"Fujimara Yasumasa Plays the Flute in Moonlight" by YoshitoshiHaiku Competition 2022 The Society June 29, 2022 Haiku and Senryu, Poetry, Poetry Contests 612 Comments . Our 2023 Haiku Competition is on now HERE. 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 resident in the United States, must have a PayPal account or a bank that accepts US checks, in order to receive prize money. . PRIZE $100 . JUDGE Margaret Coats . WHEN Now until August 15, 2022. Results to be announced August 30, 2022. . WHERE Post your entries in the Comments below. . 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. They should be new poems, written since the closing of the 2021 haiku competition. Although this competition is held in summer, haiku dealing with any season are acceptable. 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 Once entries are posted, they can be revised or withdrawn ONLY by making another Comment.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who submits more than three entries will have ALL his or her entries disqualified, unless excess entries are clearly withdrawn by a later Comment. . PAST WINNERS 2021 2020 . . NOTE TO READERS: If you enjoyed this poem or other content, please consider making a donation to the Society of Classical Poets. The Society of Classical Poets does not endorse any views expressed in individual poems or commentary. ***Read Our Comments Policy Here*** 612 Responses Qutbuddin Loren Smith June 29, 2022 Earth 16 Spring’s waters sing. They are rushing, hiding, jumping, pushing, laughing life. Earth 17 Ebullient birds finding sweet lilting freedoms …pouring forth such…joy! Darshayita Paul July 18, 2022 Little did the vampire know, that the blood dripping from the rose had poison in its petals. Grabbing by the collar and stabbing an envious scholar is relatively easy, than slowly poisoning with words. Your eyes burn too brightly, like the stars twinkling in the sky; unlike mine, the darkest night. Hambone August 15, 2022 I don’t think blood has petals. Wren July 28, 2022 a frog hops on grass wish i was as light as it dancing in the rain curtains drawn, i sit my room mirroring a womb. the sun, my mother the clouds race, giggling the high hills covered in mist my home lies beyond Jan Rowell E. Favor August 1, 2022 walking without shoes my burdened soles feel the sand of this tranquil beach Leo S August 14, 2022 She sighs motherhood as wind kisses leaves goodbye dandelions weep Mona August 5, 2022 Crickets chirping loud Morning dew cleanses fresh grass Peeking Sun smiles, shy. Rishika August 14, 2022 Nature beams, sated; Soothed are souls ,content is life Neath the divine drops. Rishika August 15, 2022 The little robin, singing of the autumn’s end brings joy from his arm. Rishika August 15, 2022 Behind the tall trees, the cold winter has brought ice On the deep black lake . Leo S August 14, 2022 She sighs motherhood as wind kisses leaves goodbye dandelions weep Leo S August 14, 2022 She sighs motherhood as wind kisses leaves goodbye dandelions weep Weeds crawl out to feed on rain’s deep melancholy little bare feet run Winter whispers death life withers away, bowed down the mole burrows deep Darlene August 15, 2022 Three Haikus: Warm air dissipates A cool evening arrives Dew rests on the grass Wind scatters the sand Sunlight beams of brilliance Protected by shades The plum tree’s leaves dance The same rhythm as her hair Partnered by the wind James A. Tweedie June 29, 2022 Long winter journey Cloaked in a blanket of snow Asleep by the fire Lawrence Fray June 30, 2022 Monsoon rain at last, Trees open their palms in thanks; Birds sing, frogs croak: joy! Yousuf bin Mohammad June 30, 2022 moisture in wind petrichor fills nostrils tsu -nami’s seismic splash ROYAL W RHODES June 30, 2022 a simple red thread maps labyrinths for footsteps like a minotaur answer the koan do dogs have buddha nature stray dog are howling a butterfly dreamt being a human just once but the wings were lost Darren Scott June 30, 2022 Spring rain is falling. The world begins to renew. All is clean, for now. The night becomes day. Summer sun burns the horizon. Awash with color. Sandip Saha July 1, 2022 Incessant rainfall Inundates village cottage Snake befriends human. Himalayan monk Meditates for lord Siva Snow submerges hut. corona virus kills millions in all lands like insects in fire. Adeola Ikuomola July 1, 2022 The red onion Is the opinion Of the red roses. James A. Tweedie July 1, 2022 Frost on my window The harvest moon is rising A golden leaf falls Spring at her easel Wielding a palette of green Paints leaves on the trees A poet July 27, 2022 James, I am wondering… Wouldn’t A golden leaf falls, The harvest moon is rising. Frost on my window. work better in terms of a stanza before the third line? Similarly Painting leaves on trees Wielding a palette of green — Spring at her easel. Hope you don’t mind. If I didn’t think you had it in you (unlike some other contributors here totally missing the spirit of haiku), I would not have written this comment. Galin Elias Franklin July 1, 2022 Need to clear my mind… A robin quivers and dips Into a puddle Swathe of goldenrod Swaying in the summer breeze… All that Debussy Drifting into shore The swan’s red intricacy… Just a withered leaf David Sloan July 1, 2022 A riot of red— maples’ farewell wave. We lose leaves, but we gain sky butterfly perches then flits away, pollen-gorged a rainbow with wings light snowfall at first soon buries the blue shovel that we left outside Tom Schmidt July 1, 2022 August occasion, bells toll for school to resume— my pupils contract. Mia P. Solomonides July 1, 2022 Delicate white wings dance over sun-kissed petals, tipsy with nectar Pretty patterns play sparkling on the window pane, crystal- cut rainbows Golden daffodils trumpeting the sun’s return, the earth’s ode to love James McLean July 1, 2022 A colleague paints these exquisite watercolors of fading tulips. Gold leaf on a half- heart stem comes down from heaven on a strand of silk. The snowflake falls like a man’s life toward the ground gentle and loving. D.E. HOLLANDsmith July 1, 2022 Sputtering wick’s flame Contributes fading solace Shivering; light strained. Alessio Zanelli July 1, 2022 footprints all around across the waste a pathway only for the blind to see the sunrise sometimes you’re obliged to go where nights are endless the road to nowhere teems with swarms of en route stops— each one’s a finish Ihar Kazak July 1, 2022 HAIKU ON TWEETING Birds’ reputation Shaken by digital tweets Indeed, some progress… Are all tweets alike? Digital rotten apple Bad name comes quickly. The real tweets from birds, How soothing and sweet they are! But digital tweets?! Emory D. Jones July 1, 2022 Here is one of my haiku. Squawks from up above Black birds against pale blue sky Crow calligraphy. Ken Allan Dronsfield July 1, 2022 Three of my haiku. petals of spun gold sunflower on summer days stoic in bright sun duck in the koi pond turtle watches from a log Spring bull frogs singing Twilight autumn woods colorful leaves fall like rain Owl stirs in an oak Emory Jones July 1, 2022 Yellow butterflies Flitting across green meadows Like dancing sunshine. Emory Jones July 1, 2022 Trees stretch twig fingers Tickling the fat undersides Of laughing clouds. Pedro Gaya July 1, 2022 Strike The lumberjack goes to strike down the damp, cold oak – the storm follows suit. Francesca Leader July 1, 2022 Today a kestrel paused in your garden to drink and you never knew Spencer Davimos July 1, 2022 The two fell in love The same way they fell out of it: Searching for purpose. Emory Jones July 1, 2022 The Warm Spring sunshine Awakens the infant seeds Sprouts climb out of bed. Tunde Osho July 14, 2022 And rain Between sun Temperate climate Cold sun Body afraid Of touching water Nightfall Grandma in two clothes August break Emory Jones July 1, 2022 On the pale blue sky Flocks of birds are writing poems That clouds will erase. Margaret Coats July 4, 2022 Emory, this is the seventh haiku you have entered, although the limit is three. For ANY of your poems to be considered, please choose the best three, and reply here which ones you want to appear in the competition. Thank you. Emory Jones July 5, 2022 On a pale blue sky Flocks of birds are writing poems That clouds will erase. Emory Jones July 5, 2022 I would like to keep the following: The warm spring sunshine Awakens the infant seeds Sprouts climb out of bed. On the pale blue sky Flocks of birds are writing poems That clouds will erase. Yellow butterflies Flitting across green meadows Like dancing sunshine. Emory Jones July 5, 2022 The warm spring sunshine Awakens the infant seeds Sprouts climb out of bed. On the pale blue sky Flocks of birds are writing poems That clouds will erase. Yellow butterflies Flitting across green meadows Like dancing sunshine. Margaret Coats July 6, 2022 Thanks very much! I’m considering the above three haiku as your competition entries. Jennifer J. Petrick August 15, 2022 Hana of June 2022 (vs November 1987) The road to Hana Scented fruit stands on the way What goes up comes down. James T. STruck July 1, 2022 All the Gods fell out of the sky Falling Into Earth Earth Disappeared without the Sky Gods James T. STruck July 1, 2022 Mississippi Into Amazon Amazon into Nile Nile into Danube One Earth now James T. STruck July 1, 2022 I was mother’s helper Now that She is Gone Universe could Turn Purple and Die James T. STruck July 1, 2022 God said to me “are you there?” It is ok to be a person and exist, talk, walk and speak” I asked God “are you sure?” James T. STruck July 1, 2022 Elvis, Did you really like us? Well that was what the movie said I learned a lot about you Thanks Margaret Coats July 4, 2022 James, you’ve entered four short poems, but the limit for the competition is three, and the entries need to be in traditional haiku form. Please reply here if you would like to withdraw any of your above entries, so that whatever haiku you might wish to enter can be considered for the competition. Thanks! Oluwasegun Oluseyi Adesina August 10, 2022 I think people submitting more than three haiku should be one of the disqualification test. There’s no need telling them to correct their inability to adhere to instruction. Margaret Coats August 10, 2022 You are quite right that there is no need for me to tell a person to follow the competition rules. But when I did this more than a month ago, I gave notice to everyone that I am taking these rules seriously. Since that time, several poets have corrected themselves–and we have fewer poets than last year who will be disqualified for submitting too many haiku. I try to provide a pleasant opportunity for us all, including those who didn’t understand some things at first. Thanks for your haiku and your contribution to the discussion! Oluwasegun Oluseyi Adesina August 11, 2022 