Requiem for a Haijin - Keiko Imaoka

A Tribute Keiko Imaoka

May 30, 2002 I just received the sad news from Jane Reichhold that Keiko Imaoka has passed away. She received a letter from a Mrs. Sherwood in Tucson, Arizona that Keiko Imaoka died last month in her apartment in Albuquerque. Many of us knew Keiko from the Shiki list and also from rec.arts.poems. She was an excellent writer and an inspiration to many of us. She will be missed. Your prayers and thoughts for her will be appreciated. Some of her work was published in the poetry zine Agnieszka's Dowry: http://asgp.org/ Her Super Kmart sequence was published at Agnieszka's Dowry in the room "My Good Name" (click on the 'N') http://asgp.org/agnieszka.html from the room graphic, or go there directly: http://asgp.org/agd-poems/keiko-kmart.html Her essay, Forms in English Haiku was published in Agnieszka's Dowry, Moon over the Sea of Japan room: http://asgp.org/agd-poems/keiko-essay.html There are also many examples of her work in the old Shiki archives. Kim Hodges Jane Reichhold has created a special Memorial Page for Keiko Imaoka on Aha!Poetry. Tribute poems may also be sent to Jane for posting to the site: http://www.ahapoetry.com/keikopg.htm Dear Folks, Kim Hodge's news of Keiko Imaoka's passing is sad news. For those who didn't know Keiko or her work--and there are many, I imagine, because at least in recent years Keiko seemed to recede into the background, and as far as I know, at least for a time had stopped writing haiku-- I wanted to gather a few www links to suggest something of the immense talent, intelligence, sensitivity, and power that she possessed. Om Ami Dewa Hri. Tenzing Samples of her poetry: http://www.mauricepeterson.com/centerfold/surf.html http://asgp.org/agd-poems/keiko-kmart.html http://www.el.net/poem/usa/arizona/imaoka.html Here is one of the many places her seminal essay, "Forms in English Haiku," can be found on Jane and Werner Reichhold's website. Aha!Poetry: http://www.ahapoetry.com/keirule.htm Her art: http://www.gocaia.org/Artists/I/Imaoka/imao.htm http://www.u.arizona.edu/~aurorec/students.html

