I feel like
a walking pharmacy
most days . . .
the seasons change, and yet
my drug regime stays the same
Atlas Poetica, December 2012
Monday, December 31, 2012
Most Days . . .
I feel like
a walking pharmacy
most days . . .
the seasons change, and yet
my drug regime stays the same
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Decemeber Haiku Share: The Week That Was #4
The last full week of Cara Holman's December Haiku Share is complete, and we're now on the home stretch.
Below are the links to the last seven days of posts, and the
haiku, tanka and haiga I've shared along the way. Now that the Christmas rush is over, come and join in for the last few days! You'll find a supportive community of folks sharing their love of haiku and related forms. (Here's the link to the latest prompt - afternoon fog)
storm clouds . . .
can hope be caught
in a spider’s web?
– Kirsten Cliff
can hope be caught
in a spider’s web?
– Kirsten Cliff
NaHaiWriMo August 2012
she advises
I’m at high risk
of a relapse
I breathe in air heavy
with crushed dreams
– Kirsten Cliff
I’m at high risk
of a relapse
I breathe in air heavy
with crushed dreams
– Kirsten Cliff
Moonbathing 6, January 2012
first spring day this breeze her hair
– Kirsten Cliff
– Kirsten Cliff
DailyHaiku Cycle 12, Dec. 12, 2011
he creates
a new centrepiece
for the dining table
a size nine shoebox
full of medications
– Kirsten Cliff
a new centrepiece
for the dining table
a size nine shoebox
full of medications
– Kirsten Cliff
Presence #44, June 2011
on the morning
of her death, I sit
searching
for the small differences
between these wild finches
– Kirsten Cliff
of her death, I sit
searching
for the small differences
between these wild finches
– Kirsten Cliff
~for Svetlana Marisova
Simply Haiku, January 2012
Simply Haiku, January 2012
 |
| (click on image to enlarge) |
– Kirsten Cliff
Notes From the Gean, 3:2, September 2011
dragon fire . . .
the way he moves me
this night
– Kirsten Cliff
the way he moves me
this night
– Kirsten Cliff
The Language of Dragons, January 2012
(Yay Words! project edited by Aubrie Cox)
(Yay Words! project edited by Aubrie Cox)
Friday, December 28, 2012
A Fool's Paradise of Free Holiday Reading
electric blue
beds are burning
like a virgin
“Electric Blue” by Icehouse
“Beds Are Burning” by Midnight Oil
“Like A Virgin” by Madonna
Above is my short found poem from song titles that was published in Aubrie Cox's latest Yay Words! project, Fool's Paradise. You can find out all about it and download your free copy here. Enjoy!
 |
| Fool's Paradise cover by editor Aubrie Cox |
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
O, Christmas Tree . . .
My heartfelt thanks to all this year in the world of haiku who have
supported me over the past 12 months. Sending happy Christmas thoughts
your way today!
To my readers, those that have left comments, and the poets that I've written alongside: Thank you!
To the editors that have published my work, the judges that have chosen my poetry, and those in the community that have sent me gifts through our haiku inspired friendships: Thank you!
May we all remember moving forward into a New Year that haiku is not a mountain to climb, but a bed to relax in.
My wish for you is that you'll be able to write the way you hear the poetry in your heart.
Blessings!
Kirsten x
To my readers, those that have left comments, and the poets that I've written alongside: Thank you!
To the editors that have published my work, the judges that have chosen my poetry, and those in the community that have sent me gifts through our haiku inspired friendships: Thank you!
 |
| Here's our little living Christmas tree 2012 |
May we all remember moving forward into a New Year that haiku is not a mountain to climb, but a bed to relax in.
My wish for you is that you'll be able to write the way you hear the poetry in your heart.
Christmas morning
amongst the pine needles
a spider's gift
Blessings!
Kirsten x
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Decemeber Haiku Share: The Week That Was #3
Another week of Cara Holman's December Haiku Share has past and more participants have joined us in this unique challenge. Below are the links to the last seven days of posts, and the
haiku, tanka and haiga I've shared along the way. Come over and take a look! (Here's the link to the latest prompt - garden spider)
spring tide . . .
a layer of dust
on the condom packet
– Kirsten Cliff
a layer of dust
on the condom packet
– Kirsten Cliff
DailyHaiku, Cycle 12, December 16, 2011
Sea Bandits, September 2012 (Ed. Aubrie Cox)
Sea Bandits, September 2012 (Ed. Aubrie Cox)
the night he left . . .
the many sounds
of summer rain
– Kirsten Cliff
of summer rain
– Kirsten Cliff
DailyHaiku Cycle 12, November 2, 2011
leaf-fall
i finally have
my head shaved
– Kirsten Cliff
i finally have
my head shaved
– Kirsten Cliff
‘All the Words that Mean Cancer’ rengay sequence
with Cara Holman, LYNX 27:3 (October 2012)
one side of the rose
has no petals:
hoping he’ll return,
I keep to my half
of the bed
– Kirsten Cliff
has no petals:
hoping he’ll return,
I keep to my half
of the bed
– Kirsten Cliff
Kokako 13, September 2010
hailstorm . . .
three red petals left
to scent this rose
– Kirsten Cliff
three red petals left
to scent this rose
– Kirsten Cliff
Caribbean Kigo Kukai, September 2012
no mail today
a taste of woodsmoke
on the wind
– Kirsten Cliff
a taste of woodsmoke
on the wind
– Kirsten Cliff
From ‘Between the Birdsong’ (with Cara Holman)
LYNX 27:3, October 2012
LYNX 27:3, October 2012
 |
| (click on image to enlarge) |
Appeared on Angie Werren’s blog as part of her
National Poetry Month ‘Couplets’ posts, April 2012.
