Poet Profile

Bett Angel-Stawarz

Bett Angel-Stawarz wrote her first haiku in 1967 while in high school. She started writing free form poetry in 1992 and progressed to haiku in 2006. She owns and works in her recycling business in Barmera. She is the mum of two stray cats who think they are posh cats now.

Awards and Other Honors: Second Place and Highly Commended, Friendly Street Poets Competition (2008); Finalist, Jack Stamm Award (2009); Selection for publication, Australia Dreaming Haiku Competition (2009); Honourable Mention, Gerald Brady Memorial Award for Senryu (Haiku Society of America, 2011).

the curve
of a peacock's tail
afternoon rainbow

flooded city
the detour sign
directs the flow

rain clouds drift off with their promise

Anzac sunrise
the old bugler's lips
quiver

winter's morning
      the dog
               pulling me into it

deep frost
between the sheets
stillness

Credits: "the curve" – Highly Commended, Friendly Street Poets Competition (2008); "rain clouds" – Frogpond 30:3 (2007); "winter's morning" – Second Prize, Friendly Street Poets Competition, moonset (2008); "flooded city" – Finalist, Jack Stamm Award (2009); " Anzac sunrise" – selected for publication in The Dreaming Collection published by Australia Dreaming Haiku Competition (2009); "deep frost" – Stylus Poetry Journal (2008).