Okay, ma. I can understand you quite well. It’s not easy judging these numerous haiku. Well done, ma. Pedro Gaya July 1, 2022 Sea of clouds, still goes, like the men walking, because life heats up the quiz. Pedro Gaya July 1, 2022 Ripe grapes they harvest, carving fates – the best taste. Wine dates, human jest. Jake Aller July 2, 2022 Korean summer Hot, sticky, humid, sauna Tropical evening My morning coffee Cup of heaven in my cup Black as hell itself My love came in a dream She must have been an angel Sent to save my life Luigi Pagano July 2, 2022 Perched on pergolas on which the pristine snow falls parakeets quiver The robin red-breast is the bird that announces Yuletide is coming Nothing better than a ‘doppio espresso’ on a winter morn Paul Freeman July 2, 2022 The Morning Star dims. Hail the rosy face of dawn. A mad hare capers. Paul Freeman July 2, 2022 Skyscrapers in bloom. Traffic connecting the dots. Rain clouds cleanse the air. Michael Miller July 2, 2022 the cold winter breeze recalls the sound of her voice her sad smile lingers recalling my past how cold cruel winter descends upon youthful joy my life travels time with the seasons passing by with no turning back Barbara Preston July 2, 2022 Hidden in a hole. Majestic tarantula, unfurls hairy limbs. Paul Freeman July 2, 2022 Grains of windblown sand marching in dune formations. Stars swarm the night sky. Trisha Barr July 3, 2022 Nature’s library – deep of night demands silence… a beetle goes crunch! Still, glassy water erases the horizon, blending sea and sky. Riding ceaseless waves like spinning wheels of potters, we’re ever-shifting. Jack Blocker July 3, 2022 Dotted eyelashes gaze towards tumbling snowflakes— Dandelions, blown. Patricia A. Marsh July 3, 2022 muggy summer night restless sleeper on the porch old guard dog’s deep sigh Amrita Valan July 3, 2022 Delicious smell permeates An expectant hush. Hard white hot sunlight Filters through amber curtains In beige gold dapples. Last crow of evening Swings on the telephone line Cawing’ at sunset. Brice Bellanger July 3, 2022 A faded red rose. A tear streams down my grieved face, It can’t revive her. A cold wintry night. Our lives is like this snowflake: A passing presence. Brice Bellanger July 4, 2022 I wanted to write this second comment in order to revise one of the haikus I submitted; in fact, I have just realised that I made a grammar mistake in the second haiku. Here is the correction of the second haiku: A cold wintry night. Our lives are like this snowflake: A passing presence. Thank you in advance for your understanding. Margaret Coats July 6, 2022 Thanks for your courteous correction! Emory Jones July 3, 2022 Crepe myrtle bursts forth– A riot of small flowers In pink explosion. Oluwasegun Oluseyi Adesina August 12, 2022 Good morning, ma. I forgot to tell you, I made a mistake in one of my submitted haiku which I have corrected. Just a word. I changed “children” to “students”. So, I had to submit the same three haiku again with only the one-word correction making the difference in the second one. Please, ma, disregard the first submission and regard the second one. Thank you. Margaret Coats August 13, 2022 I have noticed your revision, and the second version is counted as one of your three entries. Emory Jones July 3, 2022 Daffodils spout sun Into a smiling blue sky– Like waving sunshine. Martin Ijir July 4, 2022 as a leaf bud so is the joy of ending life in a summer peter venable July 4, 2022 Haiku You (or In Bad Taste) On the beach: rain drops splash my lips and stretched out tongue— Splat! A gull dropping. Marek Kozubek July 4, 2022 places of childhood – the scent of forget-me-nots stronger and stronger early morning fog – a path to somewhere filled with a rustle of leaves grandparents’ house loft – the silence of deep autumn in the spider webs Joshua C. Frank July 4, 2022 Star-filled, full-moon night Frogs and crickets make music For one little girl Snake slithers away Underneath the wooden fence At the edge of town Little river frog Hiding under the sidewalk When a dog goes by Jill Kirkland July 4, 2022 Clouds float gracefully Upon the whispering wind Always in motion The ocean’s waters Wrap me in a warm blanket Of cool, clear liquid Shining dewdrops slide To mark the coming of dawn… Where has the night gone? Hannah Lee July 4, 2022 The sky is paper— I am caught between it and the next page, white field New blooms on black trees veiled in quiet bone-white fog: spring’s dirge to winter The sky, placid lake: magnolia dips three pink toes in its waters John Kolyav July 5, 2022 Spring in blue lagoon Oyster in nacre wraps pain From pricking sand grain No blossoms on boughs Prophet’s feet on fallen leaves Fragrance of greatness Concentration camp From the bottom barbed wire hangs Skin scrape, frost-encased Dan Galbin July 5, 2022 around the wood stove – the grandmother moved into an endless story Raymond C Roy July 5, 2022 woodland waterfall a glistening tapestry shrouded in its mist the morning after two cardinals cavorting in a fallen tree mushroom multitudes popping up after the rain a refugee camp Joseph Buehler July 5, 2022 A blinding summer rain strikes our patio and stills all evening noise Spring’s bright pear trees bear no fruit, but delight us with pink or white blossoms Dark green tree top branches sway crazily from an abrupt afternoon summer breeze Joseph Buehler August 5, 2022 Thanks Margaret Coats for including me, Joseph Buehler Joseph Buehler August 6, 2022 Margaret, please consider the three poems I sent on July 5th. I realize now you only accept 3 poems. I sent 2 more today, so they don’t count. Joseph Buehler. Margaret Coats August 7, 2022 I am counting the above three posted July 5 as your entries. Thank you! Divya Venkat Sridhar July 5, 2022 yellow zucchinis sweat in sunlight’s gaze supple, beeswax skin sailboats hem the port icy breeze braids through the waves a glass tapestry blush daisy petals melt in thumbs and grass halos a fleeting love Morrison Handley-Schachler July 6, 2022 Fledglings in Springtime Know not even how to ask “Shall we see Autumn?” Morrison Handley-Schachler July 6, 2022 Night before evening Falls on stained-glass windowpanes. Beauty is darkened. Jason Mackey July 7, 2022 taking out the trash hungry for a fly the frog shoots his slimy tongue ripples in a pond underneath the crescent moon shines a million stars bones beneath the ground buried deep within a mound dying to be found Roy E. Peterson July 7, 2022 Cherry blossoms high Cherry picking time is nigh. Cheery, cherry pie. “Wind in the Willows.” Pooh’s head resting on pillows Honey? Two kilos. Wind blowing like that Upsets my calico cat By knocking him flat. Morrison Handley-Schachler July 7, 2022 The Sun is still there On Winter nights but it is Too dark to see it. D.E. HOLLANDsmith July 8, 2022 Templars’ hooves sling mud Onto blades’ flashing fury. Nostrils swell and snort. BDW July 9, 2022 Haiku “Clear Dew” Ibuse A turtle plods forth to a wide and sandy beach: the sound of water. B e D e W August 4, 2022 as per “Clear Dew” Ibuse: The phrase “the sound of water” in Japanese is “mizu no oto”—水の音. Margaret Coats August 5, 2022 Thanks for clearing the dew! You are welcome to submit your haiku in both English and Japanese if you like. Alexis M Liftee July 10, 2022 Dreary August night Full moon passing over ships Whistling winds at sea Brisk afternoon walk Sun peek-a-booing through trees Summer breeze cools me Spring time marathon Tunnel of sakura trees Pink petal runners Sim Mason July 11, 2022 puffer jackets at the beach, littered with sandmen, kangaroos sunbathe Sim Mason July 11, 2022 I had trouble coming up with Australian kigo, but the challenge was fun. David McMurray July 12, 2022 scarecrow points the way– to an unmanned rail station rural migration fallen soldiers in rippling fields of golden wheat– winds blow row on row tithes for the stone church… young boys who stole Christmas pines hand back scented coins Galin Elias Franklin July 12, 2022 Please note that this comment supersedes that of July 1st: Mountains near Madrid Still traced at the seams with snow… Almond trees in bloom Swathe of goldenrod Swaying, surging in the breeze… All that Debussy Drifting into shore The swan’s red intricacy… Just a withered leaf Mihael de la Montagnes July 13, 2022 Golden stamens waft Bumblebees fly love aloft Pistil packing child Tree figured by wind Stretching beyond endurance stately speaks of change Autumn spider spins Silk threads overwintering Her offspring within Quentin Brown July 14, 2022 Title: Broken Hearts and Rotting Peaches The worms are feasting On the old sweetness of us Like rotten peaches ———— Title: Playground Trees Old bark is stripped down By sticky, chubby fingers Leaving raw amber ———— Title: Autumn Leaves falling down to Cold barren ground, orange and Brown mix like fresh paint Niyi Gidado July 14, 2022 The bird flies when the tall tree falls right to another, imminent fall Dan Galbin July 14, 2022 abyssal spring blue – believing the sky closer with each ascended floor Shannon Lodoen July 14, 2022 along the sea cliffs the lifeblood of the planet beats against the rocks steam rising from pines heated by the morning sun— vap’rous ghosts set free bare branches reach out to the cold and distant sun; it goes on its way matt stanley July 14, 2022 springs sun shone as new whisper from a brilliant muse this is a haiku summer snow falling flake-white feathers, bloody quill red-tailed hawk flapping autumn starlight falling pale thin ghosts of fallen leaves on the falling leaves Kipkorir Amos July 14, 2022 Fallen leaves again; Trees are like feeling lonely — But birds, will be back. It is on the spring; Birds are building their houses— They will be chirping. It’s on the winter; Everything there, are in whites— It is so frigid. Annanya De July 15, 2022 Black clouds in the sky Rain drops falling one by one Puddles on the ground Eric O Owen July 20, 2022 Hello, Annanya De, If I may. Your reference to “black clouds” as a traditional haiku element is absolutely brilliant. I enjoyed reading your pieces. Thank you, E. Owen Douglas J. Lanzo July 14, 2022 the wail of a loon rising through the moonlit mist unrequited calls Yasuharu Nagura July 14, 2022 When the wind chime rang On the porch, he was hanging A new bamboo blind Reeds, thatch, and bulrush And rusty water fills them Certain places were bright In the paddy fields Weaving in and out between them The two of us walked Douglas J. Lanzo July 14, 2022 the silver lining found in ascending mayfly drawn to moonlit rays Douglas J. Lanzo July 14, 2022 tears of remembrance as “Taps” bugle gently plays somber autumn rain Annanya De July 15, 2022 Silently flowing Banks wrapped in green and blossom Sparkling stream in spring Annanya De July 15, 2022 Pretty pink flowers Covering the tree branches Spring’s cherry blossoms Asha Rose