Monday, December 17, 2012
Decemeber Haiku Share: The Week That Was #2
The second week of Cara Holman's December Haiku Share
has finished and it's still going strong. Below are the links to the last seven days of posts, and the
haiku and tanka I've shared along the way. Yes, that's right--tanka too! Come on over and share your previously published works, or write something new if inspiration hits you. You'll find a group of poets who care about haiku and tanka, enjoy reading it and commenting on it when they do.
(Here's the link to the latest prompt - blue eucalyptus)
cold moon
still the weight of her baby
in my arms
–Kirsten Cliff
still the weight of her baby
in my arms
–Kirsten Cliff
DailyHaiku, Cycle 12, January 27, 2012
shirtless
he weeds
between the gravestones
– Kirsten Cliff
he weeds
between the gravestones
– Kirsten Cliff
Moonset 6:1 2010
lost
in that deepest green . . .
the mountain alone
has left its imprint
on my psyche
– Kirsten Cliff
in that deepest green . . .
the mountain alone
has left its imprint
on my psyche
– Kirsten Cliff
‘Forever Home’ tanka sequence with Margaret Dornaus, LYNX 27:3, October 2012
see this link for the image that inspired the tanka
see this link for the image that inspired the tanka
*waka taua –
paua eyes reflect
the afternoon midges
– Kirsten Cliff
paua eyes reflect
the afternoon midges
– Kirsten Cliff
the taste of nashi: New Zealand Haiku (Windrift, 2008)
Bay News, Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Waiariki Institute of Technology 2010 Calendar
Bay News, Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Waiariki Institute of Technology 2010 Calendar
*Waka Taua is a Maori war canoe.
winter afternoon
one empty space
in the library carpark
– Kirsten Cliff
one empty space
in the library carpark
– Kirsten Cliff
Honorable Mention, Haiku International Association 2009 Haiku Contest
thinking of you –
the light
on a paua shell
– Kirsten Cliff
the light
on a paua shell
– Kirsten Cliff
Kokako 10 (April 2009)
Waiariki Institute of Technology 2010 Calendar
Waiariki Institute of Technology 2010 Calendar
for today
I have this one wish
not to feel
like I’ll always carry
that scared little girl
– Kirsten Cliff
I have this one wish
not to feel
like I’ll always carry
that scared little girl
– Kirsten Cliff
Presence #44 (June 2011)
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Moving Day
on moving day
do I take my memoriesof you away . . .
or leave them to rest
in this blackbird's spring nest
moving day . . .
inside this matchbox
a cicada shell
DailyHaiku Cycle 12 (January 24, 2012)
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
A Puzzle of Poetry
I'm pleased to say that I have begun playing with the puzzle that is my first poetry collection, Patient Property. I've been writing for this collection since being diagnosed with leukaemia in March 2010, and it's only recently that my treatment has finally come to a conclusion. That's a lot of experiences to draw on!
At this stage all the relevant haiku, senryu, tanka, and haibun I've written over the past 2+ years is printed out and blue-tacked onto the back of my study door. From there I'm working out in what order the poems should appear, what stays and what goes, and if there are any gaps in my story for which new works need to be written.
Having never done this before, I can tell you it's a challenging job; though no bigger a task than I had expected it would be. I think I'll be a good few months working my way through the ups and downs of this process. I'm very grateful that a few fellow poets have already put their hands up to be early readers.
In the meantime (and long before my book sees the world!) will be my appearance in A New Resonance 8: Emerging Voices in English-Language Haiku. I'm very excited to have my haiku chosen for this volume, which will see a sizable body of my work published in one place for the first time. Many thanks to editors Jim Kacian and Dee Evetts, and all those who have supported my haiku habit over the past six years!
Now I just have to get over the small shock I feel every time I close my study door and am suddenly confronted with a wall of poetry! How is it that I keep forgetting it's there . . .
At this stage all the relevant haiku, senryu, tanka, and haibun I've written over the past 2+ years is printed out and blue-tacked onto the back of my study door. From there I'm working out in what order the poems should appear, what stays and what goes, and if there are any gaps in my story for which new works need to be written.
Having never done this before, I can tell you it's a challenging job; though no bigger a task than I had expected it would be. I think I'll be a good few months working my way through the ups and downs of this process. I'm very grateful that a few fellow poets have already put their hands up to be early readers.
In the meantime (and long before my book sees the world!) will be my appearance in A New Resonance 8: Emerging Voices in English-Language Haiku. I'm very excited to have my haiku chosen for this volume, which will see a sizable body of my work published in one place for the first time. Many thanks to editors Jim Kacian and Dee Evetts, and all those who have supported my haiku habit over the past six years!
Now I just have to get over the small shock I feel every time I close my study door and am suddenly confronted with a wall of poetry! How is it that I keep forgetting it's there . . .
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Mindful Writing Challenge January 2013
Here's a small stone to get things started:
above the mountain
a cloud that looks
like a mountain
You'll find many more examples on Fiona's A Handful of Stones blog-zine. Enjoy!
