The Shiki Monthly Kukai

March 2008 Kukai

Here are the results for the March 2008 Kukai, wherein our Kigo subject was "Anything Spring" and our Free Format word or phrase was "Aging".

Congratulations to Paul O. Williams, winner of our Kigo section and to Nancy Nitrio, winner of our Free Format section!

Those who were given less than three points and who requested anonymity in such a case are so noted.

(214 = 12) would indicate that the poem above received two 3-point votes, one 2-point vote, and four 1-point votes.

Voters comments are in italics below the respective poems.

March 2008 Results
Kigo Theme: Anything Spring	Free Format Theme: Aging
First Place – 32 Points near dusk-- a tadpole surfacing bursts the moon P. O. Williams (3,7,9) = 32 pts Good word choice, imagery and phrasing. The sense of breakthrough here is almost audible. Second Place – 24 Points mossy bank the doe nuzzles her swollen belly Susan Constable (1,6,9) = 24 pts As a city boy, I must confess I've never seen this, but it sounds right. It is near time and so skillfully presented that we note it for ourselves. This is haiku. Third Place – 21 Points spring night the astronomer finds a hole in his sock Petar Tchouhov (2,6,3) = 21 pts This haiku's sense of fun is appealing. Loved the story of this!  Great balance, too... the astronomer unable to resist the tug of the sky, the cold hole in the sock vs. the stars' fiery pinpricks in the night sky... really nice. 18 Points spring darkness a faint light from his workshop w. f. owen (2,2,8) = 18 pts The paradoxes contained in "spring darkness" and "faint light" bounce off each other and add wonderful depth. The mystery contained in "his workshop" (Who is "he"? What project is he working on?) also adds to the feeling of excitement: the poet so skillfully shows us that spring is a season pregnant with possibilities. I love the quiet, haunting quality of this. young grass - the silent walk of a paperboy Jacek M. (1,3,9) = 18 pts The boy's age and the grass's age are parallel, but there is a more complex, evolutionary relationship between the age of the grass and the paper (made from trees). I almost feel the grass as witness here: observing the non-languaged, graceful, animal movements of the boy and the codified, symbol-laden newspaper. 17 Points spring wind . . . a tulip undresses petal by petal   Mary Davila (0,2,13) = 17 pts 16 Points morning breeze - a robin lands on the basketball hoop Israel Lopez Balan (0,2,12) = 16 pts A moment full of the promise of spring, nicely observed. 13 Points between me and the preacher-- her Easter Bonnet   Pris Campbell (0,3,7) = 13 pts I like that there is more than one level to this haiku. This one says so much in these three little lines.  I really appreciate the layers of meaning. This haiku could have easily crossed the line into sentimentality by saying " warm sun", "a new chick" or "baby's hands" but, by carefully keeping just this side of the line it sketches - for me - a pure, unadulterated, perfectly lovely but not sickly-sweet moment of spring. I like the openness of the phrase, then the lovely surprise of line three. last snow patch -- the smell of new sneakers Ann K. Schwader (1,2,6) = 13 pts I'll take this over the smell of old sneakers any time! Nice homely moment, though. I like the implied image of dirty old sneakers (or even boots) being tossed aside and replaced with something that's whiter and brighter than the melting snow. 12 Points two in the morning — the rain and the roof are talking Shelley Krause (1,4,1) = 12 pts the sun goes in and out— running errands Marylouise Knight (2,2,2) = 12 pts 11 Points urban spring first daffodil in empty Coke bottle Gabriel Sawicki (0,4,3) = 11 pts daffodils in wind our first child stands Alice Frampton (0,3,5) = 11 pts 10 Points spring wind -- a swirl of traffic round the old stone church Isabelle Prondzynski (1,2,3) = 10 pts For me, this is an evocation of the emptiness of "Easter and Christmas" Christianity. sunlight a chick cupped in little hands Beth Powell (1,1,5) = 10 pts Sunshine and the chick perfectly paired. spring gust the butterfly bows with the daisy Meredith Stern Cavalieri (0,3,4) = 10 pts 9 Points morning chirp snail's track on the fence