July 15, 2022 I’m not sure I could ever love somebody half as damaged as you bed hot twisted silk sweat heavy cold and callous his back turned to me whispers in my ear tugging so hard on my breasts he never calls again Dan McCrory July 15, 2022 WHY HAIKU? By Dan McCrory The wind called her name “Windy”: not unexpected. Bad jokes imminent! WHY NOT HAIKU? By Dan McCrory Sure, why not haiku? You can stick words together And they might make sense! NOT ANOTHER HAIKU! By Dan McCrory Not one more haiku! Stupid form of poetry Short and confusing. Ann Westgarth July 15, 2022 Golden gorse lined road March brings unexpected sun The future looks bright Veronica Jorge July 15, 2022 Three Haiku by Veronica Jorge 7/15/2022 the erhu’s two strings closely attached make music the sound of our love a coursing river stepping stones to walk across living words that guide branches upward rise touching sky, reaching heaven outstretched arms in prayer JBo July 15, 2022 Judging another Is like knowing which seeds, will bud and bloom first. Fred McIlmoyle July 15, 2022 SUMMER HAIKU Sunlit dreamy days Float through golden summer haze Into memory AUTUMN HAIKU Musky amber scents Swirl in sultry wistful air Infusing my mind WINTER HAIKU White virgin snowflakes Winter’s gems whisper to me Immortality David Wolf July 15, 2022 humid afternoon— lone monarch fluttering low in long pine-shadow rush hour traffic jam — drifting across my windshield: downtown thistledown light snow blowing through— a few flakes on my shoe, gone . . . your hurry, flurries? Nolo Segundo July 16, 2022 solitary bird why sing you only of spring outside my window? I stole a flower from nature’s bed, bottled it now it is dying the wildflowers of spring dance happy in the backyard till the mower comes Talbot Hook July 16, 2022 Fiddlehead croziers Break the thawing ground to raise Volute cathedrals. ________________________ Rainy tea harvest, Early mist on leaf and grave — Fragrant communion. ________________________ Hikers sit, sweating; Anvil clouds breach horizon — Earth drinks greedily. Dubin Galyean July 17, 2022 Death-defying walk Blossom-hued breathing Sickness delayed We’re getting ready Cleaning the kitchen is first Then my attitude Creation demands love Love demands creation Delicious tyranny E. Owen July 17, 2022 Moon-lit summer night golden pathway to the shore shimmers on the sea Thomas July 18, 2022 A Plant In a Pot Glorifies The Morning Light It Rest In The Night Thomas July 18, 2022 The Scent Of Sweet Pine Joy To My Nose Heart and Mind My House Cleaned With Pine Thomas July 18, 2022 Roots Turn and Do Loop Trees Plants Flowers In One Troop Drink Roots Morning’s Juice Cheryl Corey July 18, 2022 under heaven’s blue, picking berries, berries blue— bluer still, this heart a chevron of geese flies aloft while acorns drop— ending summer’s lease August, long in tooth, reveals canines through the haze— renders dog-eared days Thomas July 18, 2022 Dear Sister Corey, I’m Ever So thankful For Poetic Individuality. Each Phase or Statement We Make Is From Our Own Heart Reality. In Reading Your Work I See a Woman At Work, and Her Love In That Work. Mary F. Lee July 18, 2022 Beneath the slick bridge one dozen precocious koi om in unison Thomas July 18, 2022 Hi Dear Sister Lee, You Do Drop a Fine Line. Foolow Writer Mary Continue To Shine. Thomas July 18, 2022 Forgive Sister Lee For The Type O, I Meant Fellow Writer. kate Farrell July 18, 2022 Rain drops in puddle Circles forming, reforming Summer Alchemy. Thomas July 18, 2022 I Do Enjoy The Rain, and Your Writing Makes Me Look Forward To The Next Down Pour, Nice, I Mean Real Nice. Mary Ekpenyong July 18, 2022 Mary Ekpenyong July 18 Nectar to nectar The big butterfly flutters How sweet the freedom Mary Ekpenyong July 18 Yellow autumn leaves Trees’ naked beauty unveils Cold crown of winter Mary Ekpenyong July 18 The wet green grass swirls To a sunny whistling breeze Life after the storm Thomas July 18, 2022 Yes I Did Enjoy * You Drew a Picture In My Mind Of a Levier Kind. All the Best Dear Sister Ekpenyong. Nina S. July 18, 2022 Raindrops fall on tears, Dilute, like streams in the sea, Lost in pain too deep. Forget-me-not blue Springing from frostbitten earth Is summer’s bright cue Thomas July 18, 2022 Hi Nina S. * You Truly Hit a Lovely Mix Of Nature and Emotion, What a Lovely Combination. Nina S July 18, 2022 Raindrops mix in tears, Dilute, like streams in the sea Lost in pain too deep. Forget-me-not blue Springing from frostbitten earth Is Summer’s bright cue. Thomas July 18, 2022 She’s At It Again With Another Win, Write On My Friend. Louise Kim July 18, 2022 snow-capped mountainside winter’s glow surrounding us setting sun’s light, red ——————————————— the perfume of stars sweet as shards of nebulas; violent explosion ——————————————— young children playing outside, grassy lawn and breeze i wish i were one Thomas July 19, 2022 Hi Dear Sister Kim, You Certainly Went Off World and Around The World With This Fine Work, Nice! Ethan Leventhal July 19, 2022 When tumbling down Comes here all sorts from the town We can live for now Let sciences ring Truth and saving it shall bring But now nevermore Burning and prancing The world around is falling I am here dancing Thomas July 19, 2022 Ethan Showing Smooth Moves At The Word Dance, Nice! Darron Moore July 19, 2022 Captain at the helm sailing beyond space and time in my ship of books Brittle limbs prostrate, Beg mercy from cruel lord sun. Damp vengeance sleeps below Make again my love Imitate her very atoms Only an image Thomas July 19, 2022 A Mind Dancing Cruise, Brother Moore Has The Tools, Nice! Darron Moore July 20, 2022 Thanks Brer’ Thomas! Shauna Checkley July 19, 2022 Cat Grace from the heavens furry fine lines by God’s design purring so softly Thomas July 19, 2022 No Cat Nap Here, Just Sheer Purr-fection. Shauna Checkley July 19, 2022 snow sheen so very clean each flake never a mistake this unique shite streak Thomas July 19, 2022 What a Beautiful Snow Show Dear Sister Checkley, Your Words Flow Light as Snow. M. A. Dubbs July 19, 2022 Mourning dove crying to a soundless frozen lake- The long wait for spring Creek mud-bank with clams flecking Styrofoam pellets- Shucking man-made pearls Yellow daffodils poke through heavy snow blanket- A fool’s early spring Thomas July 19, 2022 What a Trip, Through The Frozen, Through The Snow To a Place Where Clams Grow, Nice! M. A. Dubbs August 14, 2022 Thank you Thomas! Heather July 19, 2022 The glimmering dew shivers gently on petals like feathered kisses The cold touch of snow Causes shivers upon skin In the lonely dark On the precipice Colored leaves dance in the wind The golden Fall comes Maura Harrison July 19, 2022 Inspiration Dog day drips, humid. Winter night sits and shivers. Life’s proper fever. His Soul His fingerprints mark the glass, oil from his stories shining in the light. Revelation I’m searching for shells At the turning of the tide, Ocean’s testament. Ryan Summers July 19, 2022 I can’t find my keys Oh well, guess I’ll walk to store Just kidding, found em Sydney Stellato July 19, 2022 Small black dog looks up – Full eyes glow and beg at me The door opens, synergy Sylvia Anne Telfer July 20, 2022 July. World ablaze. Once in Earth revere, coolness. Warring on ourselves. Abigael Leigh July 20, 2022 HAIKU AUSTIN you don’t live longer raised on the city concrete; it just seems that way. HAIKU MARFA no catchin’ up to yesterday; we burn daylight where buses don’t run. HAIKU SAN ANTONIO tamales stolen with a two-dollar pistol— only hell ma’ raised. Eric O Owen July 25, 2022 Hi, Abigael Leigh, “Haiku San Antonio” has a wonderful emotional humor with a pivot that speaks to the wittiness, unpredictability, and keen perception that sets American haiku apart from Japanese tradition in this form. I enjoyed it immensely and still chuckle whenever I think of it. Thanks for making my day. Dan Galbin July 20, 2022 leaves in the fall wind – when in place of the your arms you want to grow wings Darah Schillinger July 20, 2022 deforestation wait, pussy willow you would shave your soft catkins? surely not for him Darah Schillinger August 10, 2022 coming home to you is laying in a patch of sunlight that can’t fade Skylar Combs July 20, 2022 Little finch flitting Across the sun-dried meadow A golden angel Skylar Combs July 20, 2022 Willow branches sway Gently on a balmy breeze A small child’s wonder Skylar Combs July 20, 2022 Dreams of Grecian nights In summertime smell of fresh Rosemary and thyme Jim Burns July 21, 2022 Blackbirds in the snow ink for an unwritten song but soon they will fly Fireflies and snowflakes studies in fleeting beauty disappear when touched Like bright autumn leaves those we have loved fall away as winter calls them andrew shimield July 21, 2022 in an oak tree’s shade the quietness of cattle each twitching their tail Halloween party the devil’s fork in his hand bigger than he is on a chilly night a wind-blown can clattering down an empty street Darron Moore July 21, 2022 My apologies…my wife counted 6 syllables on my third…here is the rewrite: Brittle limbs prostrate, Beg mercy from cruel lord Sol. Damp plot sleeps below Thomas July 21, 2022 I Responded To This Haiku, I Didn’t Catch The Miscount, Your Wife Is Certainly On the Ball. Nice Rewrite. asad ahmad gazelle July 21, 2022 Haiku: Silents Wisdom speaks in briefs few words mind reflects deep silence also speaks Asaad Ahmad Gazelle July 21, 2022 walking goldmines friends the true friend is hard to find like digging goldmines Thomas July 21, 2022 Sounds Like You Struck Gold, Nice! Ahmad Gazelle July 21, 2022 Do you think so? Thank you Asaad Ahmad Gazelle July 21, 2022 rains green marsh meadow dance with me serenity mountain river rest Shade July 21, 2022 Body, heart, and mind Splintered shards too hard to find Leaving me behind Miranda McCoy July 22, 2022 Sloughed snakeskin drapes as we mourn the day’s end. Blanket, or veil, for red clay? Alexis Williams July 22, 2022 1. cool winds shake reeds loose darkness floods over still water a chorus of frogs 2. red-leafed mango trees new birthings swell pale yellow consummating love 3. calamansi fruit sun-yellowed and ripening closer than we were Keith Burkholder July 22, 2022 Science Fiction A form of genre, What do you like most in it? Keep an open mind. Knowledge Very powerful, One can read and learn a lot, Have an open mind Death A reality, It reaches us all, too, This is how it is. Thomas July 22, 2022 I Enjoyed Reading Your Haiku, I Thought “DEATH ” Fell Short. I Could Be Wrong, Take Care. Rose Jakubaszek July 22, 2022 Fall’s Fashion Show’s here! Toasted browns, yellows, and reds Brand new repeat looks. Let’s meet, you and I Under winter cherry trees Love won’t wait till spring. Linda Margaret Cheveau July 22, 2022 Waterfall rushing like pink gowns, twirling and swirling the cherry blossom dances. Bird