Sharing a Haiku for NaHaiWriMo - day twenty-eight

I'm writing a haiku a day for NaHaiWriMo offline. Here at Swimming in Lines of Haiku I'm sharing one of my published haiku each day:


thinking of you -
the light
on a paua shell


Published in Kokako 10 (April, 2009)
Also appeared in the Waiariki Institute of Technology 2010 Calendar

Sharing a Haiku for NaHaiWriMo - day twenty-seven

I'm writing a haiku a day for NaHaiWriMo offline. Here at Swimming in Lines of Haiku I'm sharing one of my published haiku each day:


waka taua -
paua eyes reflect
the afternoon midges


Published in the taste of nashi New Zealand Haiku (Windrift, 2008)

A Way to Support Christchurch as well as Our Writers & Artists

The children's picture book Quaky Cat written by Diana Noonan and illustrated by Gavin Bishop (a Christchurch resident) was put together after the last Christchurch earthquake, which struck September 4, 2010.

It was produced using all Christchurch businesses and 50% of the net profits from the sale of this book will be donated to Christchurch charities.

Find out more about Quaky Cat here including where some of the proceeds from sales are donated. And purchase it from Fishpond here. I brought a copy for the young ones in my family on Friday.

Sharing a Haiku for NaHaiWriMo - day twenty-six

I'm writing a haiku a day for NaHaiWriMo offline. Here at Swimming in Lines of Haiku I'm sharing one of my published haiku each day:


perfectly pressed
between the pages
a mosquito


Published in Kokako 11 (September, 2009)

The Devastation of Earthquake and Processing Through Poetry

Christchurch, in New Zealand's South Island, suffered a major earthquake this week.

Many people are displaced, injured, missing or deceased.

Many buildings are battered and broken, streets ripped apart, possessions lost forever.

I have been deeply moved by this event, although I'm not in the earthquake zone and am safe.

A chest x-ray I'd had recently came back clear this week: a small victory for me on my medical journey.

But all I kept thinking was of those in Christchurch who are just beginning their life-changing journey through the medical system with spinal injuries, amputations, and so on.

May they receive the same excellent level of care and attention that I received (and am still) on my journey through leukaemia.

Poetry has played a part in my healing process, and poems have already begun emerging from the earthquake rubble: one here by haiku poet Dick Whyte.

I have written a tanka and sent it in to Haiku News, and am sure I'll write more poems as the full extent of the tragedy unfolds for us all.

Pacific Poets, which meets next Sunday in Papamoa, will be sharing our grief at the devastation through poetry also.

I welcome you in sharing your poems in response to the Christchurch earthquake in the comments section of this post. (See 'comments' below for haiku from me and several by Michael Dylan Welch)

Information about how the poets in our haiku family are doing can be found here on Haiku NewZ. Thank you, Sandra Simpson, for keeping this updated.

Sending much hope and many prayers to the people of Christchurch and all affected by this disaster. Kia kaha.

Sharing a Haiku for NaHaiWriMo - day twenty-five

I'm writing a haiku a day for NaHaiWriMo offline. Here at Swimming in Lines of Haiku I'm sharing one of my published haiku each day:

he leaves in an ambulance -

the chrysanthemum buds

closed tight

Third Place, Katikati Haiku Contest 2010
Published in Katikati Advertiser (Wednesday, June 16, 2010)

Sharing a Haiku for NaHaiWriMo - day twenty-four

I'm writing a haiku a day for NaHaiWriMo offline. Here at Swimming in Lines of Haiku I'm sharing one of my published haiku each day:


as our laughter dies...
the sound of a thrush
hitting the window


Published in Kokako 10 (April, 2009)

Frogpond Submissions Open for Spring/Summer Issue

The submission period for Frogpond is open from February 15 to April 15.

All submissions must be original, unpublished work that is not under consideration by a print or web-based journal. Full submission guidelines here.

Editor George Swede says via Facebook, "While posts on Internet sites such as Facebook or Twitter are eligible, posts on blogs are not."

I submitted to Frogpond for the first time last week, which was my submission for week 7 of 2011.