Monday, December 10, 2012
Hortensia Anderson Memorial Haiku Competition
The 1st “aha” (Annual Hortensia Anderson)
Memorial Haiku Awards Competition 2013
This Memorial Haiku Competition is to honour the memory of well known and respected New York based haiku poet, Hortensia Anderson. Sponsored by Haiku Oregon. Find all the details here.Sunday, December 9, 2012
Decemeber Haiku Share: The Week That Was #1
The first week of Cara Holman's December Haiku Share has finished. Below are the links to the seven days of posts, and the haiku I have shared each day. I hope you enjoy reading all the haiku as much as I have been, and maybe you'll come and join us this week! (Here's the link to the latest prompt - night sky)
coming home
to an empty house
so many stars
– Kirsten Cliff
to an empty house
so many stars
– Kirsten Cliff
Kokako 12, April 2010
evolution: The Red Moon Anthology of English-Language Haiku (Red Moon Press, 2011)
evolution: The Red Moon Anthology of English-Language Haiku (Red Moon Press, 2011)
suspended
from an evening cloud
the mountain
–Kirsten Cliff
from an evening cloud
the mountain
–Kirsten Cliff
the taste of nashi: New Zealand Haiku (Windrift, 2008)
Bay News, Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Waiariki Institute of Technology 2010 Calendar
Bay News, Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Waiariki Institute of Technology 2010 Calendar
drifting fog
where does the dream end
and I begin
–Kirsten Cliff
where does the dream end
and I begin
–Kirsten Cliff
“Dream Catcher” rengay with Cara Holman, Fox Dreams, April 2012 (edited by Aubrie Cox of Yay Words)
extinguished
after love-making
a single candle
– Kirsten Cliff
after love-making
a single candle
– Kirsten Cliff
paper wasp 17:3 (October 2011)
summer again
the dress I wore
to hospital
– Kirsten Cliff
the dress I wore
to hospital
– Kirsten Cliff
‘All the Words that Mean Cancer’ rengay sequence with Cara Holman, LYNX 27:3 (October 2012)
as I begin to sing
in my head
the sparrows scatter
– Kirsten Cliff
in my head
the sparrows scatter
– Kirsten Cliff
Kokako 9, September 2008
Waiariki Institute of Technology 2010 Calendar
Waiariki Institute of Technology 2010 Calendar
fallen blossoms –
loading empty beehives
on the truck
– Kirsten Cliff
loading empty beehives
on the truck
– Kirsten Cliff
Kokako 8, April 2008
Saturday, December 8, 2012
The Books on My 'To Buy' List . . .
In no particular order:
Forgiving the Rain by Lynne Rees (haibun) http://www.snapshotpress.co.uk/
twelve moons by Claire Everett
(tanka)
https://www.createspace.com/3923071
breakfast with epiphanies by Owen Bullock (haiku) http://owenbullock.com/haiku.html
In the Garden of Absence by Stella Pierides (haiku)
http://stellapierides.com/news/4744
Forgiving the Rain by Lynne Rees (haibun) http://www.snapshotpress.co.uk/
twelve moons by Claire Everett
(tanka)
https://www.createspace.com/3923071
breakfast with epiphanies by Owen Bullock (haiku) http://owenbullock.com/haiku.html 
In the Garden of Absence by Stella Pierides (haiku)
http://stellapierides.com/news/4744
Friday, December 7, 2012
Anthologised
My poetry has appeared in five anthologies this year, which is a record for me. I thought I'd do a round up of them here as part of my end of year review, with thanks to all the editors who've published my work in 2012:
I have one haiku in The Heron's Nest, Volume XIII 2011, which is a collection of all the haiku from all the issues of The Heron's Nest that appeared on-line in 2011. This was my first time appearing in this annual anthology, and, to date, is the only haiku I've ever had published in The Heron's Nest. Copies can be bought from this link (either cheques to the postal address, or scroll to the bottom of the page for a PayPal option). You can read my haiku here.
Three of my tanka were chosen for the final volume of Take Five: Best Contemporary Tanka, Volume 4. Again, this was my first time appearing in a Take Five anthology, and I'm honoured that my work was chosen from the eighteen thousand tanka read by the editorial team. You can purchase a copy here, or through Amazon. Read the tanka of mine that are included here.
A Blackbird Sings: a book of short poems is the second anthology to come from the River of Stones January small stone challenge (now renamed Mindful Writing Challenge for 2013-- Join us!). I have two small stones in this collection, which can be read here. You can buy a copy in print or Kindle from Amazon US and Amazon UK.
When one of my haiku won a Highly Commended placing in this years New Zealand Poetry Society International Haiku Competition I automatically made it into the annual anthology, Building a time machine. It was a bonus to have another haiku chosen for the collection by the editor. Read my two haiku here, and purchase your own copy here.
Last but not least, is the Haiku News Anthology 2009-2011, which is a collection of haiku, senryu and tanka chosen from the first three years of this unique on-line newspaper. I have one haiku in the collection that you can read here. Copies can be bought from here.
I can recommend all of these anthologies as Christmas gifts for yourself or the creative people in your life. My work is but a small part of these fine collections that comprise some of the best that short form poetry has to offer. Get into it!
