Poet Profile

Nathalie Buckland

I was born in Wales of Irish parents, coming to Australia in 1969. My lifestyle, now that I have retired from teaching, is moderately alternate: growing vegetables, singing and drumming with a women’s band, writing, and enjoying my grandchildren. Haiku has become an absorbing interest in the last few years.

Awards and Other Honors: Honorable Mention, Mainichi Haiku Contest (Japan, 2009); First Prize, Yellow Moon Haiku (2006); Honorable Mention and book awards, “Oh-I, Ocha” New Haiku Contest (Japan 2006, 2007, and 2009); Joint First Prize for group of three haiku (“Riverbeats 2009”); Honorable Mention certificates, Vancouver Cherry Blossom festival (2006 and 2008); Finalist, Haiku Dreaming Australia Awards (2009); haiku published in the New Zealand Poetry Society Anthology ( 2008 and 2009).

Books Published: sand between the toes CD/book, with other haiku poets (Dangerously Poetic Press 2007, ISBN 9780958131469); Shards & Figments: Poems (Nimbin, N.S.W., 2013).

pallid daymoon
the pumpkin vine
withered

scuffle of wings                     
a peace dove claims
the tea tree

early frost                    
a scatter of termites 
from tonight’s log

someone’s postcard  
in my library book—
autumn rain

year’s end   
a lizard pauses
on the lintel

empty dam
the farmer casts
a dark shadow

Credits: "pallid daymoon" – Honorable Mention, Mainichi Haiku Contest (Japan, 2009); "early frost" - The Heron’s Nest XI:1 (2009); "year's end" - Notes From the Gean 1 (2009); "scuffle of wings" - moonset 5:1 (2009); "someone's postcard" - Presence 39 (2009); "empty dam" - Yellow Moon 16 (2004); sand between the toes CD/book (2007)