A Haiku Collection from Around the World
We have
haiku and haibun from all over our planet, as haiku poets walked together to
celebrate Earth Day. In groups (Florida and Charnwood) and alone, poets walked,
reflected, and share back with us so that we might walk with them together, time
and time again. I was originally only going to share those selected but the
spirit that comes through from all the walks tells me to share everything. -
By connecting we can change the world and protect
it too.
~Paul T Conneally |
|
| EARTH DAY GINKO - COME WALK
WITH US! |
all about us
reminders of autumn
a particular aroma
overnight
bright yellow trees
disrobe
in the valley
woodsmoke
lingers
Craig Mclanachan
The South Island of New Zealand
hilly lanes and steps,
going for shopping and back --
bush warblers' song
Looking after my aged parents in the hilly and leafy residential part of Sasebo,
Kyushu, Japan, I hear bush warblers sing more often than any other time in my
life. I helped my father come out of three months' stay in hospital and back
home amidst his irises, azaleas and camellias in full bloom as well as rampant
weeds of his neglected garden. I seldom cook in England. Here, I cook, clean the
house, do washing and washing-up, go shopping, make tea, give massage to Mother,
watch TV melodramas and soap operas with them, having my ear drums almost blown
off. They can hear bush warblers no more. Many things have happened to me over
here. I have been greeted by a Japanese rat and a Japanese centipede, which
almost drove me scarring back to England. I have discovered an exquisite
Japanese soprano, Norie Suzuki, who now lives in Milan, and does not sing like a
Japanese soprano. By "exquisite", I meant her voice but, come to think
of it, her
looks are exquisite as well. Walking up and down the steps and sloping
and meandering lanes to reach shops is a delight. Every house has a little
garden with all sorts of spring flowers, miniature dogs, well-fed cats and large
shining cars. People are polite, warm and friendly. I start wondering why I am
living in a foreign country. Bush warblers follow me around, as it were, with
their natural version of soprano songs. Norie Suzuki sings like a song thrush.
Bush warblers here sing like bush warblers.
Susumu Takiguchi
Sasebo, Japan/UK
Here's a walk from Rome, along Via dei Fori
Imperiali late at night...
Forums by floodlight -
late-night tourists pick their steps
over lost shadows.
Riccardo Duranti
Rome, Italy
laid up with a cast -
a bush warbler's melody
brings outdoors in
looking out
for the earthworms ...
a stroll on crutches
Carmen Sterba
Kamakura, Japan/US
early morning chill
daydreams of fishing
when just a lad
tree tops bask
in morning sun
envy in their shadow
Earth Day Ginko-
to morning birdsong
haijin mutters
Michael Baribeau (of Shichifukujin)
Coral, Michigan, US
at the canyon's bottom
spring rains swirl
over tires and rusty washers
Gary Blankenship
Bremerton, WA, US
Riccardo Duranti told me about the Earth Day
project, so I'm taking the liberty of attaching 3 haikus inspired by strolls in
Dublin (Ireland).
PAVEMENT DRAWING
From the ground, half-sketched,
Mona Lisa's eyes wander
up the passing legs
HA'PENNY BRIDGE
Hump-backed harbinger
of Temple Bar - footsteps thrum
fast towards Merchant's Arch
STEPHEN'S GREEN
While the city whirls
through lunch-hour - sun-lovers laze
amidst ducks and flowers
Anamaría Crowe Serrano
Dublin, Ireland
town's sleeping --
country train brings
the smell of soil
rainy afternoon --
even dandelions
cut down
gust of wind
brings me -- and takes away
the blackbird's whistle
cherry in bloom --
not any sign of spring
in his words
Earth Day --
his SMS about
the cuckoo's song
heavy rain --
the cherry blossoming
on the ground
Sunny regards from rainy Ljubljana,
Alenka Zorman
Ljubljana, Slovenia
petal of red
swings gently in summer wind
snared by spider's web
Michael Rehling
www.haikuhut.com
bright red tulips
under heavy gray skies -
snow coming
Marylouise Knight
Omaha, Nebraska, US
Earth Day
at the park a garbage can
overflows
Earth Day
getting word
of his cancer
Deborah Beachboard
Washington, US
in the nursery
only native seedlings
happy children choosing
little boy
tells Dad
two of these -- *
at the end of the track...an
old man
.a child rushes forward...with
his choice
Benita Kape
East Coast, New Zealand
* "two of these" = The Rimu/Red pine - Dacrydium
cupressinum. The sexes are on separate trees.
