Haiku Contest

Haiku is a traditional Japanese poem of three lines, often, but not always, composed of 17 syllables arranged in a 5-7-5 form.  Haiku usually contains a reference to nature and the seasons and reflects a Buddhist perception about life.

Many thanks to those who submitted Haiku poems. Many were very good. Some were funny. Picking the five best was a challenge. But these five reflect the simplicity and transcendence of the art form. Domo arigato!!

Read what Patricia Donegan, poetry editor of the Kyoto Journal, has to say about Chiyo-ni's Way of Haiku.  It may just inspire you.

SEVENTH ANNUAL AKAI HANA HAIKU CONTEST

2008 WINNERS

GRAND PRIZE WINNER

Misaki’s hot bath

under the cherry blossoms;

Shakti by moonlight

 Tony Williamson

(note: Shakti is the Hindu goddess personifying femininity)

Silk Road adventure-

ants smell of Turkish citrus

and spice as they march

Ashley Atkins

Sun rising over

rolling blue hills of my past

shines on the shadows

Ashley Atkins

The acorn knows so

many different stories

but tells only one.

Kevin Callaghan

Still warm from the kiln

brown clay bowl, perfect, round as

my pregnant belly

 Malaika King Albrecht

Winners, 2007

GRAND PRIZE WINNER

Sweet splashing child with

Spring raindrops and sparkle smiles

Pool of memories

 Curtis Fladung

The sun has vanished

The world becomes a painting

Melting from the rain

Elana Horwitz

In the afternoon

Thunder and lightning battle

While rain is falling

Taylor Wilt

As the days get cold

The snowball of winter rolls

Building on itself

Sara Margolis

Over the hill

Closer to home

I will begin at the end

Leah Sobsey

Winners, 2006

GRAND PRIZE WINNER

EQUINOX

watch how the mountain

chisled bare by winters hand

sprouts new skin for spring

Susan Lefler

remembering her

on a light branch of my heart

i climb where I could not.

Jeff Martin

through split granite rock

water sings over green moss-

the mountain's wet prayer.

Malaika King Albrecht

she worries

about his striking looks -

the cardinals wife

Ron Bell

reclaiming the barn

washing in from springtime fields

kudzu, like the sea.

Daniel Westreich

eating grass, so sweet

i am a caterpillar

life is appetite

James Scott - 10

chopsticks, you are as

quiet as felled pine trees in

a winter forest.

Margaret Burns

tiramisu, yum

i like the smell of coffee

too young to drink it

Michael Flanary - 8

jewels of the sea

blankets of white, gowns of green

the art that brings peace

Mike Harris

I love the garden

it is outside of my door

it's summer once more

Nicholas Elston - 7

buttery, thick, raw

sticky pearls wrapped in black sea

my satisfaction

Gretchen Bade

Winners, 2005

TWO GRAND PRIZE WINNERS
They each win a dinner for two for submitting their Haiku:

Jude Casseday

When there is no cat
the sun leaps through the window
and into my lap.

Margaret Mueller

Orchid blossom drops --
six weeks you graced my table.
I will miss your face.

PRIZE WINNERS
(each of the following wins a $25.00 gift certificate)

Ron Bell:

O Hummingbird
darting in the hose spray,
come back as my wife.

Jude Casseday:

My mantra begins
when you walk into the room
How lucky am I?
How lucky am I?

Dick and Barbara Stewart:

Moonlit oil rig
What's a caribou to do?
Write to Dick Cheney.

Blaise Kielar:

Petals of ginger
bloom over fresh sculpted rolls
Main Street's red flower.

Winners, 2003

GRAND PRIZE WINNER
She wins a dinner for two for submitting this Haiku:

Glowering at me
The oppressive sun beats down.
What was my offense?

WINNERS
(each of the following wins a $25.00 gift certificate)

Honorable Mention

Virginia Fenwick:

Sultry summer air
Like I care,
Like I care.

Winners, 2002

Grand Prize Winner
She wins a dinner for two for submitting this Haiku:

Early greens for sale-
How will I fit so much Spring
In my small basket?

Honorable mentions:
(each of the following wins a $25.00 gift certificate)

Marya Ilgen-Lieth:

Icy toes of frost-
Creep under earthen blankets,
Shock the dreamer: Spring.

Donna Baird:

Forsythia breathe-
Inhaled in full moon's beaming
Exhaled in dawn frost.

Diane Baron:

Little persimmon
Sunshine has warmed your ripe flesh
So orange, so sweet.

Sue Covalla:

I see you egret-
Persnickety gentleman
Stepping out to dine.