. Johnson
There are haiku here that speak deeply to the heart, move us in their poignancy.
op shop –
all the teddy bears
sold out
Lyn Reeves
I watched that day
her last walk by the beach
. . . ebbing tide
Colleen Keating
Others of a lighter note add a touch of humour, yet we recognise them as authentic, set in familiar circumstances.
beach picnic
a dog races past with
a ball in its grin
Norma Watts
country show
the pink stickiness
of a child’s smile
Glenys Ferguson
There are those that speak of deep time and turn our minds to the spirituality of this land and the ancient cycle of seasons
red river gums –
guardians of stone stories
in dry hollows
Susan Grant
frog chorus
the rhythm of raindrops
on the pond
Maureen Sexton
And some that may leave one agasp for their sheer beauty
snowy eve
amid cloud tatter
cold stars gleam
Kent Robinson
wood duck
cracking ice puddles
pink dawn
J L Penn
Then there is this gem that in so few words, brings home once again the fleeting nature of things, the passing of time, as the years flash by, evermore quickly so it seems.
in a puddle
for this moment
fast train
John Low
Windfall: Australian Haiku is literally pocket or handbag sized. It couldn’t be easier to take on the bus or train, to the park or garden bench, or when visiting friends. In fact, to take anywhere. With a handsome cover created by Ron C. Moss, the whole booklet beautifully designed and laid out by Matthew C. George and the whole enterprise so ably managed and published by Peter Macrow for his Blue Giraffe Press. And as a nice touch the inside back cover lists an annually updated list of recent Australian Haiku Titles. Pocket sized yes, but huge on stature.
The next issue of Windfall will be the last— it will mark ten years as one of our premier haiku journals; an Australian treasure; something to celebrate…
Simon Hanson
Secretary, Australian Haiku Society
Patterns so easily missed on beach walks Colleen Keating
the still point
the wide expanse of sky and sea
wakes to morning light
seizes the shimmer of dawn
its cerise and gold
reflects in rills of radiance
out to the ocean’s edge.
my poet’s eye turns to small things
easily missed
in the splendour of the scene
miniature patterns
minute designs
still and still moving
molluscs creep unhurriedly
leaving a sand trail
in their wake
runnels of water and sand
find a balance like playing statues
stop as sculptures of model rivers and forests
generosity
the ocean is forever generous
rolling in
like one with arms wide open
taking gently
all that no longer serves
our higher good .
the baggage of worry fear and guilt
are taken carried
and washed away
the sea banishes all morning megrims
clean as the unblemished sand
that i step onto
to join the seagull
that flies in.
seagull
my morning footsteps
are tiny imprints
arrowed
over ruffs of sand
the lift off
pathless
swinging
the compass needle
moves the horizon
always looked at
to never arrive
a hover of blue air
Haiku
late spring walk
along tidal line
joy of bare feet
summer beach walk
how pleasing
with sandals in my hands
the sun flings
a pool of light
on the ocean
White Pebbles Haiku Group – Summer
Our seasonal walk for Summer was held on the 14th December. It is our fourth seasonal walk for the year. We call these walks a ginko from the Japanese idea of a reflective seasonal walk and writing of haiku.
On Saturday the 14th of December the White Pebbles Haiku Group met at the Gosford/Edogawa Commemorative Gardens for a summer ginko and lunch.
Seven White Pebbles’ members attended. Beverley George convened the meeting and welcomed Maire Glacken, Colleen Keating, Verna Rieschild, Gwen Bitti, Samantha Sirimanne Hyde and Kent Robinson.
We met in the café at the Gosford Regional Gallery for refreshment, then proceeded into the garden for our ginko. As per usual, the garden was manicured immaculately. We wandered, quietly jotting images and composing haiku. Through gardenia scent, we became aware of the sound of a cascading waterfall, the melody of which was accompanied by cicada song. Ducks and koi carp that animated the garden’s pond, birthed inspiration for several haiku. The laughter of children pervaded the scene.
After our ginko, we retired to the small lunchroom, which had been reserved for us, thanks to the kindness of The Gosford Regional Gallery, for a post ginko meeting at our customary round table.
A week before, Beverley had supplied us with a work sheet. Each of us shared haiku inspired by this work sheet and found that it was a fine catalyst with which to start our meeting. We then moved on to focus on the results of our ginko. There was a wealth of imagery and inspiring haiku offered. As we sat together in our snug, we worked on images and haiku that needed a little polish. All in all, our rewarding time together was one of camaraderie and learning.
We returned to the café for lunch. A fine time was had by all and with the festive season upon us, we ate, drank and were merry! The consensus was that everyone had immensely enjoyed our summer ginko and all looked forward to meeting again in autumn.
Report by Kent Robinson
White Pebbles Haiku Group – Winter
White Pebbles
Convenor: Beverley George
In the winter poem many of us are familiar with, Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening , the poet stops on the darkest evening of the year, ‘to watch his woods fill up with snow’. Like the poet, Robert Front, the White Pebbles Haiku Group stopped to watch the winter scene unfolding at the Gosford /Edogawa Japanese Gardens on the Central Coast this past Saturday 15th June just a week out from the dark and shortest day of the year (Winter Solticies this year June 20/21st )
We all look forward to our meetings and our winter ‘stopping’ was no exception.
This is our second winter walk together. ; with Beverley George our leader, present were Verna Rieschild, Marilyn Humbert, Maire Glacken. Samantha Hyde, Colleen Keating with a heart-felt apologies from Gail Hennessy and Kent Robinson.