reflecting dawn Boris Nazansky (1,1,4) = 9 pts first date she shows me young buds Norsto (0,1,7) = 9 pts 8 Points spring breakup I patch a crack in the plaster tom painting (0,2,4) = 8 pts I tended to prefer the entries that avoided the word "spring," but this witty jux won me over. Warming ice may be the easiest way to find faults but this author points out another and at home. apple trees- the brightness of the new leaves   Rita Odeh (0,2,4) = 8 pts Nothing deep about this one, but it clearly conveys a moment of pure delight. cold front approaching I take a photo of the cherry blossoms Ruth Franke (0,2,4) = 8 pts spring drizzle the dancing fingers at a deaf school   kala ramesh (0,2,4) = 8 pts I like that there is more than one level to this haiku. tiny fists shaking in the wind early buds ruthanne (0,1,6) = 8 pts 7 Points her first tooth under the pillow early spring buds Elena Naskova (0,2,3) = 7 pts In her palm a blue butterfly... the first kiss Constantin Stroe (0,3,1) = 7 pts her daily jogging... slower now, passing each pink magnolia   Zhanna P. Rader (0,2,3) = 7 pts 6 Points third day of rain-- a couple of puddle ducks being themselves   Ami (0,0,6) = 6 pts The rain it raineth every day, or at least it feels that way sometimes. And that's when we might say "Oh, to be a puddle duck!" I like how this sounds out loud -- casual and comfortable, like the ducks. warm sun- mimosa blossoms yielding to green Barbara Campitelli (0,2,2) = 6 pts This is more an early summer kigo but it is a beautiful haiku, as gently written as sunlight upon the mimosa. Good Friday     seed potatoes already sprouted   Ben Gieske (0,0,6) = 6 pts baby coots startled by drifting pollen Bridget Cougar (0,1,4) = 6 pts first spear of asparagus winter is dead   gourdman (0,1,4) = 6 pts blazing over scorched hillsides— spring wildflowers   Melissa Spurr (1,1,1) = 6 pts A haunting juxtaposition for the California fires. Such irony that something so beautiful can blossom from the same land that months earlier was a devastating, horrific disaster. A beautiful but gentle reminder of the trauma that lies just beneath those flowers.  Six very powerful words. leap day -- the old pond abides in stillness Nancy Smith (1,0,3) = 6 pts 5 Points spring equinox      the sweet scent of funeral roses   ed markowski (0,1,3) = 5 pts Beautiful balance:  the heaviness of the funeral, the lightness of fragrance. I can feel them mingle inside me when I read this poem. purple lilacs from grandma- she stifles a sneeze Leslie Montgomery (0,1,3) = 5 pts widow's garden ~ the first weeds of Spring   Paul Hodder (0,0,5) = 5 pts Neglect as a reflection of loss... moving. side street a sleeping policeman halts cherry petals RaV (0,2,1) = 5 pts Lovely picture, and made me smile. I hope that sufficient voters know the English expression "sleeping policeman"! traffic forced to choose - migrating toads   Sara Winteridge (0,1,3) = 5 pts 4 Points Saint Patrick's Day a woodpecker plays drum on an oak tree   Audrey Downey (0,0,4) = 4 pts washed by rain a robin flicks its tail carol pearce-worthington (0,0,4) = 4 pts I trim the heather a bee stumbles onto my hand Harvey Jenkins (0,1,2) = 4 pts potted primroses a motorcycle rips in the distance Jennifer Corpe (0,1,2) = 4 pts blizzard conditions-- a snow-covered robin stops by my window   jill (0,2,0) = 4 pts spring breeze new baby joins in the birds' chirp john tiong chunghoo (0,1,2) = 4 pts a bit brighter after the lullaby... sleepy moon Josh Wikoff (0,1,2) = 4 pts in the church Mozart's Requiem - spring outside Li Ree (0,1,2) = 4 pts frozen river; and suddenly.. gurgling sounds. manoj saranathan (0,2,0) = 4 pts noon bells–– the daffodil knows something Sabine Miller (0,1,2) = 4 pts Green flags wave again... spring Vasile Moldovan (1,0,1) = 4 pts 3 Points songs from a tree the return of the mockingbird   Bill Hudson (0,1,1) = 3 pts late breakfast mourning doves nesting on the windowsill   Bill Kenney (0,0,3) = 3 pts cherry blossoms the footbridge arches into drifts of white Catherine J.S. Lee (0,0,3) = 3 pts March winds blowing through the branches twigs from a new nest   Ella Wagemakers (0,1,1) = 3 pts evening sun leant against the last bag of compost Helen Buckingham (0,1,1) = 3 pts