Our thoughts and prayers with Keiko Imaoka, her family and friends from WHC members and friends
faded memories a lacewing brushes my cheek by Keiko Imaoka JP/Albuquerque, New Mexico, US posted to rec. arts.poems 1/24/96
the sculpture finished beyond its beauty the artist not satisfied and though we said so much your leaving left it unspoken Jane Reichhold California, US  Memorial Page for Keiko on Aha!Poetry
parting clouds a hummingbird passes over our heads fondly remembering Keiko's hummingbird haiku, Kim Hodges Beaverton, Oregon, US	quoted even in my humble book, the keishu haijin has now joined the summer grasses On the day Keiko Imaoka passed away. May her soul be greeted by poets she loved, ancient and modern! Susumu Takiguchi JP/Oxford, England, UK
fondly remembered... the lacewing whispers R. Wilson (Robert Wilson) US/Philippines	the day's light now gone - yet, restful is the sleep 'till dawn Karina (Klesko) De Ridder, Louisiana, US
warm to my touch in the wicker basket her hand picked chilies Yu Chang Schenectady, New York, US	surf, sand or shell, who can say which shines most in moonlight? Debra Woolard Bender Orlando, Florida, US
whippoorwill - this time its cry signifies your passing An'ya (petrovic') Prineville, Oregon, US	river of stars - i wave both hello & goodbye to one blinking Alan J. Summers Bristol, England UK
a light faded -- plum blossoms scattered in moonshadow sudden enso -- the clay baby sleeps in a smooth glaze Hortensia Anderson New York City, New York, US	in a paper boat bobbing out to sea haiku Sheila Windsor Worcestershire, England UK
news of a friend's death a glass shatters Peter Brady Gatineau, Quebec,Canada
desert rose -- its withered petals still clinging Paul David Mena Cochituate, Massachusetts, US	the fragrance of the desert flower that bloomed once Jim Mullins New York City, New York, US
end of the day - mourning doves roost in a shade tree Juanito Escareal Hercules, California, US	each petal brighter a lotus blooms in the desert Soji (Gary Barnes) Fredericksburg, Virginia, US
in the middle of its ripening a fallen plum Naia Fallbrook, California, US	broccoli dear keiko broccoli Doris Kasson Belleair Bluffs, Florida, US
No-Mask... so too in death. Byakko (Todd Williams) Millbury, Ohio, US	silently she leaves only to turn again with a wave and a smile Mary Lee McClure Kokomo, Indiana, US
mountain climber footholds in the sky to those below Peigi Swayhoover Orange Park FL US	cascading grape vines silhouetted by the moonlight coyotes look to a star Carol Raisfeld Atlantic Beach, New York, US
breeze over warm sands cool off at night your path remains Terry Ishii Washington, US	the stars out above the Supermart Park -- I thought of you Benita Kape East Coast, New Zealand
moonlit field of grass blossoms white on white Izak Bouwer Ontario, Canada	through the mist a blossom filled with dew Semi (Terrie Relf) California, US
To Keiko, the "sun of haiku" ,,,,,,,,,..copernicus passenger   (what do i do these days my friend)? i travel full time around Sun Wlodzimierz Holsztynski Poland	moonflower its blossoms unfurl so fragrant! Semi (Terrie Relf) California, US
leaves glisten in the warming sun – a gentle wind Marylouise Knight Omaha, Nebraska US	a wrenching in my chest-- the white peony pulled from the garden Michael Dylan Welch Foster City, California US
light footsteps I've left the path for wood violets Cindy Tebo Catawissa, Missouri, US	For Keiko Imaoka water spins my puzzling image a reflection express aisle - the blue light specials Keiko remembered rearview mirror so many visions passing on the bridge Deborah Russell, 31-05-2002 Lutherville, Maryland, US
we cry then remember you in silence Patricia A. Laurent Independence, Missouri, US
sweet remembrance the last drop of our shared sake (for Keiko Imaoka) Carlos Colon Shreveport, Louisiana, US	white peony petals fall on the heavy black raku 'word' -- her gift Elizabeth Searle Lamb Santa Fe, New Mexica, US
nightfall -- her window unlit Alenka Zorman Ljubljana, SI	no more - to breathe the blossoms she becomes them Ron Moss Tasmania, AU
Evening sun- promise in the bright glow of it's appearance again! Mantai (Manish Gangopadhyay) Andheri, Mumbai	the evening sky sunflowers bow Gillena Cox St. James, Trinidad
Keiko Imaoka had a real and poignant presence in the world of haiku. I loved her coastal themed work for its close proximity to my own way of looking. Craig. where you have been - so many exquisite petals from one small flower Craig McLanachan Dunedin, South Island New Zealand	storm front clouds slowly darken her room Marian Olson Santa Fe, New Mexico US
desert sun burns no more lacewing moves on Carol Sircoulomb Kansas, US	the cock grows another leaf drops drifting the Eastern Sea Gary Blankenship The Big Wet-Oregon, US
a red bird sings high in the pine wildfire smoke MaryJane Turner Tucson, Arizona, US	focusing blurred by tears Marius Geerts s'Hertogenbosch, NL
open window the escaped canary's song out of sight autumn ginko ... piecing together her death haiku final ginko her death haiku comes to life Ernest J. Berry New Zealand	for Keiko Imaoka separated by a river of stars for now the gift of your haiku remains Keith McMahen Bradenton, Florida, US
The summer moon a waning gibbous, coyotes silent in this desert valley that holds you no more. May dosojin light her way. Om Ami Dewa Hri. Karma Tenzing Wangchuk Fontana, California US formerly New Mexico, US
so many green miles of ocean between us but looking at the moon we share the same sky in passing Cindy Tebo Catawissa, Missouri, US	in muddy river a picasso reflection sad eyes leaping frogs from this distant perspective i read with similar eyes Deborah Russell, Lutherville, Maryland, US
This was Keiko's farewell haiku to the Shiki list, when she departed to concentrate on her artwork [KH]: Gates Pass in the rear view mirror desert sunset Keiko Imaoka JP/Albuquerque, New Mexico, US/JP Oct. 25, 1996

 

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