Sharing a Haiku for NaHaiWriMo - day twenty-three

I'm writing a haiku a day for NaHaiWriMo offline. Here at Swimming in Lines of Haiku I'm sharing one of my published haiku each day:


winter afternoon
one empty space
in the library carpark


Honourable Mention, Haiku International Association Haiku Contest 2009
Published in HI Journal (Japan, 2009)

Sharing a Haiku for NaHaiWriMo - day twenty-two

I'm writing a haiku a day for NaHaiWriMo offline. Here at Swimming in Lines of Haiku I'm sharing one of my published haiku each day:


pressed against the window
bougainvillea flowers
& the neighbour's cat


Published in Valley Micropress Vol.12 Iss.5 (June/July, 2009)

Call for Haiga: Deadline 25 February

Red Moon Press announces a call for haiga submissions through the rest of the month for consideration of publication in contemporary haibun Volume 12. contemporary haibun has published 16-32 haiga in each of its first 11 issues and looks to continue this tradition.

Submissions should be limited to 4 per contributor, and should be 300 dpi. Either jpg or tiff format is fine.

Snailmail submissions are also welcome but because of the timeline must be received by 25 February 2011 to be considered.

Email submissions to jim (dot) kacian (at) redmoonpress (dot) com, making the usual substitutions, or snailmail to Red Moon Press, PO Box 2461, Winchester VA 22604-1661 USA.

Sharing a Haiku for NaHaiWriMo - day twenty-one

I'm writing a haiku a day for NaHaiWriMo offline. Here at Swimming in Lines of Haiku I'm sharing one of my published haiku each day:


as I begin
to sing in my head
the sparrows scatter


Published in Kokako 9 (September, 2008)

Sharing a Haiku for NaHaiWriMo - day twenty

I'm writing a haiku a day for NaHaiWriMo offline. Here at Swimming in Lines of Haiku I'm sharing one of my published haiku each day:

marriage ceremony

both wear white

her dress     her dress

Commended, New Zealand Poetry Society International Haiku Competition 2009
Published in moments in the whirlwind (New Zealand Poetry Society Anthology, 2009)

Sharing a Haiku for NaHaiWriMo - day nineteen

I'm writing a haiku a day for NaHaiWriMo offline. Here at Swimming in Lines of Haiku I'm sharing one of my published haiku each day:


autumn rain
the sunflowers stand
without petals


Published in seed packets: an anthology of flower haiku (bottle rockets press, 2010)

Sharing a Haiku for NaHaiWriMo - day eighteen

I'm writing a haiku a day for NaHaiWriMo offline. Here at Swimming in Lines of Haiku I'm sharing one of my published haiku each day:


discussing the weather...
watching his glasses
spot with rain


Published in Bay of Plenty Times (Saturday, March 8, 2008)

Sharing a Haiku for NaHaiWriMo - day seventeen

I'm writing a haiku a day for NaHaiWriMo offline. Here at Swimming in Lines of Haiku I'm sharing one of my published haiku each day:


silence at the halfpike
the skateboarders
sunbathing


Published in a fine line (July, 2008)

Sharing a Haiku for NaHaiWriMo - day sixteen

I'm writing a haiku a day for NaHaiWriMo offline. Here at Swimming in Lines of Haiku I'm sharing one of my published haiku each day:

bowing to the sun

the curve

of a lavender stalk

Published in Valley Micropress Vol.12 Iss.8 (October, 2009)

Sharing a Haiku for NaHaiWriMo - day fifteen

I'm writing a haiku a day for NaHaiWriMo offline. Here at Swimming in Lines of Haiku I'm sharing one of my published haiku each day:


fallen blossoms...
loading empty beehives
on the truck


Published in Kokako 8 (April, 2008)

Half-Way Through Haiku-A-Day: A Confession & A Book I Love

I found things difficult to begin with. I definitely wasn't happy with the haiku I was writing during the first week of NaHaiWriMo.

Why?

It was just so un-inspiring.

Having been excited to return to haiku after the rejuvenating effects of the river of stones challenge, my high was dulled quickly as I struggled with a form I've worked (or should that be 'played') with for over four years.

I needed a kick up the butt!

I got it at the beginning of week two in the form of a spontaneous gift from my beloved...

Haiku Mind: 108 Poems to Cultivate Awareness & Open Your Heart by Patricia Donegan.

It was just what I needed: the book as well as the surprise :)

It leads on perfectly from where my small stone writing left off: bringing my awareness to the outside world and then writing about it as a spiritual practice.

Suddenly my haiku has risen to a new level, and this is exciting!