snow melt dodging pot holes and road work signs Judith Gorgone (0,1,1) = 3 pts Nothing says 'early spring' quite like a good Road Work Ahead sign! boat on sands - spring sun bathes on her bottom Lech Szeglowski (0,1,1) = 3 pts at night in the forest -- blossoming mold Michael McClintock (0,0,3) = 3 pts playing on the FM a song half-remembered... spring again sanjuktaa (0,1,1) = 3 pts 2 Points lawn sprinkler daffodils already drooping   Angelika Kolompar (0,1,0) =  2 pts Sometimes spring and summer arrive together. Nice sounds combined with a lovely visual make this effective. The first sign of spring, in the Dairy Queen window OPEN FOR BUSINESS   Conrad Sienkiewicz (0,0,2) = 2 pts first daffodils too bright for a Monday morning   Deborah P Kolodji (0,0,2) = 2 pts tree-frog choir practice in the sweet still of evening harmonies rising Deirdre Godwin (0,0,2) = 2 pts march madness first chipmunk eats the first crocus bloom Edward (0,1,0) =  2 pts Spring rain A speckled fawn hides in the May flowers Elaine Fields (0,0,2) = 2 pts lilac blossoms swell from spring rains -- i sneeze again!   fedelmia (0,0,2) = 2 pts row of white flowering plum trees around crematorium Jim Applegate (0,1,0) =  2 pts raging storms- sweet violets and I holding on   Marlene Buitelaar (0,0,2) = 2 pts Evocative and personal in simple language. budding lilac the red umbrella, a Y   anonymous (0,1,0) =  2 pts Fine misted rain Sprays my face Seedlings grow   Nadine Spalter (0,1,0) = 2 pts abandoned coffee cup– lipstick, cigarette butts, and cherry blossom petals Robert Ertman (0,1,0) =  2 pts spring warmth a painted turtle munches blue wildflowers   Warren Gossett (0,0,2) = 2 pts first warm day - puppies dash through the slush chasing dry leaves zeyda (0,0,2) = 2 pts 1 Point little lambs your butts so soft Barbara Snow cool spring morning the dreaming slug rustles its antennae   Bruce Ross from the orchard- sweet fragrances still in her hair Dejan Pavlinovic spring lace raindrops bedeck the budding birch   Frances McCarthy warmer days; a mountain's snowy peaks shedding  tears frederick gier twittering birds ~ higher than the bank's roof pink poui blossoms gillena willow tree winter tresses all unfurling ...   Jan O'Loughlin Spring mist the geese unsettled by a prescribed burn jt wafts of perfume love is in the air ~ cherry blossoms Keith A. Simmonds Easter dress - wet snow covers pale grass   Laurene first coo of spring I chase a mourning dove off my deck LGD interrupted concert first croaks this spring still without reply Maria Kowal morning hunt the barred owl's muffled growl Mary Stevens morning chirping redbreasts foraging it is upon us   Mr. PC color splashed muslin chemises cling quenched Rebba azure sky ~ breathing space under plum blossoms Reza-Iran spring drowsiness I snuggle up to the clouds rob scott daffodil cups dusted with snow winter's last hurrah Rose Marie Stutts Spring showers :: the sprouting potato in the cupboard Sjs Clock forward, I feel the sun's warmth. Evening walk. Trevor Camp No points this time, sorry. stolen supper our cat pats at a dry leaf on the hedgehog andrea With dashing lashes- magnificent and eager, the sun wakes through clouds. Arlene Hummel colts frolicking - first time in the pasture scent of hyacinths anonymous warm weather- a mother robin building her nest   Betty Kaplan tomb of the unknown soldier -- a lone purple flag bows its head bre :^) following too close I step in steaming cow plop early thaw anonymous After Spring rain brook in the park rolling a blue and white ball D.V. Rozic the magic of vernal equinox - a newly hatched chick emerges from an ovate spheroid   Daniela Bullas once there was laughter daffodil blades now pierce her grave Earl Keener old branches presenting their new leaves wintertime is over emile molhuysen Laughter of children sprawled on the hurricane blasted daffodil bed Fûseki solo interlude – the lovesick cuckoo calls to his mate   Gautam Nadkarni the fragrant spring in hardly growing leaves surrounds trees goblet Turned seventy-two. Today first anemones near the path I took. Horst Ludwig deep pink buds— this year the camellia will have many blooms anonymous young granddaughter watches the March snow fall . . .sighs "I want to plant