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WHO
Anyone in the world, of any age or background, may participate. Among members of the Society of Classical Poets, everyone including Advisory Board members may participate, if not involved in judging the contest. The winner, if not a U.S. resident, must have a PayPal account or a bank that accepts U.S. checks, in order to receive prize money.
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PRIZE
$100
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JUDGES
J. Thomas Rimer, Professor Emeritus of Japanese Literature, Theatre, and Art at the University of Pittsburgh; former chief of the Asian Division of the Library of Congress.
Margaret Coats, Ph.D. in English and American Literature and Language from Harvard University; retired from a career of teaching literature, languages, and writing that included considerable work in homeschooling for her own family and others.
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WHEN
Now until September 16, 2023, 6 pm EST (New York time). The original Sept. 15 deadline has been extended for those in other time zones. Results to be announced September 29, 2023 (corresponding with Tsukimi—the Japanese Moon Festival).
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WHERE
Post your entries in the Comments below.
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WHAT
Each competitor may submit up to three haiku of traditional form: three lines per poem with 5 syllables in the first line, 7 syllables in the second, and 5 in the third. Entrants are recommended to conform to other traditional haiku requirements outlined HERE.
IMPORTANT: By submitting haiku to this contest, the contestant declares that the poems are his or her own work, and that they were written after July 2022. Please submit using your first and last name, as we may find it difficult to distinguish between contestants who have similar first names.
If you want coaching on haiku features, please read the examples and explanation before submitting your entries. Once entries are posted, they can be revised or withdrawn ONLY by making another Comment. This is permitted until the competition closes, but do take reasonable care to complete work to your satisfaction before you enter it. Please do not use the Comment area as your scratch pad. That is discourteous to other competitors, to interested readers, and to the judge and will disqualify you.
Entries that do not meet basic traditional haiku requirements may be deleted. Anyone who submits more than three entries will have ALL his or her entries disqualified, unless excess entries are clearly withdrawn by a later Comment.
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PAST WINNERS
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Morning light through sky
Eyes deep in shadow so bare
Hands to her so fair.
Raised up to see her
Flashing colors bathing me
her name is beauty.
Flying hand in hand
Hair flowing voices clearing
Shouts of joy rising.
reluctant leaves fall
from an old tree showering
an old man walking
the orchids dazzle
beauty stealing air and sun
some unknown painter
puffy summer clouds
float across eternity
so high no birds fly
Crispy leaves afoot
Faded sprays of rose petals
Flower gardens pass
Alone in the night –
only a few crickets sing
one final concert
Night in the country –
now and then a black owl
upsets the quiet
Padlock on the gate –
at night in the neighbor’s yard
lots of fireflies
in the autumn dawn
creaking limbs cradle the moon
an old woman’s voice
trees stand finely still
and bear mute carved bird statues
a dull ax chops wood
night swallows embers
rising in the quiet cold
I stir moonless soup
Love lives forever
But death pauses at the door,
Then life forever!
I learn how to love
My heart breaks and grows strong,
Love must let go now.
Margaret,
These are three entries that have gone astray…
Gordana Kurtović – haiku poems:
acacia flower
on a May evening
smell of memories
human negligence
I fear more and more
for our Earth
haiku poet
the builder of the bridge
from East to West
What a pretty bird
With a red crest on his head
Tweet-tweet-tweet, he says
In the summertime,
I like to swim at the pool
With my family
Look an oriole
What a sweet colorful bird
I love orioles
twilight gardening
a grey and white mosquito
flits ever closer
summer afternoon
a lone seed of thistledown
drifts languidly by
dead sunflowers droop…
and a charm of goldfinches
suddenly appear
Early dusk descends
Awakening the nighttime
Fall is drawing near
A leaf butterfly
Flutters and floats to the ground
Then flies with fall winds
Night window open
Crickets’ lively song outside
Sleepy summer dreams
Haiku entry
As summer ends and
cool breezes blow, leaves change color
yellow, orange and red
Haiku entry:
As summer ends and
cool breezes blow, leaves change color
yellow, orange and red
The mighty oak falls
Thud then it all is silent
Acorn to table
Ripe grape on the vine
Crush to become a fine wine
A toast and to dine
Late snow storm abates
Orphan lambs’ cries pierce the air
Non-responsive ewes
Outside there is dew
Rays of sun peak through the clouds
And birds chirp and sing
Hazy autumn morn
Loons calling through mystic fog
your ashes set free
Heat-stroked red roses
weep in anticipation
evening dew on your lips
Stately white aspen
quaking with the restless wind
Fall tap-dances in
Earth, Water, Fire, Air
These are elements we share.
Hoarding is unfair.
Flowers start to bloom
Spring cleaning? I’ll grab the broom
Goodbye school classroom!
Weather starts to cool
I have started in with school
I will miss the pool
Family is there
Presents, presents everywhere!
Joy is in the air
bees swarm blossoms blue
hum of effort so divine
harvest liquid gold
Dark morning turns bright
Slow light leaks through window glass
Summer takes her leave
Hydrangea! All green
Full of life yet not one bloom –
Why on strike this year?
Roses, so demure
Armed, dangerous, offended
I need a bandage
“5-7-5” The five to seven five
They do not have to rhyme
But sanctioned some do.
“Haiku 2” ‘Four Roses’, lime, and ice – Drink prune juice and do crossword – It can be very nice.
“German Haiku”
Go drink some hot tea – Und gehe zu baden zimmer – Badly I must pee.
KARATE
Like a knife through air
His hands and feet fly switly
To his opponent
autumn rain . . .
to the rhythm of its drops
my long life
spring stream . . .
mixed in its nuances
all my carelessness
petrichor . . .
memories of our sins
in its soul