Poet Profile

Rafał Zabratyński

I like walking in the mountains. Paradoxically, admiration for a summit view becomes complete when it can be shared with someone else. That is why I write haiku.

Awards and Other Honors: Honorable Mention, The 14th Mainichi Haiku Contest (January 2011); Second Prize (Tokusen), 15th International Kusamakura Haiku Competition (November 2010); Honourable Mention, Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival Haiku Invitational (March 2009); Merit Award, The 18th ITO EN Oi-ocha New Haiku Contest (October 2007); A Special Prize, Genkissu! Spirits Up! World Wide Hekinan Haiku Contest (June 2007).

starry sky—
the aftertaste of iron
on my bitten tongue

empty café
a cool breeze leafs through
the dessert menu

thick stump
an ant crosses the growth rings
into my childhood

warm evening:
between Venus and me
the scent of lilac

farewell
the shape of wind
in her hair

leaden sky
the sharp angle
of the swallow’s turn

Credits: "starry sky" - Simply Haiku 8:2 (2010); "thick stump" - Tinywords 10:2 (July 9, 2010); "farewell" - Chrysanthemum II:3 (2008); "empty café" - Notes from the Gean 2:2 (2010); "warm evening" - The Mainichi Daily News, Daily Haiku Selection (September 24, 2009); "leaden sky" - The Heron’s Nest IX:4 (2007).