I'm savouring the book: reading one poem and commentary a day as a meditation (or type of prompt) to set me on a path of awareness and appreciation for nature and how I interact with it, and how I might capture those moments in haiku form.

I highly recommend Haiku Mind. You can read more about it here.

Sharing a Haiku for NaHaiWriMo - day fourteen

I'm writing a haiku a day for NaHaiWriMo offline. Here at Swimming in Lines of Haiku I'm sharing one of my published haiku each day:

between outstretched

t  o  e  s

summer breeze

Published in Before the Sirocco (New Zealand Poetry Society Anthology, 2008)

Sharing a Haiku for NaHaiWriMo - day thirteen

I'm writing a haiku a day for NaHaiWriMo offline. Here at Swimming in Lines of Haiku I'm sharing one of my published haiku each day:


back and forth
this faded hospital curtain
the scent of daphne


Published in seed packets: an anthology of flower haiku (bottle rockets press, 2010)

Sharing a Haiku for NaHaiWriMo - day twelve

I'm writing a haiku a day for NaHaiWriMo offline. Here at Swimming in Lines of Haiku I'm sharing one of my published haiku each day:


suspended
from an evening cloud -
the mountain


Published in the taste of nashi New Zealand Haiku (Windrift, 2008)

Sharing a Haiku for NaHaiWriMo - day eleven

I'm writing a haiku a day for NaHaiWriMo offline. Here at Swimming in Lines of Haiku I'm sharing one of my published haiku each day:


motorway shoulder
the bright blue
of a pukeko


Published in Bay of Plenty Times (Saturday, March 8, 2008)

Four and Twenty Calling for Poetry Submissions

Four and Twenty, an online short form poetry journal edited by Vinnie Kinsella, is calling for submissions for its annual double issue out in April for National Poetry Month.

See the full submission guidelines including the online submission form, information on rights and permissions and the submission calendar.

They are also looking for cover art for multiple upcoming issues, check out the guidelines here. The January issue of Four and Twenty featured my image on the cover, you can see it here.

I haven't yet submitted any poetry to Four and Twenty so will look at making that one of my submissions for this month.

Sharing a Haiku for NaHaiWriMo - day ten

I'm writing a haiku a day for NaHaiWriMo offline. Here at Swimming in Lines of Haiku I'm sharing one of my published haiku each day:


walking to therapy -
her step slows
past the rose bush


Published in a fine line (September, 2009)

Sharing a Haiku for NaHaiWriMo - day nine

I'm writing a haiku a day for NaHaiWriMo offline. Here at Swimming in Lines of Haiku I'm sharing one of my published haiku each day:


teaching haiku -
all the children
raise their hands


Published in Valley Micropress Vol.12 Iss.5 (June/July, 2009)

Sharing a Haiku for NaHaiWriMo - day eight

I'm writing a haiku a day for NaHaiWriMo offline. Here at Swimming in Lines of Haiku I'm sharing one of my published haiku each day:


wind pushes
through dry fields
the caravan sways


Published in Kokako 7 (September, 2007)

Sharing a Haiku for NaHaiWriMo - day seven

I'm writing a haiku a day for NaHaiWriMo offline. Here at Swimming in Lines of Haiku I'm sharing one of my published haiku each day:


power outage
he show me
Orion's belt


Published in across the fingerboards (New Zealand Poetry Society Anthology, 2010)

Takahe Magazine Photo Bank

Takahe magazine is extending its Arts element by introducing a small number of photographs, when space allows, and are setting up a photo-bank to this end.

They invite photographers to submit black and white photographs (300dpi). Please submit jpg files and include contact details. For submission guidelines go here.

Published images will be appropriately attributed.  Copyright will remain with the photographer following publication. Takahe are unable to make payment for photographs at this stage.

Sharing a Haiku for NaHaiWriMo - day six

I'm writing a haiku a day for NaHaiWriMo offline. Here at Swimming in Lines of Haiku I'm sharing one of my published haiku each day:


under the chrysanthemum pot     different lengths of w o r m


Published in seed packets: an anthology of flower haiku (bottle rockets press, 2010)

Sharing a Haiku for NaHaiWriMo - day five

I'm writing a haiku a day for NaHaiWriMo offline. Here at Swimming in Lines of Haiku I'm sharing one of my published haiku each day:


holding my breath
the butterfly lands
on her finger


Published in the taste of nashi New Zealand Haiku (Windrift, 2008)

Sharing a Haiku for NaHaiWriMo - day four

I'm writing a haiku a day for NaHaiWriMo offline. Here at Swimming in Lines of Haiku I'm sharing one of my published haiku each day:


a thrush perched
halfway up
the tree's shadow


Published in Bravado 19 (July, 2010)

January Round-Up - What a Month!

