Yesterday, I had the absolute pleasure of hosting a ginko (haiku walk) through Karawatha State Forest. Ten of us gathered to revel in the beauty of the summer morning that awaited us and of course, share in the wonder of haiku. So after a pot or two of authentic Japanese green tea (thanks Andrew) and recitations of some of the groups favourite summer haiku, we all set off to walk, and importantly, find a place to be still, to become one with the surroundings.
After an hour and a half of walking, contemplating and sketching from the senses, we gathered again and shared our experience… and some fine haiku were composed as a result. I am excited to share a selection of the group’s poems, along with some photographs by Cindy Keong.
***
lizard
in a shadow
the kookaburra misses
Helen Ross
*
crossroad
i want to go both ways
again
Trish Reid
*
Cindy Keong
*
heavy sun
crow pleads
with the rusted tap
Katherine Battersby
*
cicadas suddenly silent, all the burnt gum trees
Chris Lynch
*
after the storm
one root of the grey gum
my broken toe
Andrew Phillips
*
Cindy Keong
*
flashing sunlight at my eyes butterfly
John Wainwright
*
stubbing my toe
I mimic the crow’s call
Cindy Keong
*
Cindy Keong
*
under a black wing
ants feast
the sky moves on
Andy Smerdon
*
snake weather
he kisses his teenage daughter
on the mouth
David Stavanger
***
The group will now compose a renga, leading off with David’s ‘snake weather’, which was voted the most resonant poem by the group on the day… Am looking forward to sharing that with you in the coming weeks.
Looks like a fruitful walk.
Lovely place to go wandering
I love Helen’s – haha – can just see that Kookaburra dive bombing a shadow. Looks like a very fruitful ginko.
It was a great time. Thanks Graham for all your assistance. I learnt so much, and all the poets were very friendly, and inspiring. There was a lovely vibe. Love the haiku that was created, which work so well with Cindy’s photos. And thanks Gabrielle for the comment.
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Captivating images! And the photos are a perfect fit.
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