I have one haiku in The Heron's Nest, Volume XIII 2011, which is a collection of all the haiku from all the issues of The Heron's Nest that appeared on-line in 2011. This was my first time appearing in this annual anthology, and, to date, is the only haiku I've ever had published in The Heron's Nest. Copies can be bought from this link (either cheques to the postal address, or scroll to the bottom of the page for a PayPal option). You can read my haiku here.
Three of my tanka were chosen for the final volume of Take Five: Best Contemporary Tanka, Volume 4. Again, this was my first time appearing in a Take Five anthology, and I'm honoured that my work was chosen from the eighteen thousand tanka read by the editorial team. You can purchase a copy here, or through Amazon. Read the tanka of mine that are included here.
A Blackbird Sings: a book of short poems is the second anthology to come from the River of Stones January small stone challenge (now renamed Mindful Writing Challenge for 2013-- Join us!). I have two small stones in this collection, which can be read here. You can buy a copy in print or Kindle from Amazon US and Amazon UK.
When one of my haiku won a Highly Commended placing in this years New Zealand Poetry Society International Haiku Competition I automatically made it into the annual anthology, Building a time machine. It was a bonus to have another haiku chosen for the collection by the editor. Read my two haiku here, and purchase your own copy here.
Last but not least, is the Haiku News Anthology 2009-2011, which is a collection of haiku, senryu and tanka chosen from the first three years of this unique on-line newspaper. I have one haiku in the collection that you can read here. Copies can be bought from here.
I can recommend all of these anthologies as Christmas gifts for yourself or the creative people in your life. My work is but a small part of these fine collections that comprise some of the best that short form poetry has to offer. Get into it!
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Peacocks and Dandelions
Here are two of the pages I made for my 2013 Calendar of Haiku & Photography that didn't make it into the final cut . . .
I think this is the first image I put together when starting out planning for my 2013 calendar. I really like this combination, but in the end I couldn't find the right place for it. The haiku above was first published as a one-liner on DailyHaiku here. Our neighbours are horse breeders and have peacocks roaming amongst their fields. We don't see them as much as we'd like, but we hear them making their distinct call, more especially in summer. Hubby found this peacock feather on our property not long after we'd moved in. I first photographed it for a tanka that I wrote for Hortensia Anderson, in memoriam (you can read that post here).
This would have been another summer page, but in the end, I created ones that I liked better. This photo was taken on our property after my husband alerted me to the butterfly. The fence is between us and a cow paddock, and the cows often push through the fence, shifting these posts, to get to our grass. The haiku first appeared on DailyHaiku here. I first paired this photo with another haiku that I'd written as part of a rengay with Cara Holman, "The Scent of Pine". You can view the post here.
I look forward to sharing the pages that comprise my 2013 Calendar of Haiku & Photography here beginning January 2013! :)
.jpg) |
| Click on image to enlarge. |
I think this is the first image I put together when starting out planning for my 2013 calendar. I really like this combination, but in the end I couldn't find the right place for it. The haiku above was first published as a one-liner on DailyHaiku here. Our neighbours are horse breeders and have peacocks roaming amongst their fields. We don't see them as much as we'd like, but we hear them making their distinct call, more especially in summer. Hubby found this peacock feather on our property not long after we'd moved in. I first photographed it for a tanka that I wrote for Hortensia Anderson, in memoriam (you can read that post here).
.jpg) |
| Click on image to enlarge. |
This would have been another summer page, but in the end, I created ones that I liked better. This photo was taken on our property after my husband alerted me to the butterfly. The fence is between us and a cow paddock, and the cows often push through the fence, shifting these posts, to get to our grass. The haiku first appeared on DailyHaiku here. I first paired this photo with another haiku that I'd written as part of a rengay with Cara Holman, "The Scent of Pine". You can view the post here.
I look forward to sharing the pages that comprise my 2013 Calendar of Haiku & Photography here beginning January 2013! :)
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
My Crafty Christmas
 |
| Christmas cards: an angel cut-out from Christmas music (click to enlarge) |
Here are two crafty gifts I've made for my family this Christmas,
along with my 2013 Calendar of Haiku & Photography.
 |
| Reindeer Christmas tree ornaments for the kids |
Celebrate the Twelve Days of Christmas haiku-style on
Gillena Cox's blog Lunch Break from
Tuesday, December 25 to Saturday, January 5
where she invites you to collaborate for the fifth year running.
I'm hoping to share in Gillena's Christmas story for the first time.
It would be great if you joined me! :)
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Band Names + Song Titles + Poetry =
. . . Aubrie Cox's new challenge, of course! Over at her blog Yay Words! she's looking for short found poems using song titles, band names and the like. See all the guidelines here. Deadline is Thursday, 20th December, after which she'll put out one of her brilliant pdf books for us all to gush over. :)
Here's one of her examples:
Here's one of her examples:
dante’s prayer
lost in the echo
wild mountain thyme
lost in the echo
wild mountain thyme
“Dante’s Prayer” – Loreena McKennitt
“Lost in the Echo” – Linkin Park
“Wild Mountain Thyme” by Sarah Calderwood
“Lost in the Echo” – Linkin Park
“Wild Mountain Thyme” by Sarah Calderwood
Monday, December 3, 2012
A Happy Haiku Holiday Season . . .
 |
| December 2012 - Kirsten's Calendar of Haiku & Photography |
The end of the year is upon us and it's time for me to look back and see if my ideas for 2012 came to fruition. My poetic leanings for this year were to:
- Make haiku and tanka a part of my everyday life -- I've certainly done this with having my own haiku calendar on my kitchen wall this year, the December page of which you see above. (See the pages for each month of 2012 at my side-bar link Kirsten's 2012 Calendar of Haiku & Photography.) I've created a second calendar for 2013 with all new photos and haiku, which I look forward to my family seeing for the first time come Christmas; and of course, having it on my own wall for the year. I also wrote haiku in cards this year, and made cards with haiku on them, giving them to family and friends. And I added haiku to the odd email or other message here and there, when I felt it might be appreciated. You can also read the post I did for New Zealand's National Poetry Day here about how I get my daily dose of haiku.
