AZ Matsuri Festival

2018 haiku ebook page 65

The AZ Matsuri festival is this weekend. They have been running a haiku contest to coincide with the festival the past four years. I have submitted every year and check out the ebooks when they become available. This morning I was pleasantly surprised to see one of my haiku included among the honorable mentions. This page will let you download and view all of the ebooks. Reading all the wonderful haiku is a great way to celebrate #NaHaiWriMo at the end of each book are the Japanese haiku. Shawn asked me if they were traditional nature, mora, kigo and kireji. I know the English haiku only had to be about AZ nature, but since I don’t read Japanese, I don’t know how traditional they are.

I hope everyone goes over to the AZ Matsuri website and downloads at least one of the ebooks. And any AZ residents, I hope to see your haiku and name in next year’s book. I’ve shared the submitting info every year, but I have yet to see a name and/or school I know. Well not exactly there are haiku by ASU students, but since Rachael is a biology major I haven’t asked her if she recognizes the authors.

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One Year Later – Nasty Women Poetry Reading

Reading order last night

After long first year
eclectic voices speak out
how we will survive

 

Last night the Nasty Women Phoenix poetry reading invited the women who read last year to come back and give their perspective on how the year went. It was not as well attended as last year’s reading, but this meant I actually could sit through it. I told Shawn I didn’t think it was as long as last year’s reading, being able to sit down may have been helpful. I’m not suppose to stand for too long. And almost all the poets returned to read again except one who moved out of state.

Shawn had a couple of his photos bought in support of Planned Parenthood. His mother’s art piece was still there. Shawn took my picture by it, but it’s still on his phone. Maybe I will share it here later.

I found out yesterday that February has been national haiku write month (NaHaiWriMo) for quite a few years as haiku is a short poetry form and February is the shortest month of the year. Today’s #haikuchallenge word on twitter is after. I’ve been pretty good at writing at least one a day so far this year. I’ve missed a couple, but I’ve written more than one some days. I also have been writing other poems, both haiku and other forms, for submissions. Here is a place to submit traditional (as in about nature not necessarily syllable count) haiku on AZ nature. Sorry it is only open to AZ residents and closes on February 9th. My AZ poet friends should have time to write something. Happy haikuing!

Earth Day – Pantun

Aloe along our front door walkway

Hummingbirds swoop and hover near aloe
drinking in the sweet nectar of flowers
Rejoice in nature, let’s not be shallow
Earth is a lifeboat humans devour

NaPoWriMo Prompt Day 22 – In honor of Earth Day, I’d like to challenge you to write a georgic. The original georgic poem was written by Virgil, and while it was ostensibly a practical and instructional guide regarding agricultural concerns, it also offers political commentary on the use of land in the wake of war.

Welcome back to day 22 of NaPoWriMo and Happy Earth Day! Here are the instructions for writing a pantun. I believe this little piece can be considered georgic, as it is about nature and does present commentary on our use of nature. The picture of the aloe was taken by Shawn Hosking. Once more I’m borrowing a photo of his without permission. And yes, hummingbirds visit the tall flowers on a daily basis.

Catitude Art Gallery

JW Montgomery’s photo equipment

Artist reception at Catitude
features J.W. Montgomery
photographs taken with film
hike miles holding heavy
cameras to get
the perfect shot
then spend hours
in dark
room

Last night Shawn and I attended the artist reception at Catitude. It was a nice evening to enjoy their garden. JW Montgomery’s son, Dr. Buck, was there regaling the audience with the stories behind his father’s photos. Shawn took the photo of the equipment.

Nasturtium

CC BY-SA 3.0, Link Wikipedia

Nasturtium leaves
add some zing to salad greens
with hint of radish

NaPoWriMo Prompt Day 5 – In honor of Mary Oliver’s work, I’d like to challenge you to write a poem that is based in the natural world: it could be about a particular plant, animal, or a particular landscape. But it should be about a slice of the natural world that you have personally experienced and optimally, one that you have experienced often. Try to incorporate specific details while also stating why you find the chosen place or plant/animal meaningful.

Here we are on day five of NaPoWriMo. On the first day I told you Rachael is taking an outdoor eduction course at ASU. She is also taking a garden class. She learned about the nasturtium flower and told us how it tasted like radishes. Well Mom wanted a taste and she brought home a couple leaves last week. Whew! They definitely have a kick.

Meanwhile Gretchen is not feeling well and stayed home from school today. Poor girl has slept the morning away. I need to get set up to work, the new adventure I told you about the last day of March. It is online so I am able to work from the comfort of home. Great gig for someone who can’t drive. I need to check on Gretchen to see if she needs anything before my work day begins.

If the little American sentence was not enough poetry to satisfy your nature needs, here is one I wrote on Desert Spring Silver Birch Press published a couple years ago. Enjoy the rest of First Contact day.