Hi, I’m judith Railton.
I’ve written poetry of all kinds since I was a teenager, usually responding to what’s happening around me. At least they start that way but often follow their own paths into stories . My poems have been published as two books and in various magazines and anthologies . I’ve collaborated with musicians and composers for performance and recording.
Virtual Wirral Poetry Festival picnics and events on Zoom have been a fantastic inspiration and way to get together with poets this year.
I write reviews and articles and produce newsletters for art and environmental groups.
Because it’s continually exciting , freeing and friendly I’ve taught Creative Writing classes for adults for many years. When we couldn’t meet for real I carried on a weekly writing challenge for students by email. All their stories reflected life in Covid times and made into a book ,sent to national and local archives .
I most often write haiku when I’m on a country walk, sitting about in Wirral fields, woods and beaches, drawing in a rough sketchbook .
I’ve liked imposing the 5,7,5 format on my haiku this year , noticing a slight softening of this as Covid restrictions have softened.
The Daily Haiku is an inspiring , supportive and friendly community; stimulating, with interesting themes. Love the immediacy of Renga.
In my Creative Writing group my ethos is to be supportive, positive , encouraging a non-critical friendly atmosphere where students can develop their own style of writing .
Here’s two of the many haiku that take me strongly back to the places and season when I wrote them.
Walk fast from thunder
Through nettle-thistle forest
Caught by sudden rain
Pick late blackberries
Smell hay meadow newly cut
Wild geese fly overhead
All best and thanks to Amanda for continually stirring up the word-pot.
Judith Railton 17 December 2020 TDH/PNTwitter/
5 Comments on “Conversation 15: THE DAILY HAIKU Interviews: Judith Railton”
Many thanks Amanda for giving me this opportunity to think about my practice and share it with others . It’s helped to see how potent, how important writing haiku has been during Covid days, all best, Judith
I am so enjoying reading these interviews. It’s a privilege to share this space with like minded poets. Thanks for sharing
Your daily practice of writing haiku out on walks, sketching, painting and gathering natural objects, leaves, ferns, twigs, feathers… using old envelopes, collage…. is such a wonderfully holistic and interdisciplinary approach to creative writing. These gatherings produce the most beautiful work that brings the places you visit and your experiences to life for the viewer/reader. I love the way they operate on different levels – they are sensory delights that make me want to get right out in all weathers and draw/write/paint/forage/walk through my local landscapes where the words are waiting to find me and me them. What an adventure. Thank you Judith. I love foraging through THE DAILY HAIKU and finding your work. It feels a special shell or leaf I have chosen to take home and keep forever.
Your haiku continue to be an inspiration to me. Thank you for sharing a bit of yourself here and for all the work you do with and for others. When I see one of your haiku I feel I’m getting to know a part of your world even tho’ I’ve never gotten to physically travel there.
I love your work, Judith. The combination of sensitive drawing with haiku never fail to please.