I live next to a big park within a mile of
downtown l.a.
spring in the park
hear the foot come off the gas
pinatas blooming
dead palm tree shadow
in the middle of the road--
stop sign!
miguel sanches
Los Angeles, US
the windsurfer's sail
goes this way and that way
- taste of salt
doris kasson
Gulf of Mexico, Florida, US
spring morning
my car veers toward
the bougainvillea
Carmel C. Lively
Yuma, Arizona
spring sunshine --
a reveller walks past
with his finger in a book
Rob Scott
Netherlands
Athabasca Glacier . . .
considerably more icemelt
this spring
Bruce Ross
Athabasca Glacier Trail
Icefields Parkway
Alberta, Canada
early spring
seed clusters on coarse blades
about to pop
quick sketch
a kite soars past
the viewing rock
Francine Porad
Mercer Island, WA USA April, 2002
Greetings to all nature walkers... from the
town activity this morning:
planting trees
along the river walk -
first mosquito
Linda Robeck
Amesbury, MA, US
A walk along the Permissive Path and the
Outwoods in Charnwood Forest with
five friends from Croatia, here for the weekend, the Ryan family, a friend
from St Albans and two other friends from Loughborough. There are twelve of
us in all. (Saturday 20th April).
on the skyline
abandoned pig shelters rust -
remnants of bracken
three ways to climb -
the Ryans run the rocks
to set a surprise
(Ryans are a curious and ancient tribal group emanating from the Central
Southern coastal areas of Ireland. Currently there appears to be over 550,000 of
us worldwide. I guess this makes us a pretty big tribe but now so dispersed it's
difficult for most people to have a sense of being indigenous to this area any
more - but still the Green Isle calls and we have to return at some point!)
picnic spread -
coming to get you
ready or not
laughter
not a green woodpecker
in sight
on the Dragon's Back
a subtle haze seals the valley
sheep farm -
a football match springs
from a dropped ball
through the dark trees
beyond bright yellow rape
our home town
orange rocks
tower over bluebells -
a smooth descent
kevin ryan
charnwood UK
I strolled through my neighborhood in North
Louisiana. This is the most glorious time of year for spring blooms --
azalea, wisteria, dogwood, pear and crabapple trees, tulips and daffodils, many
more.
this is what formed in my mind for a ginko haiku:
joining
heaven and earth
raindrops on the fish
Nan Dozier
Shreveport, LA, US
spring morning
my car veers toward
the bougainvillea
Carmel C. Lively
Yuma, Arizona, US
I rush off this beautiful spring midday
(snow predicted for tomorrow!) past
the pond, and on to the village church where I'm rehearsing with a wind
symphony, Sibelius' 6th symphony. Outside my window, robins sing... in
anticipation (I'm using a little poetic license here, on the timing!)...
Sibelius -
on the greening breeze
a robin answers
Dina E. Cox
Canada
my head nods...
Art of Trance orig. club mix
and an old tree's blossom
alan j summers
Bristol, UK
Bringing some of my walk home . . .
cherry blossom twig
table cleared after dining
on fragrant petals
andrea gradidge [ushi]
Burnaby, B.C., Canada
Rivelin Valley, Sheffield, UK
after seeing the heron...
I choose
the high path
the river so low...
more room
for birdsong
another sunny day...
the dry stones
of the weir
I stand so still
but the dipper *
sees me
under a favourite tree...
my old boots crunching
beech-mast
Hugh Waterhouse
Sheffield, UK
[dipper = wary small bird]
I walked in the pine woods and the fields,
along the coast of Maine, USA
woodland walk
my friend recognises
all the bird calls
picnic tea
pine needles
in the jam
drops of mist
mute the liquid notes...
a warbler
four pure notes--
little bird we do not know
your common name
persistent wind...
do the deer find this
wearisome?
kirsty karkow
Maine, US
sunday stroll
goose-down bob
with the sails
Best wishes,
Maria Steyn
Johannesburg, South Africa
Recycling containers,
roadside of candy wrappings
and dandelions
Florence Vilen
outside Stockholm, Sweden
where the wash curves
a jack rabbit zig zags
through wild poppies
MaryJane Turner
Tucson AZ
beauty spot
two old ladies don't
discuss the view
Celia Crook
Oxford, England
say meadowlark !
just when I've learnt to whistle
your tune it changes
snow on jonquils
today everything in life
seems indecisive
almost orgainized
then clouds start to swirl --
an april twilight
among daffodils
just the double lays face down
in this cold spell
pussy willow
identical silhouettes
inside its catkins
on the ginko
following my earth friend
follow his friend
mountain slate . . .
the colour of the sound
spring rain makes
pastureland --
a black lambkin born
amid dandelions
cascading down
the hillside a waterfall
of lime deposits
earth day weekend -
never-minding the detours
to where we're going
sunning itself
reflected in her laptop
lizard on a rock
an'ya
Prinville, Oregon, US
April Stroll (Earth Day Haibun)
Central Park has a lovely conservatory garden with circles of tiered tulip beds
and a fountain of three dancing nymphs in bronze on the French side and on the
English side, a pool with silvery water lilies, goldfish and a fountain from my
favourite childhood book, The Secret Garden. I often bring it with me to escape
from the world for an afternoon.
