News of my First place in the New Zealand Poetry Society International Haiku Contest came while I was away, so exciting. Unfortunately, I can’t share the haiku with you just yet as NZPS has first publication rights and the anthology won’t be out until November. I also received one Highly Commended and one Commended. Big thanks to judge Katherine Raine and contest organiser Laurice Gilbert.
Katherine has written a Haiku Checklist for those new to haiku or teaching themselves. It’s well worth a read.
Waiting for me at home was Presence 61, another fine edition out of the UK.
coming to rest
on a nameless headstone
a slice of sun
– Patricia Prime
summer heat
the snap and crackle
of broom seeds
– Owen Bullock
genocide museum –
a pair of swallows
hunt for a way out
– Sandra Simpson
And Kokako 29 arrived in the letterbox yesterday – Pat Prime is co-editor of the journal, along with Margaret Beverland. The cover photo of two laughing kimono-clad Japanese women was taken by me at the teahouse in Hama Rikyu gardens, Tokyo (the back cover information is correct, that on P2 not so much!).
It was one of those moments when our eyes connected and it all fell into place. Photo: Sandra Simpson
a photo reveals
what they didn’t notice then
ash on his face
– Celia Hope
speedwell by the path losing herself in blueness
– Barbara Strang
deepening cyclone –
the beekeeper’s
flowery language
– Sandra Simpson
Yes, these are all New Zealand poets. Not bad, eh?
breath, a collection of haiku 