2013 has been really hectic -- but I did manage to send entries to my favourite Shiki haiku kukai. I am posting all of those entries here. Also, the ones I sent for the newly started Indian kukai.



twilight chaos:
silently
a star swims into view

for the Jan 2013 Shiki Kigo kukai "First Calm"


winter night:
the withered tree
festooned with stars

for the Feb 2013 Shiki Kigo kukai "Withered plants"


at peace
in the sweltering heat:
a buffalo covered in mud !

for the Feb 2013 Shiki free format kukai "Cover"


barefoot --
the warmth
of the sun-kissed steps

for the Jun 2013 Shiki Kigo kukai "Barefoot"


thunderclap --
the snail
retreats into its shell

for the Jun 2013 Shiki free format kukai "Shell"


first kiss --
sunset clouds
blush crimson

for the Jul 2013 Shiki Kigo kukai "Evening Glow"


afternoon tea --
... memories scented
with orange peel

for the Sep 2013 Shiki free format kukai "Orange / Tangerine"


a frog jumps
into the night sky:
the Milky Way quivers ...

for the Sep 2013 Shiki Kigo kukai "Milky Way"


open window:
memories enter
on the wings of an old song

for the Sep 2013 Indian Kukai "Music"


slicing through darkness --
the express train
zips past ...

for the Nov 2013 Indian Kukai "Light"


morning chill ...
once again late
for the school bus

for the Nov 2013 Shiki Kigo kukai "Morning Chill"


steady downpour:
a raindrop hops
from puddle to puddle

for the Nov 2013 Shiki free format "Puddle"


Christmas eve:
a new star rises
in the river of Heaven

for the Dec 2013 Shiki Kigo kukai "Holidays or celebrations in December"

cityscape at night:
glistening crosswords
of shadows and light

for the "Windows" theme free format Shiki Monthly Kukai, January 2013.

First of all, a very Happy New Year ! I haven't been posting regularly for sometime now. I have been busy trying to get back to the joys and pressures of a full-time job. I will try to be more regular.

Just thought I should write about what haiku means to me. For a professional who chose to stay at home till her child was old enough for full-time school, haiku gave me an outlet to actually try my hand at something new. I have always loved to read English literature and poetry. I love reading haiku and am amazed at how vivid a picture can be painted in just a few syllables. I have tried to participate in the Shiki Monthly Kukai and Sketchbook Haiku kukai whenever I can. The Editors of these kukai have always been encouraging with their occasional comments – these make me continue to try writing haiku.


first daffodil:
decisively ends
winter drought of colours

for the Sept 2012 Shiki monthly kukai kigo topic : “Drought”


on our backs
watching clouds:
camel swallows dragon !

for the Sept 2012 Shiki monthly kukai free format topic : “cloud shapes”


winter solstice:
a flock of sparrows
huddle in the cold

for the Dec 2012 shiki monthly kukai kigo topic : “winter solstice”


Recently, one of the Shiki Kukai Editors, Robert Bauer, passed away and I wrote this haiku in his memory as part of the December 2012 Shiki Monthly Kukai (free format topic : “departing”) :


wilted roses:
... the room
still fragrant !


Perhaps the Editors of these kukai do not realize how much joy these haiku kukai bring to the participants. I, for one, wanted to acknowledge this – and hence, this blog.