carrots." Jeanne Jorgensen under the new moon in raised garden beds bold perennials rise   Jeff Hanson our tree shrugs off the early spring frost but I cannot change Jon Baldwin starlingstunned in a cherryblossomstorm sprinsprangsprunged   Jon Espen Vassbotn a new ivy shimmy around the old willow spring breeze Joyce Clement Eastern redbud gazing at energy petals mystic fields of longing   Lorene Daybreak breeze – spreading their perfume the hyacinth   Miorita March rains dissolve winter's white and black blanket - to let green shoots awaken   Philip Mizener April Sunday mother-in-law phones: first robins! Ruth Powell birds on a wire a couple…a couple.........one alone nesting time Tanya Dikova a drenched bumblebee before flying off buzzing in place Tomislav spring evening- even in this season a wilted flower   vishnu kapoor Beneath low grey clouds my dog wallows in rain puddle later mud in the bathtub yositaka General Comments: There are so many really good ones this time I had difficulty deciding. Is there any topic/kigo that invites more haiku cliches? But there are a lot of fresh looks at familiar themes among this month's entries.	First Place – 27 Points gardenias … a summer dance so long ago Nancy Nitrio (1,7,10) = 27 pts Second Place – 21 Points full moon - so many vines on the banyan tree Judith Gorgone (2,4,7) = 21 pts This is a wonderfully lyrical depiction of aging. Third Place – 18 Points winter beach my rough hands choose the smoother stones   Jan O'Loughlin (0,3,12) = 18 pts I started liking this at "winter beach"... we've all been there... and I can FEEL everything: the rough skin, the smooth cold stones... cold rain a wrinkled hand traces drops on the window   Warren Gossett (0,4,10) = 18 pts 17 Points winter sun… the scent of lemon from old wood Nancy Smith (0,4,9) = 17 pts 16 Points class reunion I introduce myself with each step Jacek M. (2,2,6) = 16 pts I like the deliberate pace of this, in keeping with the mental image. forgetting the way home he sits in a field of flowers w. f. owen (0,2,12) = 16 pts 14 Points remarkable getting smaller every year eye of the needle emile molhuysen (1,2,7) = 14 pts again at the anniversary she unfolds the yellowing letter Leslie Montgomery (0,4,6) = 14 pts 13 Points she looks at her own and recognizes her mother's hands Carmel Lively Westerman (2,3,1) = 13 pts spring evening grandma telling the same story Dorota Pyra (0,3,7) = 13 pts I'm envisioning a circle of rapt young listeners. blue asters... father's eyes no longer know me Irene Golas (1,1,8) = 13 pts birds return . . .     the steady pace of his walking stick   kala ramesh (1,1,8) = 13 pts I love the humor in this and, unfortunately, how easily I can relate to it. 12 Points again he sighs and tells her his name afternoon fog Catherine J.S. Lee (0,3,6) = 12 pts A poignant reminder of memory loss and how difficult it is for everyone involved. face in the mirror a map of my life   Frances McCarthy (2,1,4) = 12 pts 11 Points antique store window... her childhood doll's face   Melissa Spurr (1,2,4) = 11 pts how did I do it-- touching my big toe to my nose? P. O. Williams (0,2,7) = 11 pts Anyone past a 'certain age' has surely asked themselves this question. This made me chuckle. only caramels left in the candy bowl - old-age home Susan Constable (1,1,6) = 11 pts It's sad to think that not many 'young' visitors have come by to eat any either. Very telling! Well done! 10 Points 55th spring   the cardiologist inserts a new balloon   ed markowski (0,3,4) = 10 pts cherry petal my daughter's first shade of lipstick Josh Wikoff (0,1,8) = 10 pts A nice evocation of spring and its transient nature... aging isn't only for the old! sundown dad turns on the light in 1945   Laurene (1,2,3) = 10 pts 8 Points ninety candles on top of it all he makes a wish tom painting (1,2,1) = 8 pts 7 Points visiting time she holds a new tremor Paul Hodder (0,2,3) = 7 pts tugging black gloves over her liver spots another funeral   Pris Campbell (0,1,5) = 7 pts 6 Points my grandfather -- using less and less of his cane Abraham Muuo (0,1,4) = 6 pts A nice image! senior center - with glasses I see I fit right in Alice Frampton (0,0,6) = 6 pts I can see the rueful smile of recognition. just