- Write more linked haiku and tanka verse -- Yes! All up this year I wrote 13 rengay with Cara Holman, all of which have been published, and three of which have been submitted to the rengay anthology. I had never written rengay before this and have found it very inspiring and enjoyable. I also wrote one rengay with Aubrie Cox, which was published in Kokako, and has been submitted to the rengay anthology as well. Mid-year I was part of a group that wrote a junicho; most of us for the first time. This was quite a different process to writing rengay, and a steep learning curve, but definitely something I would try again. The result of our efforts "Cold Sun" is in the December issue of A Hundred Gourds. Last, but not least, I wrote a tanka sequence with Margaret Dornaus, which was published in LYNX. This was another rewarding experience, and another first for me. We hope to write more together in the future.
- Write more haibun and tanka prose -- I wrote the most of these forms in a year than I ever had, and read a lot too! I decided that two of my haibun were worthy of polishing up and presenting to editors, and gratefully both were accepted; one in Kokako and one in Contemporary Haibun Online. Tanka prose I found a bit trickier and only in the last few weeks have I finalised two that I think are of a publishable standard. The first has been accepted to Haibun Today, and I'm waiting on news for the second. Needless to say I'm super pleased with my efforts and definitely want to keep writing more. I'm still interested in writing a poetic memoir in this fashion, although I'm keen to write it about a different time in my life than I'd originally conceived. Watch this space!
I did lots of other things in haiku-land for the first time, too, this year, like participating in kukai, judging a competition, and collaborating on photo-haiga. It's all made for a well rounded year of fun and challenges and learning and friendships. I'm looking forward to more! :)
There is a lot I'm interested in pursuing next year: collaborations of all kinds, finalising putting my first collection together, and entering the most haiku and tanka competitions I ever have in 12 months!
What will actually happen?
I don't know, because what I do know is that I can't do it all. I'm actually only a few submissions away this year from having done, what would work out as, one submission a week (which I did as a minimum in 2011). My coffers are running low. So it's a big period of concentrated writing that is needed right now. See you soon...
Here's to a happy haiku holiday season to all my readers!
May you eat, drink, write and be merry. :)
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Share a Haiku-a-Day for December
Cara Holman has come up with a great haiku sharing event on her blog Prose Posies for this month. As she points out, there's many haiku out there that we miss seeing because there is so much to read, or maybe it was published before our time, or in a journal in a country far from our own.
What Cara is inviting us to do is to share a haiku each day in the comments section of her blog that relates in some way to the haiku she posts each day. Easy peasy, and heaps of fun. Get into it folks! Here's the first post (sign up to her blog and receive her posts directly to your email inbox).
What Cara is inviting us to do is to share a haiku each day in the comments section of her blog that relates in some way to the haiku she posts each day. Easy peasy, and heaps of fun. Get into it folks! Here's the first post (sign up to her blog and receive her posts directly to your email inbox).
a stranger in the crowd
that looks like you
blue mist
that looks like you
blue mist
Cara Holman
(Shiki Kigo Kukai, November 2012)
coming home
to an empty house
so many stars
to an empty house
so many stars
Kirsten Cliff
Kokako 12, April 2010
evolution: The Red Moon Anthology of English-Language Haiku (Red Moon Press, 2011)
evolution: The Red Moon Anthology of English-Language Haiku (Red Moon Press, 2011)
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Cold Sun junicho
The first junicho I've participated in creating is now online in the new issue of A Hundred Gourds. You can view the whole piece here, and click on 'next renku' at the bottom of the page to read the Tomegaki for Cold Sun by our sabaki Sandra Simpson. My main contribution was the hokku, which also gave the junicho its title, and is considered an honoured position.
We started writing this at the NZ haiku conference in June where Jim Kacian was our distinguished guest and presenter of two Masterclasses. Jim was also a participant in the junicho. You can read a full write up of the Haiku Festival Aotearoa 2012, including Jim's workshops, in the fearture Sandra has written for AHG here.
Enjoy our junicho, and the rest of the December issue of AHG! :)
We started writing this at the NZ haiku conference in June where Jim Kacian was our distinguished guest and presenter of two Masterclasses. Jim was also a participant in the junicho. You can read a full write up of the Haiku Festival Aotearoa 2012, including Jim's workshops, in the fearture Sandra has written for AHG here.
Enjoy our junicho, and the rest of the December issue of AHG! :)
Friday, November 30, 2012
My Favourite Haiku
Recently I was asked to write a piece on my favourite haiku for the Haiku NewZ web pages. You can read the resulting essay on Jack Kerouac's below haiku here.