A warm welcome to my new readers and all those that have popped in over the course of January - international small stones writing month. I greatly appreciate your comments, and ticking of the 'like' and 'cool' boxes at the bottom of my posts :)

I've loved writing a small stone a day and adding it to the river, and have benefited greatly both mentally and spiritually from doing so. At the same time, I wrote up my small stones in my Mslexia Writer's Diary: a diary I bought for the first time this year and am so glad I did; highly recommend!

I've also enjoyed stopping into other stoners' blogs who I may not have found if it wasn't for this challenge, and I thank you all for sharing your stones. I look forward to submitting my ten best stones this month, and eventually reading many others' in the book to be put together by Fiona Robyn.

January saw me make a goal of submitting poetry to a publication or competition every week for 2011. Here's how I'm doing:

• week one - submitted six tanka to Eucalpyt (first time submitting here) won't hear outcome until after March 31st submission deadline for Issue 10
• week two - submitted one senryu to Haiku News (second time submitting here) was accepted, you can read it here
• week three - submitted five haiku and three tanka to Kokako; had two haiku and one tanka accepted for Issue 14, April 2011
• week four - submitted to Snapshot Press Haiku Calendar Competition (first time submitting here) results will be announced March 31st

I also created a 'My Photography' page here at Swimming in Lines of Haiku, and submitted images to (all for the first time):

• Four and Twenty (online short form poetry journal) - my image was chosen as the cover art for the January issue
• The Bay News 'Weather Photo' Page
• The Bay News 'Holiday Photo Competition' - closes Feb 4th
• And I'm very excited to have been asked to provide cover art for the next issue of Kokako (Issue 15, September 2011) Many thanks, Pat :)

I've continued making collage-style haiga for my collection: four this month, to make a total of twenty-three. I have written two new tanka so far this year for the collection, and still have several haiku and tanka already written to turn into haiga.

I had the opportunity to show them to my local fellow haiku writers at a small gathering in Tauranga on the 29th, which resulted in some good feedback. I'll carry on with this project while it still has meaning for me and the creative process brings me great joy.

January is extra special too because I made it to my first 100 blog posts! Thanks again to all those who have come along for the ride :)

So as you can see, there has been lots of great things happening for me, alongside my continuing treatment for leukaemia. Roll on February!

Sharing a Haiku for NaHaiWriMo - day three

I'm writing a haiku a day for NaHaiWriMo offline. Here at Swimming in Lines of Haiku I'm sharing one of my published haiku each day:


shirtless
he weeds
between the gravestones


Published in moonset (2010 Final Issue - Edition 6 / Number 1)

Sharing a Haiku for NaHaiWriMo - day two

I'm writing a haiku a day for NaHaiWriMo offline. Here at Swimming in Lines of Haiku I'm sharing one of my published haiku each day:


emergency waiting room
folded magazine
for a pillow


Published in Magazine Six (November, 2008)

Sharing a Haiku for NaHaiWriMo - day one

I'm writing a haiku a day for NaHaiWriMo offline. Here at Swimming in Lines of Haiku I'm sharing one of my published haiku each day:


navigating
these country roads
the curl of her hair


Highly Commended, New Zealand Poetry Society International Haiku Competition 2008
Published in Before the Sirocco (New Zealand Poetry Society Anthology, 2008)

Hello February and NaHaiWriMo!

February is National Haiku Writing Month or NaHaiWriMo and has been set up by acclaimed haiku poet Michael Dylan Welch.

I will be writing a haiku a day in February "...the shortest month- for the world's shortest form of poetry" in my Mslexia Writer's Diary. I hope to come up with some stellars now that I've re-honed my observation skills with a river of stones.

Here on Swimming in Lines of Haiku I will post one of my print published haiku each day for your reading pleasure. I hope you will stop by to enjoy the fun, and maybe share a haiku of your own.

I'll still be posting any good competitions, publications, books, etc., that I come across - so stay tunned. And a wrap-up of January is coming soon!