who never flew flapped his wings, stayed on the ground hangs his head in shame. Clock ticks life away never, not going to die until the clock stops. P. Anthony Ramanauskas July 22, 2022 Hey there chickadee! How sweetly your song welcomes fair weather migrants Long after the sun has set behind the mountains its light yet lingers Vernal blood pulses the snowmelt from alpine heights My body, a river Don Reese July 22, 2022 Queen Anne’s lace is quick sudden crowd on our corner uninvited offspring bare feet picking through damp stones left at a low tide each reveal deep space dog’s paw in mid-air nose to a fresh sudden breeze– pet rabbit escaped Miranda McCoy July 22, 2022 Oaks self-amputate, drifting their sun-toned decay: alms for future sprouts. California fires feast, then scatter their takings. Stone-fruits thrive in ash. Nitu July 23, 2022 shaking her body a pencil rewinds stuck songs on old cassettes Nitu Yumnam July 23, 2022 full moon in the sky found on the bed of the sea mystical moonglade Nitu Yumnam July 23, 2022 scintillating stars… darkness doesn’t matter to them they well know their worth Gregory Lanzo July 23, 2022 wintry white petals drift into frozen sunset napping on lone bench Gregory Lanzo July 23, 2022 a fallen oak leaf floating down mountain river journey to the sea Margaret Coats July 23, 2022 Martin, “These buds opening” and “Curious concert” were submitted in the 2021 competition, and “Curious concert” earned a place among runners-up. It is so good I used it among examples for “What Makes A Good Haiku?” The 2022 competition asks for new haiku, written during the past year. And each competitor may submit only three entries. Please reply here to withdraw the older haiku which are not eligible. And if you wish, add another to the two eligible ones above. Martin Elster July 23, 2022 Dear Margaret, Thanks for letting me know. I didn’t realize that “Curious Concert” was among the runner-up in last year’s contest. (I’ll submit 2 new ones.) That’s great news. In fact, I’m going to read your article about “What Makes a Good Haiku.” I can’t wait to read it! I’ll try to delete those two haiku you mentioned. I’m not sure how to do it. But if you know how, please feel free to do so. All the best, Martin Julia LaFond July 23, 2022 Cicadas singing From the boughs of tall green pines – Sun casts long shadows Julia LaFond July 23, 2022 (entry #2) Heron stands, wings spread Waiting for fish to swim close. Turtles bask on log Julia LaFond July 23, 2022 (entry #3) Down from the gray sky Flutter flakes of fresh white snow. Air smells of woodsmoke Margaret Coats July 24, 2022 Of course! I will alert the moderator to delete your previous entries, and I look forward to the new ones. Kip Rosser July 24, 2022 Scouring summer woods for the chanterelle mushroom; a faun watches me. June wind breathes sea grass. June wind breathes the ocean waves. My kite inhales, soars. Our herb garden’s song: summertime thyme, mint, and basil in concert. Susan Finnis July 25, 2022 Embers damp with dew. Sun looms on the horizon; The last campfire, gone. Lorna Ye July 25, 2022 autumn breeze flipping through pages to the bookmark of dried rose petals Your last day of work The sky beaming baby blue Air tangy with earth Allegra Jostad Silberstein July 25, 2022 I watched a leaf fall to the ground without a sound . . . heard its silent song Tonight planet Mars is caught in the moon’s halo Red Warrior at peace In the deep of sky a great white cloud, a shadow My mother looks down Linda Marie Hilton July 25, 2022 suddenly sunshine maxes daylight hours coaxing our crops to ripen. Linda Marie Hilton July 25, 2022 sweet smell of grass: a field with horses galloping summer heat lingers. Linda Marie Hilton July 25, 2022 shiver crunching leaves walk briskly bundled up to Thanksgiving Dinner. Judith Owa July 26, 2022 Take a sip of tea Allow nature bless your tongue As you watch the rain Judith Owa July 26, 2022 Rich bloom of colours The earthy scent of wet soil –Remnants of the rain. Judith Owa July 26, 2022 Let the winds sit still And the clouds hold back their tears ‘Til my love comes home. Lynn Wright July 26, 2022 Storm-bruised summer sky black-winged, velvet butterfly time and rain pass by Martin Elster July 26, 2022 Singing mockingbird— this heatwave can’t compete with your sweet obsession. As a city screams its glare, above these barrens gleams the Milky Way. Spring’s tomfoolery can’t fool us; hocus-pocus and — look! — a crocus! Caleb Ogwuru July 26, 2022 Fire We watch stars find their feet from the Pyrenees peaks And still there is heat Flood Fighting monsoon tears Rivers run away from here Carrying feeling Time Hands without motion Locked within ocean frost lost Just for a moment Julie Stacey July 26, 2022 grey skies hold gull flights Haverigg birds sing for us our lives by the sea giggles on the breeze crashing ripples trickle home sandscape memories bright reflected sun hot feet hop as dry beaks drop whoosh! wings in flight Alex Lanzo July 26, 2022 seabed of seaweed begins to swim toward daybreak Cassiopeia Alex Lanzo July 26, 2022 a hull-bound oyster peeks at me with sea-flecked eyes joining my journey Maurizio Brancaleoni July 27, 2022 midsummer’s night trying not to tread on milky reflection night – I look out motionless in the moonlight a cat on the street ©Maurizio Brancaleoni Andrea Kreidler July 27, 2022 The street light strobes as if my lonely walk is a night at the disco All winter the buds prepare to briefly dazzle before decaying My worldview is an onrushing red waterfall when a rock strikes my head kate Farrell July 27, 2022 Moonlight is a balm. Aromas perfume the air. After harvesting. Judy Lynn Ichkhanian July 28, 2022 Unbent, I follow Fading foot-trace in water, Tears return me home. Snoring on pillows, Perfume of sugared wet dog, Brown eyes bring me home. A hundred years you Promised, a flight into stars, Now ash, all song, gone. DONALD PETER McCRORY July 28, 2022 Spring´s new lemon moon, curved slice of fruit, heaven-made: birth is bitter sweet. Scarecrows flank the fields, worms work the soil night and day: turkeys smell a rat. Monsoons flood the fields. moonlight breast-feeds the foot-hills: neap tides are turning DONALD PETER McCRORY July 28, 2022 Please change in haiku 2 ,line 1, fank to flank! Thank you! Sado Marinovic August 4, 2022 A Leaf strewn by the wind settles into place and is then tossed again Purbasha Roy July 28, 2022 My three haikus- Summer love story Grass and lady beetle Swing in the dawn wind I watch sunflower fields From the bus going to town The winking noon sun Tree shadows stretch far June dusk on the quiet dirt road Swans drift back to home Stephen Page July 28, 2022 cicadas silent– a red-spotted butterfly upon white lupin the path to the park lined invitingly with trees– dark clouds rolling in entering the park a few days after the storm– smell the drying leaves! Dallas Johnson July 28, 2022 Thunder beats the sky Rain steps across the surface . . . Hushed now the concert Michael David Eaton July 28, 2022 Forests burn at night Bright embers float heavenward Stars light up the sky Turtle, a green leaf, blown slowly over the ground by a lazy breeze The mockingbird sings Even more it loves to fight The crow flies away Brittani Samuel July 28, 2022 whisper “I love you” quiet so winter can’t hear or change your sweet mind John Sheills July 29, 2022 I’ve stumbled over your website in trawling the internet at my local library (I’m not on line at home). I’ve x3 haiku to present for inclusion in your Haiku competition which closes mid next month (August 2022). I trust I’m fllowing the proper entry protocols. The three pieces are as folows: Fall’s artillery Acorns spatter on my roof Rat! Tat! Winter comes Spent leaf lies dormant On the breast of another Winter pieta Breakdance bravado Side-walk Cafe Sparrows flit Trading manoeuvres Cheers John S. Margaret Coats July 29, 2022 Thanks for your contributions, John! Please check back after the contest closes, to see the announcement of the winner and runners-up. I don’t know the exact date, but after some days for judging, it will appear in the Society of Classical Poets POETRY column, under the same picture that announced the competition, of a Japanese man playing a flute. john Sheills July 31, 2022 Reply to Margaret Coates Reply: ‘Thanks for your helpful clarification Margaret. Reviewing my submissions I spotted that ‘typo’ in the middle line of my third haiku – the word ‘sparrows’ should of course not begin with that capitalized ‘S’ Thanks again, John S. Vasile Moldovan July 29, 2022 Hidden under the barn protected by the weather a nest of swallow I can barely see through the verry flowered skirt the flower of her body the first butterfly in the barely halfclosed flower- messenger of spring Ignacio July 29, 2022 The rabbit runs scared Hungry wolves snap at its feet The life of taxpayers I grab the old book Hints of must and vanilla A tear for Grandma Old hands guide the young Life and song cling to paper Memories are formed Abdul-basit Alaro July 29, 2022 A pair of green flames The flight of a sly black cat -basking in shadows. A young flower buds A white man sheaths his bald head- Beneath the sun’s smirk. Colt Henderson July 29, 2022 Love isolation? Staring into the abyss And finding freedom Brooke Kolcow July 29, 2022 sidewalk oozes heat green bushes moan locust songs I am oozing sweat with winter waning Canada geese honk-shoo-honk Mr. Crow cackles mustache is sweaty as the lake rumbles thunder sky downpours sweetly steve kieninger July 29, 2022 my reflection in the top of the toilet bowl refused the Autumn Night falls later now Summer on the horizon of my younger days Over June’s west wind, Autumns red sky approaches unbeknownst to me Gwendolyn Kudra Billings July 29, 2022 IN RETROSPECT of most importance only realized once lost! even dust settles Gwendolyn Kudra Billings July 29, 2022 FILMED BEFORE A LIVE STUDIO AUDIENCE claustrophobic gaze amplified when the curtain reveals my stage fright Gwendolyn Kudra Billings July 29, 2022 I’m sorry for this mistaken entry – Could this one please be deleted/disregarded, as I misunderstood the rules when posted and I realize it doesn’t fit? May I please have this one considered in its place? : BIRTH fresh february to be a bud newly bloomed! sweet tooth vanity Margaret Coats July 29, 2022 Thanks for your three entries and your note, Gwendolyn. “Filmed” will not be counted, but it will be left here. Deleting it might also delete “Birth” as part of the same comment thread. Gwendolyn Kudra Billings July 29, 2022 CAREGIVER how miraculous tiny skull fits in my palm… gulliver or god? Zack Mitchell July 29, 2022 Welcome Bell Remaining hopeful The old dusty welcome bell Waits prepared with cheer. Born Again Alone With the oak hollow A new womb, the fledgling owl Learns to hunt alone. Shudder! My