Ginko review, Saturday 29th October 2011
By Meryl Manoy
What a glorious sunny Perth spring day for a GINKO in Araluen Botanic Park on Saturday October 29th. 2011.
Forty five minutes to individually observe and soak in the sights, sounds and smells of the picturesque setting with roses and pansies of all shades in full bloom.
We were immediately immersed in the perfume and beauty of the prolific rose gardens, accompanied by an abundance of tiny white butterflies and the murmering of innumerable bees (and of course the ubiquitous bush flies!)
Taking copious notes we re-assembled at a rustic table setting in the shade alongside a stream frequented by ducks diving and preening. There we compared notes, shared ideas and commented on how to best present our haiku. This was also a perfect setting for lunch accompanied by the soft sound of a small waterfall in the background.
A great opportunity to hone one’s haiku skills was missed by other members of our Mari Warabiny Haiku Group.
Hope to see you next time.
Ginko Review, Saturday 25th November 2010
by Gary De Piazzi
Last Saturday I was joined by Rose Van Son, Meryl Manoy and Liz Nicholls for a Mari Warabiny Haiku Group ginko in Supreme Court Gardens. Perth is blessed to have had city planners with the foresight to include botanical gardens as part of the cityscape. Supreme Court Gardens, despite humble beginnings as a paddock, holds many secrets that reveal themselves to those with eyes to see and minds to capture:
dead birds
strelitzia blooms decay
white dove
silent sundial marks time
bells peal
sea breeze
stirs limp flags
gulls fly
palm grove
city skyline
backdrop
foliage stirs
refreshing breeze
tempers heat
Meryl Manoy
_______________________
garlic flowers
between striped leaves
lush weeds
coloured flags
bike race
the wind picks up
city explorer
her turn to ring the bells
Rose van Son (c) 2010
________________________
above the trees
bank buildings rise
tallest
cars flash
past gaps in the trees
bells toll
red post pointing north
sundial under cloudy sky
people walk aimless
seagulls
squatting on the grass
boats on the river
gcdepiazzi
________________________
garlic plants
in neat rows
stir- fry for dinner
vibrant red
blossoms on thorned stems
witches hats
under cloudy skies
a broken sundial
on long stems
white flowers wilt -
first summer heat
Liz Nicholls
_______________________
Review of Celebration of Haiku
It was an amazing afternoon of haiku at the Bodhi Tree Cafe at the corner of Oxford and Scarborough Beach Road last Sunday, 1st August, 2010: a beautiful venue and haiku that simply floated through the door.
Amanda Joy and Maureen Sexton presented a tantalising picture postcard vision of haiku and readings with multiple colours of nature on the big screen. Annie Otness presented her haiku with her paintings reflecting meanings and images – these paintings were passed around the audience who were able to see clearly the effort, colour and thought gone into the presentation of these moments. Rose van Son read ten haiku before the half hour break at 2.30pm.
At 3pm the winners of the Bodhi Tree Haiku Competition were announced and the winners read the moments special to them. The delectable keyboard music accompanying the haiku for the afternoon really did take the readings and audience to a new high – the music was to die for and accompanied the readings beautifully. And the audience loved it! It really was a memorable afternoon. This was the inaugural Celebration of Writing week at the Bodhi Tree cafe (that also serves healthy food) and an event that should not be missed next year.
~ Rose van Son, poet ~
Congratulation to the winners of the Bodhi Tree Haiku Competition
1st – Gary De Piazzi
2nd – Rose Van Son
3rd – Rod Tinniswood
Honourable Mentions
Rose Van Son
Isabelle Jeneve
Gail Willems