Summertime, how blessed are the skies above us, that they circle above, all the stars, planets and Milky Way under the gaze of the moon. How blessed are we? For hot, sleepless nights and clear, dark, mornings, when the clouds are fine wisps or the sky is so  clear we can gaze up to the heavens to our heart's delight. Nothing quite like it. Southern hemisphere.

Karen Coller

Since I was a little girl, I have been looking at small things; puddles, a swirl on a gum leaf, a raindrop racing another down the car window. Then I discovered haiku and these small things found a way of being recorded on paper.

The Merriam Webster dictionary defines haiku as - " noun:  an unrhymed verse form of Japanese origin having three lines containing usually five, seven, and five syllables respectively; also : a poem in this form usually having a seasonal reference"

In February 2009, I joined in with research to find out how others defined haiku and many were published online over 16 weeks in a study by John Bird from Haiku Oz. My definition is; “Haiku is wonder in a heartbeat; a moment to say ‘yes’ to life. Haiku is brightness in a raindrop, a wing beat of thought on the cheek and in the heart. Haiku pens a precious, funny or insightful moment for us.”
Sometimes I forget my own definition when I overlook the moments and mindlessly let them pass me by. I was surprised by myself reading this definition again. I realise I need to remind myself to notice, observe in the moment & sometimes insight & feeling felt can transform my day.

Karen Denford
11/02/2018

I would like to acknowledge the work of Haiku Oz and The Australian Haiku Society.
https://australianhaikusociety.org/

The surname Denford, is a habitational name from two or three Old English words. ‘Dene’ predates the 7th century, meaning a dean or valley. ‘Ford’ refers to a shallow river bed with a firm base, suitable for safe crossing. ‘Dierne’ means ‘hidden’. Possibly, together, Denford means, ‘a safe place to cross a river’.

Haiku and hygge must be two of my favorite words! Imagine our world being made up of noticing those moments that only you see and then time to 'be' in simple comfort of your own space to remember, reflect and contemplate this moment. Or maybe time to share this moment with friends - now imagine a world of people sharing these moments. I can see this. Karen 11/02/2018