new taste for prunes Stir memories of Poppa In Summer’s loincloths. Kevin Johnston July 29, 2022 Fair casing of frost Preserves stout boughs while indoors Flames consume their kin Legs taut, the lone ant Drags his load ‘neath blazing sky No one comes to help Some mourn the descent But wisdom sees leaves return To their place of birth kate Farrell July 29, 2022 Waves of twittering Ancient spells and rituals loud praises and adieus. Elizabeth Gauffreau July 29, 2022 a shift in the air scent of dying wildflowers August cruelest month new growth maples, pines farmer’s forgotten stone wall a forest reclaimed ombre sky, cool air twilight comes to the mountain lone hawk circles, keens Manon van Mil July 30, 2022 Birds on this branch, that branch, those connect. Sing loudly – not loud enough yet Sea-buckthorn berries Leaves falling, roots fixing sand How much can you hold? Millipedes, woodlice, a mycorrhizal network Light in a dark place Marie Ryall July 30, 2022 June trees full of life Cicada shells left behind Their songs haunt the night Daylight breaks the sky and reaches for my window with stories to tell Forest reflections hypnotize in waves below Beckoning me home Ngo Binh Anh Khoa July 30, 2022 1. a cicada’s husk grandfather in his best suit hands folded, eyes closed 2. mid-autumn river a lone boat ferrying the moonlight back to port 3. graduation day the twisting river reaches the vast open sea Darron Moore July 31, 2022 Beautiful. E. Owen July 31, 2022 Hi, Ngo, as you may already know, conceptualization is one of traditional Haiku’s most important components for delivering its meaning. Pieces 1 and 2 not only delivered on conceptual imagery but added the difficult contrast of stillness and anticipation of rebirth in poem 1 and conceptual motion which many find difficult to master in poem 2. You did both quite well. I was extremely impressed and enjoyed both pieces. Thank you. Mantz Yorke July 31, 2022 Cerulean sky above yellow sunflowers. The smell of burning. Darron Moore July 31, 2022 Poor Ukraine… Aoife Byrne July 31, 2022 Hedgerows pulse with life The worm’s wriggle is futile Young mouths open wide Snow-muted landscape Creatures slumber in silence Waiting for Spring’s call Bales festoon the fields The farmer labors and waits For the sun’s magic Milan Rajkumar July 31, 2022 local train station— quenching summer’s thirsty throats a sudden downpour a lump of cold clay … the shape of a calm Buddha in meditation cold sniper’s bullet … the thud in the chest pocket where her photo is Ellen E Whitehead July 31, 2022 In waning winter a dried thistle bloom appears on my snowy path Open your mouth wide red-winged blackbird and yodel Spring’s joyous return! Cascading down rocks a woodland stream finds its way giggling as it goes Susan Burneson July 31, 2022 Summer moon streams in Silver light across the bed There, the cat once lay In dark, cool water white swan glides, leaves in its wake summer moon fragments Poised swan, moving feet Poised summer moon, moving Earth Illusion and grace Brian Yapko July 31, 2022 The winter sun sets… Pure crystalline icicles prism twilight’s death Crimson maple leaves Floating in the temple pond Blush at cold, bare trees Bursts of spring lightning Illumine plum-tree spirits. Blossoms rend the wind Ma.Paz Diaz July 31, 2022 What is quietude? Do you will heart not to break ~ Squeeze tight and shatters? Ma.Paz Diaz July 31, 2022 Rocking chairs lull me ~ But I cry on them sometimes When the sun’s hues dull E.K. Starling July 31, 2022 In thick summer air Swarmed ravenous mosquitos Undeterred by rain Birds splash in the lake Catching fish that try to flee The snap of a beak Orange wings flutter Colors fleeting like a song Monarch butterfly Finn Mac Eoin August 1, 2022 Rosemary was a Sage-Femme, yet, when she had Thyme, used Dill though, s’Parsley ! Finn Mac Eoin August 1, 2022 Image result of black cat Hieroglyphic Haiku Four Paw Faux Pas (with translation) ∞ § ¶ • ªº –≠ ß ∂ ƒ˙ ∆˚¬ Ω √ ∫ ˜µ ≤≥ œ Lame cat walks across QWERTY keyboard creating Hieroglyphic Haik- Finn Mac Eoin August 1, 2022 ∞ § ¶ • ªº –≠ ß ∂ ƒ˙ ∆˚¬ Ω √ ∫ ˜µ ≤≥ œ Lame cat walks across QWERTY keyboard creating Hieroglyphic Haik- Gabriel Awuah Mainoo August 1, 2022 cyclone the wind carts the refugee boy’s teddy bear and back windy Sabbath… a praying mantis slips from the crucifix Mount Emei an orphan-bird navigates its fate in Buddha’s palm Gabriel Awuah Mainoo August 1, 2022 Dear admin, Kindly find my new submission orderly arranged. I noticed the first submission I mistakenly pressed the enter key which made “and back” come down eventually distorting the form. Thank you. 1. cyclone the wind carts the refugee boy’s teddy bear and back 2. windy Sabbath… a praying mantis slips from the crucifix 3. Mount Emei an orphan-bird navigates its fate in Buddha’s palm Margaret Coats August 1, 2022 Thank you, Gabriel, for making the correction and clearly displaying your poems. Lucia Haase August 1, 2022 children play hopscotch amidst a bright horizon a stone’s throw away on this Autumn eve geese fly into the sunset and there is order Jyi Jyo August 1, 2022 Wet cement sky leaks the hills melt into red sludge banana plants mould Savanna noon sun licks the grasslands beige with thirst lone elephant migrates The charcoal milk goat purple mouthed lies on a mat of African pears Sumit August 1, 2022 1. A gush of chill wind Golden hour with no gold light Plain greyness in sight 2. The absence of sun Evening adds pinch blue to greys Cooling down stillness 3. Greens turn to light brown, Light rolls down the floor tiles, The smell of winter. Madeline Weyand August 1, 2022 Lips turn deep blue hue Gentle white snow, flakes fall Cold wind ousts bird calls brown rug, crunching steps winding roots, they dare to trip back down, it’s green up Soft, pink, delicate moisture leaves flower, finds tongue savoring each drip Phoebe Rhinehart August 1, 2022 Interrupt the form: What stars? What rain? What meadow? Describe the abyss Darron Moore August 1, 2022 Oak looms under sun Over grove of flowers Dapple gilds lily Margaret Coats August 1, 2022 Darron, this poem doesn’t seem to describe the abyss, as Phoebe asked. But if this is a reply to her, please confirm that it’s not a further contest entry. I find your three entries above at July 19, with a correction on July 21. Thanks. Darron Moore August 1, 2022 Margaret, yes this was a reply. While not a direct answer, the intention was to show the emptiness of a dark gesture on the openly enlightened, so illustrating a vast void. Ed Ahern August 1, 2022 Submitted for the haiku contest. fly velocity is two wing beats faster than my swinging swatter leaves droop and curl fainting breezes swirl hot air shaded breaths shallow little river low soundlessly meandering living tucked away 282 Buena Vista Rd. Fairfield, CT 06825 [email protected] Ed Ahern resumed writing after forty odd years in foreign intelligence and international sales. He’s had four hundred stories and poems published so far, and six books. Ed works the other side of writing at Bewildering Stories, where he sits on the review board and manages a posse of nine review editors. He’s also lead editor at The Scribes Micro Fiction magazine. https://www.twitter.com/bottomstripper https://www.facebook.com/EdAhern73/?ref=bookmarks https://www.instagram.com/edwardahern1860/ Sharmon Gazaway August 1, 2022 fan of eyes shivers hypnotic blue suitor struts dull peahen’s bored gaze Jordan B August 1, 2022 Warm honey once more nurturing light feeds the skin yet the sun must set – Fruitful and fertile bloom fights the icy ennui promising new birth – The sun bids farewell bloodcurdling cicada croon singing summers end Ed Meek August 1, 2022 Butterfly Each spring when time wings silently by, my butterfly, will you cocoon me? Ice The molecules of water join hands each winter–so cold… they can’t even move. In August Like a rock holds the heat of the sun through the night I hold your memory Rebekah Nigro August 1, 2022 #1 Spring- I place bets in rain Only watching the windows For raindrop races #2 Summer- You always yell “cows” Sleeping spots on the green field Our road trip comfort. #3 Fall- I pity the snow That never lands in Autumn Nor sees the leaves change. Arlene Downing-Yaconelli August 1, 2022 sultry summer hum white hives buzz in the orchard winter’s honeyed toast Sharmon Gazaway August 1, 2022 the ghost crab scuttle dance of dark on warm wet sand reel with tide and foam Brianna C August 2, 2022 Winter grips us still Icicle soul siesta Drip me back to life Alice O’Brien August 2, 2022 how full is the moon on this blissful August night shining down on me now here comes the sun welcoming in the daylight bringing me to life the wind in my hair as I dance with the flowers in the lush meadow Jan Rowell E. Favor August 2, 2022 the sunless heavens mourn like hopscotch players that cry rain on summer’s end E. Owen August 4, 2022 Hi, Jan, If I may, I liked this poem and use of simile, but if it’s okay, you would nail this haiku form if you drop the article (the) in the first line, and perhaps add balance to the simile by choosing a two-syllable word that speaks to your intent in place of “that.” For example, try ‘lament’ and replace “rain on summer’s end” with “rain at summer’s end.” Hope to see more from you. Jan Rowell E. Favor August 2, 2022 walking with a crutch my urban foot feels the sand of this quiet beach Ariana Barreto August 2, 2022 Title: Mr.Softee Watch the sprinkles dance Twirl around the ice cream swirl My block was chosen Title: NYC Summer Walk outside, all eyes Sun-kissed thighs under blue skies Door knockers glisten Title: Bodega Blues Where there are corners Bodegas are always found Only when you “Yerrr” Peter Venable August 2, 2022 Triplets Over grassy dunes Sea Oats lash at sun-burned legs Sand spurs prick my heel Surfers slice through waves Pelicans swerve through troughs A gull steals my chips A speck of ship bobs On sea and sky horizon I am a sand grain Margaret Coats August 3, 2022 Peter, someone who appears to be your lower-case avatar posted a beach haiku on July 4. Only three contest entries per poet are allowed. Please let me know which three you prefer, or disclaim identity with peter venable. Thanks! Bob McGinness August 2, 2022 Plodding uncut lawn. Where to, so purposefully, I ask? Turtle knows! Wistful Goldenrod, trembles in the dusting snow. Calling back summer. Decomposing leaves rest on symbiotic soil Survive forever! Sharmon Gazaway August 2, 2022 blue bowl sky scrubbed clean clouds wrung out and pinned to air all hung out to dry Fartfist August 2, 2022 *These are taken from Fartfist’s fourth volume of literary works “Seventeen Haiku For Humanity”* (Which were written in 2021) — Ignorance is one The bowl, before the water How much can it hold ~ eight Opportunity This is two, like sun and moon It is there always ~ nine