before closing an old man browses the self-help books   Bill Kenney (0,1,4) = 6 pts first gray hair the one secret- in our marriage   D.M. (0,2,2) = 6 pts can't forget to stop worrying can't remember why   Mr. PC (0,1,4) = 6 pts 5 Points my grandmother looking at me closely -- the frown on her face Anne Wairimu (1,0,2) = 5 pts this year kids garden grandma sleeps on the porch swing cats curled on her lap ARW (1,1,0) = 5 pts stiff fingers delete old email addresses dead friends   gourdman (0,1,3) = 5 pts morning sun-- cutting up pop's egg and toast jt (0,0,5) = 5 pts crackling record a smile on my granny's wrinkled face Petar Tchouhov (0,0,5) = 5 pts sunny evening -- my grandmother talking to herself Solomon Kilelu (0,0,5) = 5 pts winter night- melts each moment the candle   vishnu kapoor (1,0,2) = 5 pts 4 Points the old janitor locks the library doors early late winter evening   Bruce Ross (1,0,1) = 4 pts afternoon nap gray strands of hair on the cushion   Ella Wagemakers (0,1,2) = 4 pts dawn half numb half feeling my age   Helen Buckingham (0,1,2) = 4 pts storm damage -- the trees of my youth are growing old Isabelle Prondzynski (1,0,1) = 4 pts how few candles in grandpa's birthday cake – leap year Israel Lopez Balan (0,1,2) = 4 pts another spring; memories of sakura.. grow blurry. manoj saranathan (0,2,0) = 4 pts "1890" -- under the owner's name carved in the oak Michael McClintock (0,1,2) = 4 pts forest stroll the flicker of sunbeams on her wrinkles RaV (0,1,2) = 4 pts my empty check mate dad... the Master can't remember his moves Rose Marie Stutts (0,2,0) = 4 pts octogenarian - the seed he chooses will flower this year   Sara Winteridge (0,1,2) = 4 pts 3 Points holiday politics my brother's frown my father's Ann K. Schwader (0,0,3) = 3 pts new spring- seeing in the mirror a collection of years Barbara Campitelli (0,0,3) = 3 pts a spawned-out salmon     through my reflection...deeper Barbara Snow (1,0,0) = 3 pts winter day she inherits her grandmother's cane Beth Powell (0,0,3) = 3 pts too quickly again the skunk stripe on my head-- time to dye Bridget Cougar (1,0,0) = 3 pts old age-- he trips on rice carol pearce-worthington (1,0,0) = 3 pts afternoon picnic our hair grayer, the rocks harder   Deborah P Kolodji (1,0,0) = 3 pts Aging in an outdoor setting, easy to imagine and feel. my gray beard grandson borrowed my razor Jim Applegate (0,1,1) = 3 pts little moon you are also left alone quite still Jon Baldwin (0,1,1) = 3 pts humming with the 60s protest song a senior citizen Mary Stevens (0,0,3) = 3 pts almond blossoms - an old man squatting near an open cage   Rita Odeh (0,1,1) = 3 pts A poignant story there... for the reader to complete... enough is left unsaid to open all kinds of possibilities! 2 Points 30th birthday... looking for a surprise that never comes Agnes Eva Savich (0,1,0) = 2 pts tea leaves cling to the sides of his cup aged hands   Allison Millcock (0,0,2) = 2 pts a new retiree finishing his morning paper on a park bench anonymous (0,0,2) = 2 pts birthday cake     lighting the candles the third match   Ben Gieske (0,0,2) = 2 pts slow stiff gait the old dog and I fetch the mail   bre (0,0,2) = 2 pts see my reflection who is that in the mirror me or my mother? Deirdre Godwin (0,1,0) = 2 pts the silent treatment-- grandma takes a drink from her denture glass Earl Keener (0,0,2) = 2 pts county fair blue ribbon she recalls each entrant all gone now Edward (0,1,0) = 2 pts candle light - the broken gutter taps gently on the window Fûseki (0,1,0) = 2 pts baby bird's first chirp daughter climbs into the car wearing taffeta Harvey Jenkins (0,1,0) = 2 pts the first year-- the new paper boy is younger than I   anonymous (0,0,2) = 2 pts her spectacles hanging round her neck found feelingly   anonymous (0,0,2) = 2 pts autumn rain . . . reflections of her life in the empty puddles   anonymous (0,0,2) = 2 pts aisle seat -- she moves on to great-grandchildren   anonymous (0,0,2) = 2 pts new life stage – the teenager gives his marbles to his younger brother Tomislav (0,0,2) = 2 pts breezy evening -- my grandmother trembles Wandera David (0,0,2) = 2 pts Mother's eyelids close her mouth hangs open a cloud moves across the moon yositaka (0,0,2) = 2 pts grandpa smells