Spring wind --
a stray tulip petal
floats by the fish
hortensia anderson
New York City, New York, US
(haiku/senryu) All Over
Central Park
wind and rain --
thousands of cherry blossoms
clog the gutter
North Meadow --
the daffodil bed
an automatic home run
too grey!
i hold my pink spun sugar
against the clouds
at the Loch --
we change the waterfall sound
with twigs
by the lake --
a girl with a mandolin
on the bluff
a carousel ride --
my childhood horse
still runs!
the house on the hill --
we play a game of checkers
with chess pieces.
behind the bandshell --
wisteria twines
around the arbour.
Bethesda Fountain --
the angel of waters
knows all my ex-beaux.
bow bridge --
a little boy blows bubbles
at our rowboat.
Strawberry Fields --
standing on Imagine
he gave me a peach.
hortensia anderson
New York City, New York, US
the river's fog
rises into falling snow...
change of heart
river-ice
finally melting off
the cranes return
apricot blossoms
covered with falling snow
spring dreams
Marjorie Buettner
Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
Snowing...
images of trees
light and dark reflect patterns
on slow moving koi
At the meditation gardens in Encinitas, California.
Michael Rehling
Encinitas, California, US
"Earth Day 2002: 3
snapshots from the West side of the world"
the monarch
butterfly has captured me!
....................Spring
the old limb sags
with a new hive
the tree hums
by midnight
the silhouette of a swan
orbits the moon
Michael (mv)
in the USA
slow rain
I run in and out
with a smile
Kansas has been in a drought
Carol Sircoulomb
Wichita, Kansas, US
I'm in Southern California & I
just walked around my block. I'm assuming you want haiku of my first
impressions of my walk today, not necessarily haiku I've spent a week
perfecting.
So, this is what I saw on my walk:
climbing roses
weaving their way out
of the ivy
the black crow walks
around the cement driveway
hibiscus blooms
purple geraniums
winding around the mailbox
no Sunday delivery
lemon tree blooms
green and yellow fruit waiting
on nearby branches
bearded iris stand
proudly as the flag waves
overhead
red geraniums
climb the telephone pole
out of the ivy
first roses arrive
they remove the luggage
from the car trunk
baby peaches
hang over the neighbor's fence
she ties her sweater
lavender roses
by the abandoned house
ready to pick
tangerine bush
bouquet of white blossoms
one orange fruit
empty baseball field
kids running with balloons
around the bases
Deborah P. Kolodji
Southern California, US
bougainvillea
pink origami paper
folded around blooms
patio clay pots
bursting with geraniums
dressed for summer
dried brown wisps
white flowers of a jade plant
just a memory
Deborah P. Kolodji
Southern California, US
earthday ginko
using a tank of gas to
get there
from the tallest tree
one yellow leaf
....falling
their words
circle after circle drifting
poets
relentless sun
on their dry crowns -
three palms lean together
through caterpillar lace
.........the blue
.............sky
gray fence
one plumbago branch
blooms on the wrong side
between being...and
not being
.the dead tree...a
work of art
drought formed woods
one stem holds
red flowers
fallen pine
.....the rainbow lines
of a shelf fungus
parasite wrapped
..........the old tree
........................endures
........the
path
to white sand lake
........doesn't go there
lynne steel
Hillsboro Beach, Florida, US
My early morning walk on the beach
was amazing...
rising into salt air
over the edge of earth
a neon sun
Carol Raisfeld
Atlantic Beach, NY US
I've been out for my Earth Day
ginko. I rode my bike to the park and nature preserve and walked up and down
both sides of the Pothole Creek along the Galt Canal Nature Trail. I could tell
it was going to be a not bad day when I rode my bike past the place where a
little dog frequently comes out and barks and chases me for a short
distance down the road. He was preoccupied and let me ride by without the
contest. There was a gusty west wind blowing in from the Rocky Mountains but it
was quite mild. I enjoyed it very much and here are a few haiku that I wrote.
earth day bike ride
the dog that chases me
is pooping
windy earth day
a magpie flaps and flaps
toward the creek
gusts of wind
the redwing blackbird
rides a cattail
muddy path
the muskrat's dive
leaves a trail of bubbles
DeVar Dahl
Magrath, Alberta, Canada
from an Earth Day hike at Brazos
Bend State Park, south of Houston
Earth Day-
a doe plunges
into the river
hiking map-
the caterpillar reaches
over the edge
trailhead-
an alligator eases
into the marsh
spring sun-
a willow leaf lands
on the turtle's shell
April breeze-
the sunning turtle
extends its legs
spring clouds-
gators bellow
across the wetlands
Elbert Pruitt
Houston, Texas, US
Florida Earth Day Ginko
April 21, 2002
Wekiva Springs Park, Florida, US
Blue-green water
deeper green than last year;
Wekiva Springs
Wekiva River bank a row of canoes
a row of customers
lily-pads,
ah! no frog
in sound
Not knowing
which way to go...
but for a wooden bridge.