Willingness to act Is three; like the spring flower Interested in living ~ ten Chris ~cliff~ Reichard August 2, 2022 Entry #1 Devil’s Breath Blist’ry wind’s revenge, ashen snow falls heaviest in nuclear winter. Entry #2 Famine to Feast Hot rain pours over tainted fields long abandoned. Resurrections spark. Entry #3 Blood Orchid One crimson drop spilt feeding the seed sown below. From death, petals bloom. Linda Bell August 2, 2022 Linda Bell entry Flute longs for its branch Violin longs for its tree Soul sings to the sea Ben Labelle August 2, 2022 Rain on glass tapping Pooling, catching green or red Is now wiped away Bald squirrel prostrates And gnaws a ripe potato Must be a chipmonk Leaves powdered with frost Icing for caterpillars Glint in autumn dusk Edward Gutt August 2, 2022 Squirrels A lone squirrel works. Two or three chase each other, Playing around trees. Nature Reveres Itself Winds blow and trees bow – Thanking clouds for bringing rain That nourish sacred trees. natalie tokita August 2, 2022 wistful white blossoms, how gold you look in the sun! night falls with you here. daisies strung in chains, tangled in the robin’s crest. singing, winging, gone. the last fallen rose wilts sweetly, lightly, slowly, blushing so faintly. Nille Akor August 3, 2022 To join nature, this noon. To be a bird on Spring’s tree, Singing songs, flying free. Away. To the colourful tweeting birds_ I woke, from my fairytale dream, beholding, A sunny sky, summer’s day. Dancing fish, out of water. Wriggling and twisting, left and right. Yearning. Splash! It feels water again. Ling Chuxi August 12, 2022 Thank you for telling me about this contest . You go girl! Akari Ikeda August 3, 2022 Water beads trickle down my neck and down my glass of lemonade and jazz レモン果汁 首とグラスに 垂れてゆく Blanketing asphalt Frozen layers of snow, slush, salt アスファルト 凍てつく層の 雪と塩 Petals kiss my nose Mountains wear pink blush and smile Blossom rise and fall 花にキス 山も笑顔に ピンクのチーク Ling Chuxi August 3, 2022 Camels are the desert’s glory. The oasis lacks by the sand dunes. What bird dare to fly? A rock beyond the river, Living centuries, with air of grand stillness. What would be it’s company? Deary winds and empty trees, Greet my waking, along dewy colourful leaves,- Fallen leaves and dry grass. M'nile Francis August 3, 2022 Wait for the last leaf And sun, to drop, shine. In harmony- Under trees. Paint this autumn. Night and rain, one and Whispering, “let us share the open secret. Roar what the heart says”. Yesterday, the pea was seed. Today, it is out, dancing to winds. Come Morn, it will dew. Allen Hagemaster August 3, 2022 Lady fall pursues Family views the river Exhales on my skin Long warm fulfilling Change of seasons conflict rift Damaged what if’s black Srini August 3, 2022 so far yet so near winter stars soon become friends to those who have none suburban midnight whirring air-conditioners keep the crickets up high-rise balcony the perfect panorama of summertime smog Amanda Nicholson August 3, 2022 Wanting to go on Nature’s last summer day, yet Nature calls, head home Staring at the sun Setting over the forest Goodbye to summer Leaves throw themselves down Now that summer is over Fearing what comes next Ernesto P. Santiago August 3, 2022 the time of writing so helpful to the author a garnish of sage Donna Lynne Griggs August 3, 2022 Sense-soaked to the bone On rich banana plant leaves Worms cryˎ journey on Sun on fingertips Beams of life run through our grasp No one owns the light Teased by winter’s breath Sakuras bat their lashes And wind-flowers fall Maria August 4, 2022 Hi Donna Lynne Griggs, my name is Maria, Mary is also nice. Despite being beautiful, your poem bears a strong resemblance to one composed by another exceptionally talented and eloquent young poet named Jijo who has also composed a haiku for this contest. The verbiage she uses is extremely unique and specific to her, so seeing you post something similar is extremely suspicious. Look her up and see if there are any similarities and act accordingly. My best wishes to you. Margaret Coats August 4, 2022 Maria, one haiku submitted by Jyi Jyo on August 1 speaks of banana plants, but otherwise I see no similarity between her poems and those of Donna Lynne Griggs. The Griggs haiku mentioning banana plant leaves uses an ancient Japanese poetic convention in speaking of the worms’ cry, which cannot possibly be unique to any modern poet. Danica Peterson August 3, 2022 Running out of thyme It is mint to be divine A dill-icious dish Sweet fruits of season Summer better than others Berry good to me Wave to the beaches Suns and daughters together Special sand to hold Robert Dickerson August 3, 2022 If to die’s to tire of your blue, dewy lupine I am immortal. Over the pavement dragging itself through aether singing butterfly. High up in the sky O buzzard, your shadow falls on some patch of earth. Dibyasree Nandy August 4, 2022 Emerald fronds sway; dewdrop, teary, wrenched away from lover of jade. The young bud blushes as summer cicadas trill. Red sprouts, kiss of bill. Crystal flakes, silver; Hobnailed foot-marks deep in pairs; Chiming church carols. Christopher Heath August 4, 2022 dandelion pox garlic plugs the oral route unpronounceable sun-locked and tinctured April like a dumb disease sneezes between dates footsteps populate multiplying involvement there and there and there Ronald S. Cena August 4, 2022 Light clears the path, then. Now, beauty is clearly seen. Eternity reigns. When one sows, one reaps Receiving consequences Actions produce fruits With toil comes sweet gain Feet and hands labor to earn Glad hearts follow suit Elton Hudgins August 4, 2022 High in the Sky Monarch Butter flys galore Only a few flutter by Mary Virginia Vietor August 4, 2022 wet dog strains to chase pigeons from puddles, who rise like the scent of rain The streetlight blinks off. Dawn pearls the sky discreetly Erases the stars wendy lee klenetsky August 4, 2022 “YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT!” that’s what all people say Then I guess I’m “NUTS!” wendy lee klenetsky August 4, 2022 “YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT!” that’s what all the people say Then I guess I’m “NUTS!” RPAD August 4, 2022 Still, hot countryside; restless insects buzzing, cut by a lone cyclist. Longing for winter, lasting strife draining the land, until a storm breaks. A secret growing, a promise all summer long. And then, you are born. David Williamson August 5, 2022 a church bell pealing potatoes for midday lunch sunday roast today Mark Beck August 5, 2022 Bruised, swollen, cut The sting of eating crisps More Bonjela please Mary-Ini Okaka August 5, 2022 1 Dead leaves fall and dance… A little bit of cold rain, a desperate wish. 2 Young nuns pray sadly, The wisteria weeps gold… Tears, pain and cold. 3 A bonfire crackles, little faces smile and glow… A picture of warmth. Fallency August 5, 2022 From the tree of life Howling winds screaming covid tore another leaf Torrential rain seen: weeping clouds are mourning death amid pandemic Juliet Wilson August 5, 2022 winter cemetery – the last moments of a mouse are etched in the snow harvest moon rises through the tree’s tangled branches – a tawny owl calls the old enemies shake hands for the cameras – cherry blossom blooms X. Beattie August 5, 2022 Plastic Haiku On the beach, plastic catches the light, looking like ocean left behind. Dottie Joslyn August 5, 2022 I sit in the tree gold leaves falling around me wealth abounds for me autumn glows within sunlight through the deep shadows a sprinkle of gold sun setting early gold sinking into the dark stark limbs against sky Ella Mask August 5, 2022 Trees blow their pollen Like clumps of cotton drifting Snow in hot July A desert monsoon Rain lashes across the sky And floods the parched ground The lawnmower growls Destroying animal homes The snail speeds away Marlin Mattson August 5, 2022 Saturday night I washing everything in sight retire lonely. Waiting to dilate in the eye-doctor’s office Argus to Oedipus Feasted it withers fasted it fattens: for love forfeit is surfeit James Presley August 5, 2022 disdaining either fight or flight, finch sits a fist on the barbed wire fence autumn leaves shimmer– the world is awash in a concerto of colors bright headlights blink by– fireflies soon swallowed up by omnivorous night Kate Yang August 5, 2022 A cerulean sky Pricked by a gold flecked forest Where the sun hides lies Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan August 5, 2022 Covid Crises We demand answers! Oxygen concentrators Still stuck with Customs. Planes land with supplies. Despite the scramble, no one Gets aid they must have. Pain, tears and anger, Loss that belongs to us all. How much can be borne? Alex Price August 5, 2022 The butterflies dance Amongst the purple flowers Bees sing them a song The heart’s jar, empty Experience fills it up To the brim and more The morning dew drop Nature’s magnifying glass Wonders to behold Adele Evershed August 5, 2022 first sign of winter a sudden sprinkle of snow settles in her hair a ghost moth cocoon filled with the scent of jasmine and all our sorrows solo sentinel the blue heron reflecting at the water’s edge Pat Murphy McClelland August 5, 2022 fog wisps wreathe dawn’s peaks indolent sun sleeps past noon Pasadena spring *** iris on the brink of bloom sometimes hesitates spring is full of caprice Samuel Ojile August 5, 2022 this winter solstice — the only embers we see on night’s cigarette crickets retiring— her call for help too becomes dead silence suitcase of summer; a letter to solitude in the blooming trees. Julia Putzke August 6, 2022 a key phrase, thank you a heart lifted from the break sudden turnaround Daniela Misso August 6, 2022 packing box, moving … the chirp of a lone cricket on my window sill ~ the fading fragrance of freshly laundered curtains heaviness of heat ~ an old memory yellow leaves falling slowly upon the river Zachary Herman August 6, 2022 Beckon for the ink Fools dance under the dead stars The sun is raptured Parade birds drift south Meaningless meaningless time Awake me in spring Falter to the soil The trees could die in great flame Yet lives beneath nail Christie August 6, 2022 A girl of seasons Watch her burn and bloom and freeze Slowly melt away Susan Andrelchik August 6, 2022 First breeze of autumn, welcomed by parched plants and land. Refreshing their hope. See the glaciers shrink? Alarming in time-lapse films! Wading through puddles. Ceaseless rolls of waves Gull squawks heard above the crash Menacing and free Sarah Acton August 6, 2022 With spring, death comes too. Visiting next door, and then, I judge the silence. How dare the mums to Bloom when all else dies in fall? The audacity. Lonely house, silent Except for soft cat feet and Vibrating crickets. Cydni Turner August 6, 2022 nearing summer’s end the earth marches