WiK was able to showcase its talent at a Poetry and Improv event held Sunday, June 6 at the Gnome Irish Pub. On display were five of our best poets, including Frost scholar Mark Richardson, WiK Competition winner Mayumi Kawaharada, poet-photographer James Woodham, the poems of A.J. Dickinson, and a tribute reading of Edith Shiffert’s poetry by John Einarsen. Plus a bonus ‘Fireflies’ poem by Ken Rodgers at the end. The poetry was interspersed with improvised musical interludes by Preston Keido Houser on shakuhachi and Gary Tegler on saxophone. A superlative evening full of magical moments. You could say the poets hit the right note, while the musicians took it to a different level. (iphone pics by John D., poems by Preston Keido Houser)
![](https://writersinkyoto.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/IMG_3355-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://writersinkyoto.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/IMG_3356-768x1024.jpg)
‘Mondo’
Why in the world
is why
in the world?
Why not not?
Just so because no.
![](https://writersinkyoto.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/IMG_3357-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://writersinkyoto.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/IMG_3358-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://writersinkyoto.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/IMG_3361-768x1024.jpg)
‘Refugees’
The island of smart is out there
visible on the horizon,
Accessible, but one must swim
across a sea of stupid.
Alas, most drown on the way.
![](https://writersinkyoto.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/IMG_3365-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://writersinkyoto.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/IMG_3372-1024x939.jpg)
![](https://writersinkyoto.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/IMG_3371-2-1024x768.jpg)