of pipe tobacco smoke and bay rum zeyda (0,1,0) = 2 pts 1 Point green light wheeled walker still half in the street andrea the state of mind not matching the face in the mirror   Bill Hudson birthday candles... counting age spots on her hand Carolyn Coit Dancy father and son under grandpa's cherry tree- the first blossoms Dejan Pavlinovic My childhood friend's funeral. I'm having a hip replaced. Horst Ludwig my grandfather chewing soft vegetables -- his toothless mouth John Mwangi my grandmother brushing a toothless mouth-- ageing Joseph Kilunda slow steps -- "Aisle 7," she giggled, "for reading glasses" LGD open secret— her hands are older than her face Marylouise Knight bent pilgrim her walk slower by evening Meredith Stern Cavalieri sunny my aging mother   anonymous my grandfather holding onto my hand -- a slow walk Onesmus silver streaks in chignoned hair gracefully held Rebba new blade - dad's wrinkles line my face rob scott cable car view the old trails passing by Ruth Franke those gnarled hands once softly played on my skin Ruth Powell in line and moving up without meaning to anonymous I reach for the coffee cup my grandmother's hand Sjs first one then two familiar faces vanish-- am I growing old? Tanya Dikova an old woman paints her own portrait... of years ago   Zhanna P. Rader No Points this time, sorry. Grandma's parchment skin on the back of her hands – on mine this winter anonymous face still young only her hands shows aging Angelika Kolompar an untilled eye gazed at a honey dawn plowing infinite beauty. Arlene Hummel who ever said "age is just a number"            t'aint so!   Betty Kaplan my grandmother -- cap tightly covering her bald head Bilha Wanjiku the fading signal all my favorite singers gone, Daddy, gone...   Conrad Sienkiewicz Her sewing machine - index finger trembles among old buttons D.V. Rozic the baby's in his cot - grandma's green fingers touches the perennial flower beds   Daniela Bullas In the sink his reflection of yesterday's hair Elaine Fields forty springs later he tries to walk leaning on his father's cane Elena Naskova my grandfather searching for his specs -- grey eyes Fatuma Katana Honeysuckle vines thrive in the gladiolus bed -- Grandpa's trophy garden   fedelmia autumn lunch – my belly overflows from the trousers   Gautam Nadkarni grey beads swing an old man rides a bike across a pine road hussein haji my mother looking for dye -- more grey hair Irene Muthengi walking in the snow a bundled stride of long hair with a warm smile   Jeff Hanson daddy longlegs silver strands catch failing light Jennifer Corpe anti wrinkle cream she looks and looks for the right customer   john tiong chunghoo another strange bird what's his name, grandpa? first time for me, dear!   Jon Espen Vassbotn 86th year how his eyes have wandered from the road Joyce Clement former beauty queen counting her wrinkles... ravages of time Keith A. Simmonds grandma's wrinkle hands with the scent of sage sickle moonlight Lech Szeglowski a man is aging from his feet and up - a priest arrives Li Ree my grandmother searching for tobacco -- a new pipe Lucy Nyambura now softening the square line of his jaw these first lines...   Marlene buitelaar my grandmother struggling to chew meat -- lunchtime Martin Kamau beside the bed her serviceable shoes -- the story miriam chaikin Withered hands an upside down bouquet in tissue thin wrapping   Nadine Spalter other dancers move - youthful zeal propels them - his old steps reveal skill   Philip Mizener do you care me Scarecrow  ~ alzheimer Reza-Iran fuzzy blue crowns grandmother and her cheddar ruthanne Evening walk, the sun is sinking. Old legs ache. Trevor Camp General Comments: A challenging theme, which I have enjoyed, both writing and reading. It was quite hard to write about "ageing", rather than "age" or "old age". A good crop of poems.

Thanks to our poets who entered the March kukai and special thanks to our guest poets, Ferris Gilli and Jim Kacian, who lent us their work for the kukai samples!

Call for submissions for the April kukai will be announced on Monday, April 7th, 2008. See you then!

With much appreciation,

Robert Bauer, Secretary
Gary Warner, Web Host

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