on, wrapped in winter’s cold embrace pressing thoughts clamor, the roar of the waterfall drowns all worries a choir of crickets sings, performing for the night the same lilting tune Joseph Buehler August 6, 2022 A dark-eyed brown hued rabbit sits calmly in our back yard, eating grass A doe emerges from the tree line; we watch her from a silent window Pamela Oliveira August 6, 2022 See-through dress of gauze Pond water teases my toes Foreplay of moonlight. _____________________________________ Turn your eyes to me I too am lonely, you see on the old park bench Sheila DeBonis August 6, 2022 Parched dirt slurps soundly, Supple plants bend in the breeze. Uproar; cry of relief. Loungers rush inside. Sulfuric scent, stellar cracks. Grey beads, branches bouncing. Big, bawling heavens, Trembling figures…in…out… It’s the farmer’s joy. Barbara L Silberg August 6, 2022 Raindrops fall with the mathematical precision of abacus beads. I am a geisha: you, my lover, gone to war. Crimson blossoms fall. A peony floats upon the still, blue water. Or is it the moon? Cella Josephine August 6, 2022 The winds are blowing, A lot more than they used to. I used to have you. Perfect, graceful, smooth Dance is everything you aren’t. But it’s all you have. Greg love August 6, 2022 As a raindrop falls, A thirsty plant awaits it, Raindrops are not fools, An owl hoots at night, Not in anger but laughter, Night time is a hoot, Wisps of smoke at dawn, First morning light reignites, The fire burns again, Amanda Leigh Gagnon August 6, 2022 City heat mirage Cooper’s hawk reflects in pane Distorted nature Monsoon Earth is chopped Partially lit by the sun Half under shade clouds Spring embellishments Wild eggs decorate cup nests Flowers adorn fields Deborah Beauchamp August 6, 2022 Autumn falling down, trees crying leaves of orange, darkness kills the sun. Deborah Beauchamp August 6, 2022 The biting cold slap stings from your winter demise. Alone with the ice. Lori Luhrman August 6, 2022 cedars stand and smile, welcome the autumn winds while green fields bid farewell. evening burns slowly air thick, sticky with remnants of summer’s caress. Samuel Ojile August 6, 2022 this winter solstice — the birthing of fierce embers on night’s cigarette crickets retiring— the silence of dawn lingers her call for help too summer holiday; in the blooming flowers first signs of beauty. Please this is an edited version of my previous submission. Do disregard the previous comment and consider this. Thanks. Samuel Ojile August 6, 2022 this winter solstice — the birthing of fierce embers on night’s cigarette crickets retiring— the silence of dawn lingers her call for help too summer holiday; in the blooming of flowers first signs of beauty. Margaret Coats August 6, 2022 Samuel, I take this last set of three haiku as your entries. Thank you. Dave Spinelli August 7, 2022 Hummingbird feeder Patiently waiting a guest Despite all the ants A deer crossed the road Antlers covered in velvet Wiffle ball delayed Among the boulders Hide n’ go seek in the woods Everybody peeks Stefanie Bucifal August 7, 2022 snowy village path the smell of anko leads me to a stranger’s door Stefanie Bucifal August 7, 2022 blue morning-glories mirroring a cloudless sky blue morning-glories Richard Oberrieder August 7, 2022 Gold coin in the sky throwing into the fountain summer’s sparkling lights A laughing child runs under the jet watering a little rainbow Richard Oberrieder August 7, 2022 The frog comes out the bat returns to cave spring’s rain sings a song Richard Oberrieder August 10, 2022 Dear Margaret Coats, can you take this last set of three haiku as my entries ? Thank you. Gold coin in the sky throwing into the fountain summer’s sparkling wish A laughing child runs under the jet watering a little rainbow The frog comes out the bat returns to cave spring’s rain sings a song Margaret Coatds August 13, 2022 The last three are counted as your entries. Thanks for participating in the competition. James August 7, 2022 A fresh sprout grows as Mourners lay flowers on graves Tears will water both Brittany August 7, 2022 The city was less dewy in the mornings now robins search for worms Kiary August 7, 2022 a broken kingdom a task is left from our king for the Hawaiians Grace August 7, 2022 hard to hold your hand – does the vulture kiss the dove? the sun sets on us. Ellen Baker August 7, 2022 My Haiku for contest due by Aug. 15, 2022 Spring Fukushima Shake Rattle and Roll KABOOM Fall Fukushima Larry Bole August 7, 2022 a shift in the wind~ suddenly I’m surrounded by unseen roses another autumn: I feel old enough to sink into my shadow a lovely shower of leaves . . . as if a woman had let down her hair. . . Angel L Villanueva August 7, 2022 a flying lapis mellifluous scenery blue jay on a branch ocean waves on rocks thunderous cacophony no one listening autumn hues on trees rainbow colors on their boughs dead in winter gust Toshiji Kawagoe August 7, 2022 The first bonito of the season hits fresh high The return of spring Toshiji Kawagoe August 7, 2022 “The first bonito of the season” is a seasonal reference in spring. The Japanese believes that eating the first bonito is a secret to a good health and long life since Edo era. The high price in the auction of the first bonito is always a newsworthy event in spring in Japan. Japanese version: 初競りの声高らかに初鰹 Toshiji Kawagoe August 7, 2022 An antiwar song gradually dies away on the Bastille day Toshiji Kawagoe August 7, 2022 “the Bastille day” (巴里祭) is a seasonal reference in summer. For the people suppressed by the war and tyranny. Japanese version: 巴里祭の喧噪に消ゆる反戦歌 Ravi Kiran August 8, 2022 Here are my three haiku submissions finding its way out of the slum’s narrow bylanes song of a migrant still a nobody a lump of clay starts to spin on the potter’s wheel double amputee the red origami crane crafted by her hands In origami the color Red symbolises, passion and good furtune Kala Ramesh August 8, 2022 My three haiku. the chariot wheel in touching the earth moves on … my breath in the now galloping autumn I’m alive for a period of one breath alone parijat blossom father gathers them each day to offer his God Mallika Chari August 8, 2022 friends meet one after another we stretch our legs night sky I open the window to see the known silence old rock the fine lines on her abdomen Mallika Chari August 8, 2022 I withdraw all the above three haiku. As i realized it is a 575 contest. I am submitting my Three 575 haiku me sitting alone…. with the ruffling wind enters a rustle of dry leaves all branches chopped down now heard from a long distance the cuckoos sweet songs a quiet evening restlessly moving around the crow on tree top Margaret Coats August 8, 2022 Thank you! These will be considered instead of the shorter ones. Bintou Kaba August 8, 2022 My three Haikus: Once I saw you I smiled With pure happiness Gold rays from the sun Run to the pool every day Barbeque with friends Cool wind through the trees Falling red, orange, and yellow Fall: favorite season Daipayan Nair August 8, 2022 My three haiku: grandpa’s wall picture … the marigold my grandma struggles hard to pick a big loudspeaker in every street and house lane … peace mantra of Om planning dad’s birthday … I collect the smashed pieces of my piggy bank Ramesh Anand August 8, 2022 Once in a blue moon Another February goes Without my birthday December rainstorm The prayer of muezzin Piercing through darkness An icy stillness The stories we would afraid To hear in darkness Tracy Davidson August 8, 2022 sakura petals poking through war-torn rubble life still finds a way when Mother Nature paints with filigrees of frost windscreens become art my son stops crying… the winter rainbow, a bridge, for his friend to cross Barrie Levine August 8, 2022 on grandmother’s knee listening to old stories . . . reblooming roses Paul Buchheit August 8, 2022 The blue-eyed doll lies sweet and still in lacy pink, beside the skid marks. The old woman turns, as she’s done for many years, but sees no one there. Inside the steel pot left here many months before I find tiny bones. Mona Bedi August 8, 2022 morning stillness just the trembling of leaves outside my window precambrian rocks i talk to my son about the Big Bang warm summer evening— sound of children playing in the ghetto lanes Mona Bedi August 9, 2022 Please disregard the above . Here is my final submission: morning solitude the trembling of aspen leaves outside my window precambrian mountain i talk to my son about the great explosion hot summer evening the sound of children playing in ghetto lanes Margaret Coats August 9, 2022 Thanks, Mona. Your revision has been noticed. Susan Malter August 8, 2022 Friends matching mountains Your stocking feet in puddles A stone in my shoe Creaks from floor above Footsteps. Drawers shut. You call. Let’s stay here awhile. Blue birds blue flowers On blue branches in blue grass Soothing bedroom toile Gayle Rose August 8, 2022 winter’s crescent moon surrounded by brilliant stars north wind spins the earth shincha slowly steeps gathered beyond the yak fields dewdrops sparkling withered tea flowers beneath showering starlight cast shadows on stones Noga Shemer August 8, 2022 spider web garlands adorn the first passerby on this wooded trail dragonfly islands his small kneecaps bob above the cool rippling stream invisible loon gliding on a midnight lake bright stars on its back Abigail Kangas August 8, 2022 Thorns, like those of life Though they prick, they’re protection Overcome your thorns Robert Bugie August 8, 2022 1. Spring Rose in Winter Your reign untimely ending Fight on my Monarch! 