The winning haiku can be found here
Write a haiku on any topic and post it in the comments section below. The haiku must adhere to the traditional parameters of a haiku to qualify (and may be deleted if it does not). It must…
1. Be three lines. The first line must have five syllables, the second seven syllables, and the third five syllables. Seventeen syllables total (5-7-5).
2. Contain a nature or seasonal reference: the crumbling leaves, the cold air, the smell of manure, the taste of fresh black berries, the cicadas’ buzzing.
3. Be in the present tense (swims rather than swam).
4. Be subtle and observational.
5. Contain some sort of twist in the third line: a shift in perspective or mood, a surprise, a new interpretation of the first or second line.
Read more about writing a haiku here.
When: Now until Saturday August 8, 2020 midnight EST. Winners Announced August 15, 2020.
Who: Anyone in the world, any age or background, may participate. From within the Society, anyone, including Advisory Board Members, not involved in judging the contest may participate. (If you are outside the United States, you will have to have a PayPal account or a bank that accepts U.S. checks to receive the prize money if you win.)
What: Each entrant may submit up to three haiku. Any topic. Must conform to traditional haiku rules above.
Where: Post your haiku in the comments section below.
Prize: $100.
Judge: Mike Bryant
Entry Fee: None
the sunset has pulled
sherbet taffy across the
sky: hot sticky sweet.
dew drops on rose blooms
quiver then slide inside to
quench a beauty’s thirst.
the silent sound of
snow sifting through bare branches
wraps me in warm furs.
Nature Reveres Itself
Winds Blow and Trees Bow –
Thankful for Clouds Bringing Rain
That Bless the Sacred Trees.
Cycles
Dusk – Day Becomes Night.
Hope Dwindles, but Faith Remains…
Dawn – Night Becomes Day.
Natures Power
Crack – Tremendum. Fear.
Lightning Striking Somewhere Near.
Obscure to Mind’s Ear.
young stray allows me
to stroke her growing belly
cherry blossoms bloom
umbrellas crossing
the rain-wet street below us
petals in a stream
the spring’s first sighting
of the buzzy hummingbird
last day of chemo
Haiku #01
I sit at the tree
every Summer waiting for
the times we once had
Haiku #02
The smell of burning
in the crisp December air
beckoning past ghosts
Haiku #03
She awakens spring
with her presence as the dead
wail for their once queen
1. The last flying fox
Heads home with beating wing as
Evening softly falls.
2. The joy of seeing
Through dark’ning trees tonight a
Golden crescent moon.
3. Cat by the screen door
at the crepuscular hour
the moon in her eyes.
heavy waves ahead
calmness in the meadow sun
mask push us apart
shreds of iron rust
a temple bell tolls and a
cricket answers “spring” // I intended italics, not ” “, but my computer
won’t italicize here//
a chorus of crows
petals purple as plums fall
something like perfume
the cat tests the air
half the year gone already
rain digs in its heels
Crickets pierce the night
The smell of cut grass and rain
I awake in sweat
[ floating cotton balls ]
floating cotton balls
crashed together
thunderstorms
[ desert storm ]
desert storm
date palms uprooted
2000 dates on the sand
haiku 25.1.17
crack in the wall,
sun rays designs
art in the dark
fall resurfaces,
obi dark with pondwater.
warm vengeance stirring.
Rain pounds the sidewalk.
Wind swirls. Tree limbs scrape window.
Toddler looks and waves.
One Rose on a field
Dances and falls with the breeze
And paints a picture
Nagasaki Day —
from the tree a group of bats
fleeing to the sky
waning harmattan . . .
the village chief waits longer
for a less hot pap
snapping the cherries
and crocuses all day long . . .
the moon walks us home
“the moon walks us home” is a lovely line, beautiful image.
dozing in his boat –
fish scatter their phosphorus
at the splash of oar
a sorrowful night –
the tedious politics
of obdurate rain
laughter from next door –
you put your empty bottle
in the grubby bin
Late April morning
Wild, yellow, spiking tendrils
Yes, Forsythia!
Mountain waterfall
Drift off to secluded thought
The thunder returns!
Cascading waters
Mossy, verdant hideaway
Gentle spray, deep thoughts.
These are beautiful haiku. I enjoyed reading them.
two moons this clear spring
night–one drifts among the stars,
one floats in the lake
cicadas shatter
evening stillness–I dream of
runaway horses
snowflakes settle in
my flower bed–white blossoms,
livening dry stalks
1.
A crisp cool winter
Mixed with a great affliction
Can scorch a pure love
2.
The fall leaves tremble
Walking down the breezy path
A grave made too soon
3.
Flowers weep with joy
To the sound of their laughter
Lovers load boxes
1.
A crisp cool winter
Mixed with a great affliction
Can scorch a pure love
2.
The fall leaves tremble
Walking down the breezy path
A grave made too soon
3.
Flowers weep with joy
To the sound of their laughter
Lovers load boxes
shriveled cores adhere
to branches’ skinny season
sun sparks can’t revive
wind gropes the freeway
heavy footprints etched in ice
a madman in snow boots
in the birth of spring
snow gilds the tips of tulips
lingering for a time
“wind gropes the freeway”
is an excellent image
[HAIKU CAN BE READ TOGETHER OR SEPARATELY]
Title (optional): In Praise of Nature
#1
Being a wordsmith
is easy when compared to
being a birdsmith.
#2
Don’t love it too hard —
the garden needs its wildness
to keep on giving.
#3
Like an angry child
the wind wails and stamps its feet
and then falls asleep.
1.
Your words make a rise
The wind blows my tears away
Love will remain here
2.
The hill of our dreams
Where we gaze at countless stars
Forever you lay
3.
That man in orange
Cold as the Arctic’s climate
I grieve the victims
1.
Cloud of winter breath
Floats through the frostbitten air
Boy tries to catch it
2.
The mellow moonlight
Casts an eerie glow on you
This forbidden kiss
3.
Gray and white flashes
Run to the discarded food
Seagulls have breakfast
Waves leap toward me
Arms outstretched. Energy weak
Surrender, retreat
Wind, water, heat–earth
A big world we call our home
Yet, I’m still alone
Raw earth traps.
Cruel frigid air oppresses.
Christmas cacti bloom.