The
taste
of
rain
—Why
kneel?
Jack
Kerouac
More 'My Favourite Haiku' selections by well-known writers and editors can be read here. What would you choose?
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
A Big Small Kindness
Big thanks to the girls at Cafe Botannix Bethlehem last Wednesday who turned off the music that afternoon at my request. My hubby has Asperger's Syndrome and he has extreme noise sensitivity as a result. It can be really hard for us to find a quiet place to treat ourselves to a coffee. We seriously appreciate the kindness these staff members showed. It meant the world to my husband at that moment. YOU ROCK!
This blog post is part of the Small Kindnesses Blogsplash. You can still get involved. Find out all the info here. As part of the blogsplash Fiona Robyn's novel Small Kindnesses is FREE on Kindle today. Enjoy! :)
This blog post is part of the Small Kindnesses Blogsplash. You can still get involved. Find out all the info here. As part of the blogsplash Fiona Robyn's novel Small Kindnesses is FREE on Kindle today. Enjoy! :)
Monday, November 26, 2012
Wednesday Haiku: Call For Submissions
From Editor, Don Wentworth:
Just a note to you all who know about the weekly "Wednesday Haiku" postings at Issa's Untidy Hut.
Over the last 14 months or so, the Wednesday Haiku posting has featured the work of two haiku poets. This was done largely to a backlog I had, which had been causing people an inordinate wait for their haiku to see the light of day. Publishing twice as many a week halved the wait.
At this juncture, however, the coffers are getting a tad low. I can always revert to one poem per week, but feel two poems creates a different dynamic, one of more interest to the reader and to myself as editor.
Feel free to share this email with haiku-writing friends or on Facebook haiku groups, and likewise on Twitter, etc.
Thanks very much.
best,
Don
I'm excited to have just had a haiku accepted by Don for the "Wednesday Haiku" after responding to this call. So get into it folks! Don is a very approachable editor and generally gets back to you quickly. See you there!
Just a note to you all who know about the weekly "Wednesday Haiku" postings at Issa's Untidy Hut.
Over the last 14 months or so, the Wednesday Haiku posting has featured the work of two haiku poets. This was done largely to a backlog I had, which had been causing people an inordinate wait for their haiku to see the light of day. Publishing twice as many a week halved the wait.
At this juncture, however, the coffers are getting a tad low. I can always revert to one poem per week, but feel two poems creates a different dynamic, one of more interest to the reader and to myself as editor.
So, this is a general call for haiku for the Wednesday feature, as always one poem at a time:
Here's the deal - every Wednesday, I publish one or two original haiku on the blog, Issa's Untidy Hut. Electronic submissions
only, with the following caveat:
Send one (one only) original haiku
That's one original haiku per poet.
I will reply in a timely manner, with simply a yeah or nay. Poets
whose poems are accepted will receive the 2 current issues of Lilliput Review or a 2 issue extension of their current subscription if s/he already subscribes. Send your original haiku to:
wednesdayhaiku@gmail.com
Once the haiku is accepted or
rejected, you may send another. Otherwise, only one submission of one
haiku per poet at a time. I believe I said one, is that right?
Feel free to share this email with haiku-writing friends or on Facebook haiku groups, and likewise on Twitter, etc.
Thanks very much.
best,
Don
I'm excited to have just had a haiku accepted by Don for the "Wednesday Haiku" after responding to this call. So get into it folks! Don is a very approachable editor and generally gets back to you quickly. See you there!
Friday, November 23, 2012
Cicada Song in Ink and Colour
 |
| Ink and colour by Rob Piggott |
This ink and colour piece by Rob Piggott was inspired by my haiku below, and done for the When North meet South exhibition, now on at Ballamy's Gallery, Dunedin.
eyes closed
the cicada song
a little louder
Organiser Ruth Arnison brought together haiku poets from the North Island and artists of all kinds from the South Island to create this unique fundraising event. A percentage of the proceeds of all sales goes to Ruth's amazing Poems in the Waiting Room project.
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Song of the Heron
 |
| Painting by Tash Shackleton |
This painting by Tash Shackleton was inspired by my haiku below, and done for the When North meet South exhibition, now on at Ballamy's Gallery, Dunedin.
taking shelter
from this rain, too
grey heron
Organiser Ruth Arnison brought together haiku poets from the North Island and artists of all kinds from the South Island to create this unique fundraising event. A percentage of the proceeds of all sales goes to Ruth's amazing Poems in the Waiting Room project.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Blue Moons
 |
| Painting by Sheryl McCammon |
This painting by artist Sheryl McCammon was inspired by my haiku below, and done for the When North meet South exhibition, now on at Ballamy's Gallery, Dunedin.
only through
this wash-house window
blue moons
Organiser Ruth Arnison brought together haiku poets from the North
Island and artists of all kinds from the South Island to create this
unique fundraising event. A percentage of the proceeds of all sales goes
to Ruth's amazing Poems in the Waiting Room project.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Haiku Hawk
 |
| Painting by Jenny Longstaff |
This painting by Jenny Longstaff was inspired by my haiku below, and done for the When North meet South exhibition, now on at Bellamy's Gallery, Dunedin.
misty moon
above the mountain range
hawk's cry
Organiser Ruth Arnison brought together haiku poets from the North Island and artists of all kinds from the South Island to create this unique fundraising event. A percentage of the proceeds of all sales goes to Ruth's amazing Poems in the Waiting Room project.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
With Cherries on Top
Super stoked to find that the pdf book of haiku and senryu from the 31 Different NaHaiWriMo Prompters in August 2012 is available now for FREE download! With Cherries on Top: 31 Flavors of NaHaiWriMo, edited by Michael Dylan Welch can be found here.
