Haiku journals vary greatly in production, presentation and quality. I was pleased to discover a new journal, Kokako, that lands close to the top of all three categories.
Kokako is published out of New Zealand. Editors Patricia Prime and Margaret Beverland were kind enough to send a copy of issue #34 (April 2021). The journal is professionally printed, saddle-stitched, and includes almost 80 pages of haiku, tanka and related forms.
Like some other haiku journals, Kokako is not themed but the poems are sequenced in such a way as to lead the reader from one season or topic to the next. The poems flow easily, and the order doesn't feel forced or shoehorned.
Though the journal includes verses that evoke a rainbow of feelings, there seem to be a large number of nostalgic poems in this issue.
your constant smile
the framed glass cold
on my lips
- Jan Dobb
It's not all sadness and longing, though. Hopeful poems are included as well.
backyard bbq
dogs chase kids chasing
cricket balls
- Tom Staudt
In addition to haiku there are many tanka, haibun and other longer poems. A couple of pages focus on moments taken from the pandemic and quarantine. Readers from outside the New Zealand/Australia region will enjoy the local-flavored poems featuring koalas, wallabies and penguins.
All in all, Kokako #34 is a pleasure to read. The issue includes many good poems and there are some well-known poets featured among the pages. I'm thankful to have a few of my poems included, and grateful for the opportunity to peruse this issue. Kokako doesn't appear to have its own website, but subscription and submission information can be found on the NZPS' Publications page.
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