We began our morning with a welcome coffee and catch-up in the cafe sharing some newly published work and thoughts from our ‘homework,’ – a handout that Beverley emailed earlier to help us prepare.
We spent about forty minutes contemplatively moving around the garden, walking, sitting, pondering, jotting down thoughts and ideas for haiku writing; Today the cheeky plowers were busy, their call ringing out continuously. Lingering leaves from the maple trees were drifting down many children were feeding the the koi , ducks were active catching most of the food and the light playful nature of the children reminded us winter is only a season not an age.
Some of the group sat in the open tea room overlooking the white pebble beach, Some took advantage of sitting in the winter sun under the climbing wisteria.
After our ginko (season walk) we are privileged, each visit to enjoy a quiet working space in the Art Gallery and we gathered at the round table to share our writing and work sheets.
Beverley introduced the group to Haiga inspiring us with her beautiful greeting cards. We had all done our homework which was to bring a winter scene and our haiku to go with it and at our sharing time it was enlightening to discuss our work . Next meeting we will continue to work with more haiga.
We marvelled at the rich and varied takings from our winter observations. We are encouraged and affirmed by our sharing. We left inspired in our haiku writing and look forward to our spring meeting Saturday 14th September 2019.
Just one final observation since our Autumn meeting a new gengo (era) has been declared with the new reigning Emperor. Reiwa was announced and is based on the Manyo-shin – Japan’s oldest Anthology of Poems. It means that culture can grow when people sincerely care about each other. What beautiful sentiment and hope for our world.
Some stayed to enjoy the choices from the delicious lunch menu in the cafe.
Colleen Keating ( White Pebbles Haiku Group)
Visit to Cairns and writing poetry with the Grandchildren
Having a few days in Cairns with the Keating,
being there for Josh’s birthday, and having time
with the family especially Lachie and Cammie was fun
and one of the highlights of last month.
My Christmas poem for 2018 was seeded there (on next post)
and I had great fun writing poetry with the boys.
One of our highlights was our walk through the Cairns Botanical Gardens
Cairns
by Lachlan and Grandma
Cairns
By Lachlan Keating
The thing I like about the tropics
is the vegetation
The coloured leaves amaze me
pink, red, purple and white
mottled, patterned dotted and striped
so you think leaves are only green
with chlorophyll to catch the sun
well come here with us all of you
to the tropics and have some fun
and you will be amazed too.
*********
Two to three
by Lachlan Keating
From our balcony
in the palm tree
last night we saw a nest
With two eggs
This morning
the mother was on the nest
but when she flew off
to sit on a nearby branch
there were three eggs!
( The story didn’t end there. Lo and behold the next morning there were four eggs.
When we did our research we discovered she is a Friar Bird. Friar birds lays one egg a day, laying from two to five eggs. Yet five eggs is very rare. Did we have a rare bird? We waited till this morning and when she left her nest to sit on a nearby branch and sing her morning song there were still four. So she is special but not rare . Now she will sit for many hours a day to incubate the eggs and they will hatch in about 28 days. I wish we could stay in our Air B&B till then but we have to leave this beautiful sight at the end of the week. Maybe the next guests will enjoy the developments )
The Blue Balloon
The Blue Balloon
by Lachlan Keating
In the pool
we had a blue balloon
we blew it up
got the end
and pulled it down
half way under the water
and we let it go
wham!
it flew up into the sky
we got a shock it went so high!
Tricking Grandma
by Cameron Keating
When Grandma was resting
on the towel
I snuck over to the pool
and filled my balloon up
with water and air
then I crept back
over to Grandma
and squeezed
the balloon really hard
and sprayed water
all over Grandma.
Waterfalls
by Grandma, Lachie and Cammie
We swim in the cold wet gorges
and it is fun,
diving and jumping off rocks,
playing in the sun.
Splashing under waterfalls
resting on warm ledges
we listen out for bird calls.
The sign says no crocodiles
for miles and miles and miles,
but we still look out
and keep our eye about.
When you swim in gorges
in the month of May
the splashing water falling
is lots and lots of fun
jumping in in such a ball
but later, some say
when the dry comes in
and there is a very hot sun
it would be a miracle
to see a cascading waterfall
Territory Day
by Lachlan and Cameron Keating
edited and typed by Grandma
Alice was on fire
on Territory Day.
Boom buzz bang
wham whiz whirl
kabam pop bomb
surprises
twist and twirl
the sky lit up
red like fire
purple like blueberries
green like grass
and blue too
it was such fun
all colours of the rainbow
orange and yellow too
like stars and balls of sun.
****
Both boys having been learning about Haiku
( A small poem originating in Japan.) It consists of three lines
Line 1 has a beat of 5
Line 2 has a beat of 7 and
Line 3 has a beat of 5
This is good for the boys as they learn to count the number of beats
and to think of a story and have the discipline of the form. However Modern Haiku like to write less then 5 – 7 – 5.
The first two Haiku were written by the boys for their home schooling.
Birds
flocks of colour glide
wings flapping swooping diving
flying feathered friends
Lachlan Keating
Water
deep pools of water
floating flowing tingling skin
cold splash kicking fun
Cameron Keating
More haiku by Cammie and Grandma having fun
blue Cassowary
in the Daintree National Park
walking on our track
***
Cassowary bird
you surprised us in the bush
with your tiny chick
***
munching little fish
an humongous crocodile
while we were watching
***
vicious crocodile
with sharp teeth and scaly skin
we won’t swim with you
***
scary crocodile
we know you are hiding
in that swimming hole