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WHO
Anyone in the world, of any age or background, may participate (SCP Membership not required). 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.
IMPORTANT: By submitting haiku to this contest, the contestant declares that the poems are his or her own work, and that they were written in the last twelve months and therefore are not a repeat submission from a previous year. Poems written using artificial intelligence (AI) are not allowed. Please submit using your first and last name, as we may find it difficult to distinguish between contestants who have similar first names.
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PRIZE
$200
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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 August 15, 2025, 6 pm EST (New York time). Results to be announced August 28, 2025. Please check back on August 28 or after to view the “Best Haiku of 2025” selected from this competition. NOTE: THE HAIKU CONTEST HAS ENDED! No more entries, the comments have been closed! Thanks to all who entered!
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HOW
Post your entries in the Comments below.
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WHAT
Each competitor may post in the comments below 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.
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 Once entries are posted, they can be revised or withdrawn ONLY by making another Comment.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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wild winds walked wicked
as hollow spring seeds tumble –
a starved soil swan song
dormant cold ground meets
the warm rays of the morning
ice again water
The world seems distant-
claws at the nape of winter,
reminds me of you
I think I’m in love,
with the song of the crickets,
with you and the rain
in my garden pond
carp swim under dense duckweed
winter’s floral wreath
the breath of summer
cranes fly through wisps of sea fog
will they return soon?
a blanket of leaves
near the pedestrian lane
the old woman’s broom
after the first rain
a boy buries his sandals
beneath the wet field
dry-season sunset
a rooster crows at the truck
passing too slowly
evening monsoon
rice chaff dances in the air
but no one sings now
rap music blaring
pounding surf’s beat beat beat beat…
seagull’s mid-air dance
flip-flop metronome
walking to the pool alone–
laughter and splashing
behind glass seals dive
wide-eyed kid watches bubbles…
red snow cone mustache
Switch off from technology
And
Switch on and engage with Nature and Simplicity
fragrant night jasmine—
she hums plaiting her long hair
with the day’s first light
*
dust on ‘War and Peace’
even the armed spider pauses
before spinning on
*
autumn wind in reeds
a torn kite in the tree tugs
at deepening dusk
Haha!! Seems like my 1st entry has inspired your 1st haiku TOO MUCH 😀
The similarity is too uncanny:)
summer night concert–
leaves beginning to flutter
as the woodwinds play
tulip festival
a young artist arranges
all of his crayons
field of lightning bugs . . .
for an instant one perfect
moment of darkness
the warm summer sea
does not ask who I once was
it just lets me float
cicadas erupt
between the hush of my thoughts
summer holds its breath
moonlight on the dune
my shadow walks before me
summer wind behind
A pigeon prancing
While bright sunlight goes dancing
Mischief of spring fate
Ribbon of wet wind
Soaked petals search for shelter
Hide and seek they play
Paper planes out doors
Childhood lingers in scratches
Both sides beg for more
Autumn fog dissolves
In the fall of snow I breathe
Spring creeps silently
Radiated land
A bird returns to its nest
Among decaying remains
Whipping through the room
A baby croons in delight
The wind sings for one
Little rain falling
Nature’s weeping silently
Anticipating
“It’s taken a toll,
This long, dark night of the soul.
But now I’m whole.” -Fool
A dead grasshopper
All around, in withered grass,
Its neighbors still sing
A shaft of sunlight
Passing through August windows
Turns mere dust to gold
In the late spring snow
Standing there, in her bare feet
The first butterfly
they cared, loved, and lived,
like roots twined beneath one tree,
no world beyond them.
their eyes met, and stayed,
world faded beyond their gaze,
none but them remained.
Not sure where the ones i submitted before went, maybe i forgot to click submit? But here are the same three submissions!
1)the warm summer sea
does not ask who I once was
it just lets me float
2)cicadas erupt
between the hush of my thoughts
summer holds its breath
3)moonlight on the dune
my shadow walks before me
summer wind behind
Looks like only one of three appeared so here are my three entries
Full moon’s bright glow
Distant cackle in the night
Broomstick’s silhouette
Warmth of springtime’s snow
Crystal clear droplets falling
Taste the babbling brook
Hear silent echoes
Close your eyes and listen to
Colors making sound
I would like to withdraw my previous entries and submit the following:
Full moon’s bright glow
Distant cackle in the night
Broomstick’s silhouette
Fragrant cherry blooms
Bright pink and purple blossoms
Fall silently down
Loud crunch of an ax
Numbing cold winter’s morning
Bright crackling firelight
Sorry, forgot to edit the one mistake
First poem should read
A full moon’s bright glow
Distant cackle in the night
Broomstick’s silhouette
Thanks, Wendy, I’ve noticed!
Haiku:
open window light
barre beneath my wiser hands
I lift into grace
Artist’s Note:
This haiku captures a quiet summer morning in the ballet studio. The open window lets in light and warm air, carrying the season into the room. Summer, a season of ripeness and full bloom, was chosen to mirror the fullness of life that remains even beyond youth, countering the belief that a dancer’s bloom fades too soon. My wiser hands rest on the barre, a place of focus and discipline, as I prepare to rise onto pointe. This speaks to the journey shaped over time, every movement intentional and every breath carrying hope as grace meets me in this chapter.
1.
Burnt rose and cracked vase
withered leaves on dying twigs
and drought just begins
2.
Turkey vultures tear
the soldier’s eyes and entrails
in summer’s twilight
Seven pillars rise,
table set with bread and wine,
wisdom calls against the wind.
Inspired by Proverbs 9, this haiku captures Wisdom’s quiet, steadfast invitation in contrast to the louder calls of folly. The “wind” evokes both the natural world and the resistance faced when walking the path of understanding.
Shadows trace the mind
sweet water veils the grave’s mouth
your lips taste the lie
Note: This haiku captures the quiet seduction of false promises. The sweetness masks its cost, drawing the reader into the moment before awareness strikes. A choice is made and the truth remains hidden until it is too late.