Bill Kenney — Touchstone Distinguished Books Award Winner 2021
Bill Kenney is the recipient of a Touchstone Distinguished Books Award for 2021 for his volume keep walking (Winchester VA: Red Moon Press, 2021).
Commentary from the Panel:
In this fine collection Bill Kenney demonstrates a clear eye, a kindly temperament, and a cunning haiku voice.
Much of that cunning results from this poet’s masterful sense of when he has said just enough. Few who practice this already-compressed poetry can suggest so much with so few words.
heron
the time
it takes
butterfly
circling me twice
then moving on
His eye discerns not just what others might overlook, but also — with keen if bemused insight — revealing aspects of who those others are.
observation tower
the tour guide tells us
what to observe
driving north
our grandchildren
explain autumn
Kenney began his haiku journey seventeen years ago, a month shy of his 72nd birthday. A frequent subject is his life stage or state of health, though often seasoned with gentle irony . . .
snow softly falling
the way the oncologist
says “we”
the nurse asks
if there’s anything I want —
chemo suite
. . . or leavened with self-depreciating humor . . .
too quick
for my hand
winter fly
87
going on 88
I tell the child
Time and again, this collection proves to be life-affirming in its grace notes . . .
tiny sips
to make it last
autumn twilight
. . . and inspiring in its author’s fortitude . . .
steady rain
might as well
keep walking
We feel welcome and privileged to tag along.
See the complete list of winners of both Individual Poem Awards and Distinguished Books Awards in the Touchstone Archives.
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Bill, Congratulations! Wonderful haiku as always
Congratulations, Bill! These are stunning!
Congratulations, Bill, your haiku fit into my category of: wish I had written that.
Wonderful examples….I’ve always loved Bill Kenny’s work. So pleased to see him recognized this way. Congratulations to you Bill!
Adding this book to my list!
Much appreciated, Jim. And thank you, Joanna.
Well done Bill, lovely news.