I wrote so many versions of these Aussie haiku and struggled with some of the edits. Here are some earlier versions of two of them. Particularly for my Brisbane poet friend Jdub. Let me know which reads better.
.
hot and sleepless
karaoke through the night
– Willie Wagtails
.
Why do I expect
Anything from this billabong?
– silence
.
.
sultry
all night karaoke
– Willie Wagtails
.
hopping back again…
– in the billabong
dust
.
green in the centre,
– first test Gabba pitch,
outside… jacarandas
.
I recently found this essay from John Bird, editor of Haiku Dreaming relating to the use of ‘kigo’ (season words) in Australian haiku. There are so many ideas (rules) being thrown around on the issue of ‘correct’ haiku. It is an interesting read for those learning about English language haiku, especially when living in a different hemisphere. The discovery of Haiku Dreaming made me look through my ‘ku’ with a distinct Aussie theme.
pied hill prawns 