I'm grateful to have the following four haiku included (hubby has one in there too!) along with so many other writers from the online haiku community. Thanks to Michael for the ideas and for putting them into action; thanks to the 31 daily prompters, and thanks to all those who took part in the Facebook haikufest that is NaHaiWriMo.
laundry day . . .
when did my feet
last touch the sand
(Sand prompt from Vincent Hoarau)
growing dusk . . .
the stillborn calf
is taken away
(Birth prompt from Christina Nguyen)
the lion in her full moon
(Lion prompt from Alegria Imperial)
hung off-centre
(Boats prompt from Alison Williams)
P.S. Also available for FREE download is the pdf book of small stones from Mindful Writing Day, edited by Fiona Robyn and Kaspa. You'll find that here. Enjoy all the weekend reading! :)
I'm grateful to have the following four haiku included (hubby has one in there too!) along with so many other writers from the online haiku community. Thanks to Michael for the ideas and for putting them into action; thanks to the 31 daily prompters, and thanks to all those who took part in the Facebook haikufest that is NaHaiWriMo.
laundry day . . .
when did my feet
last touch the sand
(Sand prompt from Vincent Hoarau)
growing dusk . . .
the stillborn calf
is taken away
(Birth prompt from Christina Nguyen)
the lion in her full moon
(Lion prompt from Alegria Imperial)
psychiarist's office—
the painting of a boathung off-centre
(Boats prompt from Alison Williams)
P.S. Also available for FREE download is the pdf book of small stones from Mindful Writing Day, edited by Fiona Robyn and Kaspa. You'll find that here. Enjoy all the weekend reading! :)
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Small Kindnesses Blogsplash
A new blogsplash event organised by Fiona Robyn and Writing Our Way Home...
On Tuesday the 27th of November I'm joining the Small Kindnesses Blogsplash and writing about a special small kindness someone paid me in the past. Would you like to join me?
The Blogsplash is organised by Fiona Robyn to celebrate the release of her novel 'Small Kindnesses' which will be free on Kindle on the day. All you have to do is write something about being kind - a memory of someone who was kind to you, a list of kindnesses over the past week, or something kind you did for someone else. It'll be a celebration of kindness in all its forms, especially those little kind acts that make all the difference.
To find out more visit Fiona's blog, or join the Facebook event. Do ask your friends to join you, and feel free to copy this blog onto your own to help us spread the word.
See you on the 27th! :)
On Tuesday the 27th of November I'm joining the Small Kindnesses Blogsplash and writing about a special small kindness someone paid me in the past. Would you like to join me?
The Blogsplash is organised by Fiona Robyn to celebrate the release of her novel 'Small Kindnesses' which will be free on Kindle on the day. All you have to do is write something about being kind - a memory of someone who was kind to you, a list of kindnesses over the past week, or something kind you did for someone else. It'll be a celebration of kindness in all its forms, especially those little kind acts that make all the difference.
To find out more visit Fiona's blog, or join the Facebook event. Do ask your friends to join you, and feel free to copy this blog onto your own to help us spread the word.
See you on the 27th! :)
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Building a time machine
I'm really pleased to once again have haiku in the annual New Zealand Poetry Society Anthology, which was edited by Owen Bullock this year. It contains all the winning entries of the NZPS International Haiku and Open Poetry Competitions, as well as work chosen 'blind' by the editor from the remaining poems entered.
My first haiku won a Highly Commended placing:
bus stop
the moonlight
on her cane
This second haiku was chosen by the editor:
his gentle snores
when did I last
see the stars . . .
You can order your copy of the NZPS 2012 anthology Building a time machine here (PayPal is available).
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Wind in the Reeds
The autumn kigo 'wind in the reeds' Sketchbook kukai results are now out - view them here. Congratulations to my writing buddy Cara Holman for her 2nd place win - that's the haiku I gave my top points to! Here are my efforts for what was my first Sketchbook kukai:
wind in the reeds
laying out tarot cards
by candlelight
laying out tarot cards
by candlelight
I always used to
get the wishbone
wind in the reeds
get the wishbone
wind in the reeds
wind in the reeds
I dare you to love
Monday, November 5, 2012
Launching into November . . .
Three launches that include my haiku are happening this month, and unfortunately I won't make it to any of them! Never mind because the books will arrive soon. :)
First is the launch of Building a time machine - the 2012 New Zealand Poetry Society Anthology, edited by Owen Bullock. I have two haiku appearing in this anthology: one that received a Highly Commended in the NZPS International Haiku Competition, and a further ku that was chosen by the editor. Order your copy here.
Second is the opening of the exhibition When North meets South, organised by Ruth Arnison. This is where artists of all kinds from the South Island chose haiku from poets from the North Island and made works of art inspired by them. I can't wait to receive my copy of the exhibition booklet that will include my four chosen haiku turned into works of art by four different painters. Hopefully I'll be able to link some photos soon!