Long-leaf pine, southern magnolia,
oak, scrub palm
and sprigs of bamboo!
..one
ray of...light through treetops
a spiderweb...turned to rainbows
air plants...all
the way up...to the dead tree top
*air plants = epiphytes
Mossy mound;
what lives in this
rotted palm-root hole?
over grape leaves...a
white net
woven by a spider...hovers
risen from oak-cast...along
the way...the path of roots
..grass
flower...with delicate stems
fine as thread...in seed-pearl lace
poet's walk...'round
the bend...fronds of fern uncurl
Tropical forest;
a housefly has come to rest
on a wild grape leaf.
a minnow school...in
the spring pool
.......twelve feet...of
haiku poets
pine seedling
one candle
in the middle
...........Earth
Day...photographs taken
as a remembrance...of Earth
Earth Day;
Floridian poets turned
into "Sea Oats"
Debra Woolard Bender
Pine Hills (Orlando), Florida, US
a green river flows
slowly, lapping at the shore
hazy earth day morn
Armando Corbelle
Florida, US
backwoods
abandoned trailer?
washing machine sounds
moon a-waiting
arrival of planets
conjunction
bird shadow
on glades of grass
glides
backyard fores
green, green, green
no butterflies stop
passing clouds
some dark, some light
Kelly green chameleon
slow walk to dumpster
quick run home
emerging raccoon feasted
unwholesome
smoky woodsy walk
as I die out my fag
down drawbridge
opened by one loud honk
schooner doesn't miss a knot
walk in park
.fire ant hills
..sidestepping
hazy, hot, humid
fans outstretched
bird wings
thunder
a rumble
loud crack
hairs stand up
two starlings
close mid-air chase
separated by a birch
a raccoon
comes downstairs
run, don't walk, home
in the breezeway
searching for ideas
a dime is found
backyard saunter
eyes and ears attuned
I become...mosquito feeder
baby squirrel's
woeful squealing
quiets, as I pass
peigi
Florida, US
sweetish air
picture of her as a baby
on sidewalk pile
Z. Vayman (Zinovy)
in Boston, USA
Early morning
fresh air , birds song
greenful mother earth ~
Etsuko
Japan
in the meadow
warm earth and flowers caress
bared soles
Nancy Smith
Georgia, US
trail markers
I watch for birds
and miss the lake
a walk with friends
I follow the butterfly
needle pines
the whine of mosquitoes
in my ear
tip to tip
a dragonfly skips
across the palm
sandy trail
only a leaf in the
spider's web
hammock
this squirrel and woodpecker
share trees
sweating-
I tuuug the bathing suit
over my hips
thanks for the memories
kathi r.
Florida
footsteps sure
mine and so many others
on earth today
walking to church
three sisters meet
at the corner
Gillena Cox
Trinidad
We walked in Knowlton, in a
country escapade. In Eastern Townships, Québec, Canada.
Earth day
almost snow --
this drop of cold
melting on my skin
undergrowth --
red leaves fallen in autumn
now spring carpet
Micheline Beaudry
Québec, Canada
wilderness trail -
a glimpse of fence
behind the trees
April sun -
spider webs inside
spider webs
spring fever -
bright moss covers
the hollow cypress
single file -
someone's sock
beside the footpath
bird calls -
a dead pine points
to the hazy sky
ladder web -
footsteps on the
boardwalk
white fungi
cling to a rotted pine -
a blister forms
new friends -
sunlight finds it's way
through the trees
random voices -
a trail of sand
and broken shells
fish camp lights -
the river and I
going home
Laurene Post
Rockledge Florida, US
I walked with Debi Bender and the
fledgling Florida Haiku Poets Association at Wekiva Springs State Park.
clear spring water
curlyhead in Daddy's arms
giggles
cold spring swim
the toddler's dark eyes
get bigger
nature trail
palm frond in the sand
points the way
ginko walk
shelf lichen steps climb
the old sycamore
dead tree trunk
almost
more holes than tree
sunny clearing
zebra longwing* circles
the longleaf pine
*longwing: a black & yellow
striped butterfly with wings wider than they are tall
Chris Baltzley
Safety Harbor FL, US
Read
the WHC Worldwide Ginko Guest Selectors Choices & Commentaries
See
the Florida Earth Day Ginko with Picture Gallery
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