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My Favourite Haiku by Alan Summers
http://www.poetrysociety.org.nz/favourites/alansummers
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Thanks for sharing, Alan!
You were aware that there were 'all those women' and only two men whose poetry you chose? What does that set of choices say about women as haiku poets; there was a time, when women weren't distinguished poets of haiku :)
I enjoyed your selection, Alan.
Lorraine
Lorraine,
Early February saw a discussion on feminism with perspectives of "the orient" (Anna's terminology), posted by Anna.
I found Light Pilgrim's experienced voice interesting as to just how many women around the world are in positions of editor/publisher of haiku/journals/zines...
At your leisure, take a look.
Alan weighs in nicely on the point you are making, above.
Jan Benson
http://www.thehaikufoundation.org/forum_sm/index.php?topic=8528.0
Hi Lorraine,
Actually there are three genders represented.
In pre-haiku days a woman had to become a nun in order to write haikai verses. As Chiyo was widowed it probably was no big deal and she proved worthy to be included in her own right as a person to be revered along with leading haikai poets.
As I was constrained by the remit, I chose these haiku partly as I know everyone so well, and the struggles they face on a daily basis, except for Angela Terry. First and foremost it was the haiku, and the authors.
David Briggs was an exception, not by gender, but that as a highly respected mainstream poet he was willing to attempt haiku rather than attempt a mishmash that other poets so often do.
I could have easily included other poets of various genders including male gender and here is a selection of haiku I chose for the Per Diem feature (also three genders):
http://www.thehaikufoundation.org/per-diem-archive-details/?IDcat=277
I'm often gender blind, especially when running live workshops, where I forget which gender I've been assigned. It was very interesting a women's shelter that when an employee (female) said males were not allowed, I looked behind me thinking a man had just entered the building. It took a few seconds to realise that I was male gender as that doesn't apply to workshopping. I was officially invited, along with a female gender colleague, but I just forgot what I was. We had so much fun in the workshop, and gender was forgotten.
Although it's possible I relate to women in haiku, it's not inclusive. I could have easily included John McManus and Brendon Kent for instance. A longer feature would have included far more male gender, but it just worked out this way.
I am glad you enjoyed the selection as it was different from the other previous selections, mostly that the names are either unknown or new names.
kind regards,
Alan
Quote from: Lorraine Pester on April 01, 2016, 05:53:35 PM
You were aware that there were 'all those women' and only two men whose poetry you chose? What does that set of choices say about women as haiku poets; there was a time, when women weren't distinguished poets of haiku :)
I enjoyed your selection, Alan.
Lorraine
Interesting that Fay Aoyagi is President of the Haiku Society of America, and that Aubrie Cox is main editor for its journal Frogpond, and that many publishers such as Skylark, and magazines are run by women.
That is healthy. The previous editors for Frogpond were both women, and my chosen editor for The Heron's Nest is a woman, and my previous choice was also a woman. Of course I could have gone for other editors such as Paul McNeil ( a lovely and supportive editor ).
There should be no glass ceiling in haiku regarding gender or having to be an established voice. I remember Caroline Skanne being an unknown and having to support her worthiness. It was funny as I instinctively knew, without knowing her at all, that she would be good! Those doubters (women actually) did submit work after two issues. The same with Brass Bell (ed. Zee Zahava) who was a new name but I've been in every non-gender specific issue of haiku, and she helped edit a couple of early haiku, which I was delighted.
So it's not just gender, but online magazines have the clout now of new names being owners/publishers, and that is what I'm interested in. But, yes, intriguing, I often connect better with female editors and publishers, although Scott Metz was incredibly supportive of my submissions to Roadrunner, and patient, and eventually over a couple of years, I got several published in Roadrunner, and under aliases in its companion magazine MASKS (where he knew the author's name, but it remains anonymous).
So gender balance is good, and getting better, and Roberta Beary, a good friend (we've met several times) has also helped in certain areas.
But it's also this new name thing that I have always been interested in for over twenty years that is a passion.
Alan
Quote from: Jan in Texas on April 01, 2016, 08:58:07 PM
Lorraine,
Early February saw a discussion on feminism with perspectives of "the orient" (Anna's terminology), posted by Anna.
I found Light Pilgrim's experienced voice interesting as to just how many women around the world are in positions of editor/publisher of haiku/journals/zines...
At your leisure, take a look.
Alan weighs in nicely on the point you are making, above.
Jan Benson
http://www.thehaikufoundation.org/forum_sm/index.php?topic=8528.0
Alan,
An aside, on your response to Lorraine, please.
My practical/literal brain is working today, the abstract part, not so much.
When you say there are three genders,
is the third non-gender?
That is all for now from the bleechers...
Jan
Dru Marland who is a dear friend, is transgender:
http://dru-withoutamap.blogspot.co.uk
She is an awesome human being, and it's been a privilege to have known her for many years.
Dru is also the artist/owner/publisher of Gert Macky:
http://gertmacky.co.uk
warm regards,
Alan
Quote from: Jan in Texas on April 02, 2016, 06:11:55 AM
Alan,
An aside, on your response to Lorraine, please.
My practical brain is working today, the abstract part, not so much.
When you say there are three genders,
is the third non-gender?
That is all for now from the bleechers...
Jan
Quote from: Jan in Texas on April 01, 2016, 08:58:07 PM
Lorraine,
Early February saw a discussion on feminism with perspectives of "the orient" (Anna's terminology), posted by Anna.
I found Light Pilgrim's experienced voice interesting as to just how many women around the world are in positions of editor/publisher of haiku/journals/zines...
At your leisure, take a look.
Alan weighs in nicely on the point you are making, above.
Jan Benson
http://www.thehaikufoundation.org/forum_sm/index.php?topic=8528.0
Hi Jan,
Already read it :D
Lorraine
Alan,
Yeah, that would be logical. And I missed it.
Trans,
Thanks
Jan