Last but not least is the launch of the Haiku News Anthology, edited by Dick Whyte (NZ) and Laurence Stacey (US). I have one haiku appearing in this anthology and look forward to seeing this unique collection. Presales are now being taken here to support the printing of the book.
Above is the November page of my calendar. The photo was taken last year at Papamoa Beach especially for this project. The haiku is one of my most published ku, originally taking out Third prize in the Katikati Haiku Contest (2008). I've been busy making a 2013 calendar to give to family and friends this Christmas. Lot's of new photos and haiku to enjoy throughout the year. Remember you can see all the pages from my 2012 calendar at the link on the side-bar: Kirsten's 2012 Calendar of Haiku & Photography.
Last month I did several new photo-haiga in collabortaion with Cara Holman. This was the first time for both of us working together in this way, and we've deemed it a great success! Three have already appeared in Margaret Dornaus' Day of the Dead post. Five more have been sent to Aubrie Cox, the new A Hundred Gourds haiga editor, for consideration in the next issue. All have used my images with Cara's haiku; plus I also sent in three that are all my own work. I've only submitted haiga twice to a journal and look forward to seeing how these collaborations fare, and to doing more of the same in the future. Happy haiku-ing, friends! :)
First is the launch of Building a time machine - the 2012 New Zealand Poetry Society Anthology, edited by Owen Bullock. I have two haiku appearing in this anthology: one that received a Highly Commended in the NZPS International Haiku Competition, and a further ku that was chosen by the editor. Order your copy here.
Second is the opening of the exhibition When North meets South, organised by Ruth Arnison. This is where artists of all kinds from the South Island chose haiku from poets from the North Island and made works of art inspired by them. I can't wait to receive my copy of the exhibition booklet that will include my four chosen haiku turned into works of art by four different painters. Hopefully I'll be able to link some photos soon!
Last but not least is the launch of the Haiku News Anthology, edited by Dick Whyte (NZ) and Laurence Stacey (US). I have one haiku appearing in this anthology and look forward to seeing this unique collection. Presales are now being taken here to support the printing of the book.
 |
| November 2012 - Kirsten's Calendar of Haiku & Photography |
Above is the November page of my calendar. The photo was taken last year at Papamoa Beach especially for this project. The haiku is one of my most published ku, originally taking out Third prize in the Katikati Haiku Contest (2008). I've been busy making a 2013 calendar to give to family and friends this Christmas. Lot's of new photos and haiku to enjoy throughout the year. Remember you can see all the pages from my 2012 calendar at the link on the side-bar: Kirsten's 2012 Calendar of Haiku & Photography.
Last month I did several new photo-haiga in collabortaion with Cara Holman. This was the first time for both of us working together in this way, and we've deemed it a great success! Three have already appeared in Margaret Dornaus' Day of the Dead post. Five more have been sent to Aubrie Cox, the new A Hundred Gourds haiga editor, for consideration in the next issue. All have used my images with Cara's haiku; plus I also sent in three that are all my own work. I've only submitted haiga twice to a journal and look forward to seeing how these collaborations fare, and to doing more of the same in the future. Happy haiku-ing, friends! :)
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Day of the Dead #3: A photo-haiga with Cara Holman
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| Haiku by Cara Holman / Image by Kirsten Cliff (click on image to enlarge) |
See Margaret Dornaus' full Day of the Dead post on her blog Haiku-doodle.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Day of the Dead #2: A photo-haiga with Cara Holman
 |
| Haiku by Cara Holman / Image by Kirsten Cliff (click on image to enlarge) |
See Margaret Dornaus' full Day of the Dead post on her blog Haiku-doodle.
Friday, November 2, 2012
Day of the Dead #1: A photo-haiga with Cara Holman
 | |
| Haiku by Cara Holman / Image by Kirsten Cliff (click on image to enlarge) |
See Margaret Dornaus' full Day of the Dead post on her blog Haiku-doodle.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Here's my TODAY IS MINDFUL WRITING DAY small stone
mountain mist ...
all the chores
that were before me
now lost in the call
of this peacock
Check out MINDFUL WRITING DAY for yourself
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Hot Off the Press!
My latest use of Vistaprint's services:
You can see the 2012 calendar of haiku & photography that I made for my family here, and the mug with haiku & photo I put together here. I also did up a fridge magnet of this image from my calendar. Vistaprint keeps sending me vouchers and so I keep trying new things. Have a go yourself and see what you can come up with for your haiku. That Christmas shopping could be done in no time! :)
You can see the 2012 calendar of haiku & photography that I made for my family here, and the mug with haiku & photo I put together here. I also did up a fridge magnet of this image from my calendar. Vistaprint keeps sending me vouchers and so I keep trying new things. Have a go yourself and see what you can come up with for your haiku. That Christmas shopping could be done in no time! :)
Sunday, October 21, 2012
My Anger
between the rain
and my anger ...
magpie song
and my anger ...
magpie song
zwischen dem Regen
und meiner Wut ...
Elsterlied
Chrysanthemum 12 (October 2012)
Haiku & Photograph by Kirsten Cliff
Translation by Chrysanthemum Editorial Team
Thursday, October 18, 2012
His Whispers
first crow ...
his whispers through
myrrh incense
erste Krähe
ihr Geflüster durch
Myrrhenrauch
Chrysanthemum 12 (October 2012)
Haiku & Photograph by Kirsten Cliff
Translation by Chrysanthemum Editorial Team
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