2. Scholar of Autumn The Archive is in full bloom Harvest the knowledge 3. Birdie of the West Angelic voice of the sky Your Legend in Sand Tomy G August 8, 2022 the strong summer wind the two-tired bicycle– the sound of laughter Subir Ningthouja August 9, 2022 the blue moon rises amidst the rustling bamboos …. i lean on a void ———- a murmuration— starlings form dance patterns to internal rhythms ———- breezy hydrangeas … patches of the pale blue sky sway by a hill path ———- K M H Shahriar August 9, 2022 Moon in the sky, bright. Lovely nature, touching heart, Clouds, blocking sight. K M H Shahriar August 9, 2022 Moon in the sky, bright, Lovely nature, touching heart. Clouds, blocking sight. Andy N August 9, 2022 Walk across the woods the path is covered in cracks. Downpour from last night * Beautiful sunset on a warm summer evening. Hope it gets cooler. Suzanne Tyrpak August 9, 2022 determined jasmine sweetly creeping up fences while destroying them showing her colors, bold without apology, autumn maple tree on a rainy day mushrooms peek from underground raising umbrellas Rupa Anand August 9, 2022 1. early autumn mist— a snail’s silver trail glimmers on wet dewed green grass 2. the koel’s summer song seeps through each of my senses —neither of us is sunniest day today— the lady bird looks upward pleading for passage Evie Lucas August 9, 2022 Knots tie across days Like old ghosts remembering Myself, refracted. Allison August 9, 2022 Roadrunner scratches the sun-bleached sand, crisscrossing deep coyote tracks Plastic pink pony sits in summer sand, swathed in hissing diamonds Monsoon swells heavy deep clouds full and ready, us mortals stuck below Fiona M August 9, 2022 Slurping ripe mangoes This is the gold of summer Sweet as fledgling years. Rain pours like silence Footprints gone in the torrent The earth is rinsed clean. A meteor falls The night sheds luminous tears And we wonder why. Susanna C August 9, 2022 White sails reflect clouds To dance the sea in slivers Above the whale’s eye Dancing in warm rain Tropical heat loosens limbs A crocodile smiles The song of the bees Sipping nectar in the heat Birds wait for the seeds Colin Merrill August 9, 2022 Soil, water, and air elements still cold, waiting to become new souls A rumble rises spring mountains shed white blankets and powder settles Twittering echoes and enters the mouth of a cave sleeping bear awakens Susmita Ramani August 9, 2022 Cup the small spider Rehome her in flower bed while cats look askance On our womens’ hike we linger at each flower seeing there ourselves Suffuse coral light spreads to kiss horizon line Waves eat fireball Teri Jo Rask August 9, 2022 Red no longer flows, Goodbye is sometimes easy. A breath in, then out. Wild exquisite night! A blanket sky shimmering Joy envelops me Despite my efforts Omicron got me real bad Wear a mask, be cool. Moved by moderator from ‘What makes a good Haiku’ Teri Jo Rask August 9, 2022 Wild exquisite night A blanket sky shimmering Peace envelops me Red no longer flows, Goodbye is sometimes easy. A Breath in, then out. Despite my efforts, Omicron got me real bad Wear a mask, be cool. Bud Sturguess August 9, 2022 Stale hell on my breath I said don’t bother dreaming – In dust, I repent. Barrie Levine August 9, 2022 at the roadside stand I fill my bag with three pears and the harvest moon Ren Koppel Torres August 10, 2022 It’s still pozole rojo but You better bypass that tocino, ‘cause it’s our receta Kosher. Ren Koppel Torres August 10, 2022 Note: “It’s still pozole rojo but” is the title of the haiku. Pozole rojo is a Mexican stew typically made with pork. In Spanish, “tocino” means bacon, and “receta” means recipe. For context, I’m a Mexican Jew. Thank you! K.F. August 10, 2022 Honey. Sugar. Lips. The Sweetest taste. Touch. Feeling. Flowing in your mouth. Nine..Five..I love you. Nine..Seven..And Loving you Today, its still you. Symrin Kaur August 10, 2022 The moon cries to me, Someday I will forgive you, The sun screams louder. Neena Singh August 10, 2022 Here are my haiku submissions: serrated pink conch… the rising waves of the sea resound in my ear * midsummer shower spills in the temple courtyard plumeria scent * sun-soaked paddy field the old farmer shades his eyes with a calloused hand Sheila Barksdale August 10, 2022 teeter-totter joy two winter scarves are trailing, tracing rainbow’s arc barefoot on the lawn avoiding the snag and squelch of fallen medlars dusty bare pasture an old racehorse lifts his head: the white waterfall Laura Waldorff August 10, 2022 Here are my haiku submissions: Woven bracelet, words Of old becoming, new birth Yes, I am undone Twins’ twinned eyes, laughter Here the call of summer bird Freckles and honey My mother and tea Bright mint leaves on hot water I drink my childhood Thank you for your consideration. Anna Eskenazi Bush August 10, 2022 Pretzel Haiku I caught a pretzel With my clean, bare feet today Shall I eat it now? Bedtime Laundered crisp bed sheets Dirty unwashed unsocked feet Soil a good night Or for those who pronounce soil with one syllable: Soil a good night’s sleep Anna E Bush August 10, 2022 The Creek the creek water does not question – it just flows, goes it knows all is well Oluwasegun Oluseyi Adesina August 10, 2022 sudden August rain . . . a boy hastens his footsteps towards the puppy rumbling and thunder — the sound of church bell after the covid lockdown blossoms of the spring . . . two high school children fighting for the window seat Oluwasegun Oluseyi Adesina August 10, 2022 sudden August rain . . . a boy hastens his footsteps towards the puppy rumbling and thunder — the sound of church bell after the covid lockdown blossoms of the spring . . . two high school students fighting for the window seat Janis B August 10, 2022 A pike catching fish Aiming to have a great meal To be caught by me A bird lands beside I feel it has to like me But seeds are nicer I leave jars in woods Walk further away proudly Trip over bottles Coleen Kenny August 10, 2022 Jellyfish Moon–clouds trail like tentacles trapping stars for her supper Full moon spies between my blinds. A voyeur deprived of earthly delights Examining trees– gnarled branches hold stories like my weathered heart Suzanne S. Austin-Hill August 10, 2022 1. (Ekphrastic) Haiku FUJIWARA no Yasumasa Playing the Flute by Moonlight Yoshitoshi (1839-1892) amidst the tall grass notes take flight to hunter’s moon beguile the wicked 2. single barren branch against winter frozen tears burns cardinal’s heat 3. decades of advice incomprehensible spring now echo their worth Suzanne S. Austin-Hill norma laughter August 10, 2022 Freeing a caged bird the rescuer gains merit Destroy the cages! While grain may sustain it’s the chaff that seals your fate Winnow carefully! Ginger Garrett August 10, 2022 steam rises off heads chill morning meditation monkeys in hot springs daughter wife mother a life of hibernation from being herself willow tree branches husband’s hands around my hips swaying with the breeze Darah Schillinger August 10, 2022 coming home to you is laying in a patch of sunlight that can’t fade Darah Schillinger August 10, 2022 geese are overhead angry, cacophony honks mad the sun still shines Jennifer Elise Wang August 11, 2022 Climbing the cliff’s edge, I pause to look at the stars, Unafraid to fall. Girl walking at night, You ask if she’s alright— Fox eyes, blood-stained grin. Dark descends sooner, Bringing a chill with the wind— Pumpkin spice returns. E. Owen August 12, 2022 Hi, Jennifer Elise Wang, I read your third haiku several times, until the lines conceptualized, and I could imagine shorter days in proper season and almost smell the nutmeg and ginger in the air. Wonderful traditional haiku with proper theme and structure consistent with the brief. Thank you. Christopher Calvin August 11, 2022 the milky way course endless stars drift in and out the impermanence breeze through window wind chime twinkle fills the air dream of (b)right summer flutter…kite flutters little kids freely follow where butterfly flits A.J. Anwar August 11, 2022 (1) midsummer morning– visiting sparrows play hops on my porch tiles (2) new life past the drought withered tree among the greens declines second chance (3) after the rainstorm the rapid rushes downstream to gather itself A.J. Anwar August 11, 2022 Kindly consider the revised versions below as my entry poems: (1) midsummer morning– visiting sparrows play hops on my checkered porch (2) new life past the drought withered tree among the greens declines second chance (3) after the rainstorm the river rushes downstream to cleanse herself off Thank you. Margaret Coats August 13, 2022 Thanks very much for your entries. Alan Millichip August 11, 2022 Brought down by the wind Destroying the raven’s nest Shelter for the mouse Cooling the turbine A backward flowing river Energy wasted The barriers failed A full moon and a spring tide The flood plain reformed Murad Ibrahimov August 11, 2022 Cracking of a stick; One by one, worried heads turn — A mass exodus. Drowsily awake, wiped the foggy window, and from end to end — white. A strong gush of blood; People come together with a strong gush of joy. Cheryl Licata August 11, 2022 Cheryl Licata August 11, 2022 seeds sprout grow droop fall decayed orphans not chosen bees sip apple juice marshmallow fluff clouds icy blue popsicle sky wings lick confection rapacious seagull soaring scavenger seeks crumbs spies youngster’s sandwich Suzanne S. Austin-Hill August 11, 2022 Way to go, Cheryl! Cheryl Licata August 11, 2022 You are too much, Suzanne!!! You know, I love all your poems… Suzanne Austin-Hill August 11, 2022 Yes, I can be a bit much. But, thanks for hangin’ out with me all these years! C.M. Crockford August 11, 2022 hard not to notice how the sun feels stronger with each looming year Seth Koppel August 11, 2022 Strolled through Central Park, Stepped on pigeon eyeball—yikes— Now haunted by grapes. RJ Murray August 11, 2022 Gentle water flows Sunlight illuminating Rocks rounded by time Sunlight elucidates Casting light upon new life An explosion of colours Light across the sky The weight of thunderous air A storm approaches Kelly Shaw August 11, 2022 reflecting two worlds before the wind and after dandelion seeds the goldfish glowing in a bowl that quietly annihilates it looking at the moon not sure where to put my hands so they just dangle Benjamin Bläsi August 11, 2022 one hundred starlings silhouette the falling night: last songs of summer lost in perfumed air: a small skipper is crossing the wildflower sea leaden calls of gulls drifting through the morning port the shimmer of snow Linda L Maxwell August 11, 2022 ENTRY 1: SPRING AGAIN Lipstick red Poppies Flirt with bachelor’s Buttons Weary of creepers. ENTRY 2: WATER AEROBICS Young swimmers witness Gray heads bobbing to oldies– And stay in their lane. ENTRY 3: THE LAST RECONCILIATION I nod and agree When he says he’s through with me Let it be. I’m free! Carrie R. Hinton August 11, 2022 Winter #1 Amber light dances Leaving shadows in its wake White ash falls like snow Winter #2 Branches reach to blue Bare skin trembles from the cold You pull me closer Winter # 3 Coffee in my cup My sundried lips part for it Sugar bites my teeth Orlando Walker August 11, 2022 A poem so short One of the finest it is Yet it qualifies Simplified writing Of three lines a poem told Five, seven, five pattern Have a guess my friend What could it be: Sonnet, Ode? ‘Haiku?’ Right answer Brandon Jowell August 11, 2022 Her hand reaches me And mine swallows the fire Drunk in my embrace. Cathy Bryant August 12, 2022 Falling Autumn tears – painting in a dark colour exquisite sorrow Cathy Bryant August 12, 2022 A summer desert – my feet make waves in the dunes – an ocean of sand. Julianus Julius August 12, 2022 Frothing and frothing Would have stopped it if could— I cry, she froths the more. Night cold’s hell for her; Winter nights all the more hell: She sneezes to tears. Stuti August 12, 2022 A tribute to my favourite season – #1 Vibrant brolly tops paint the bazaar’s bustling streets veiled by charcoal skies #2 Little paper boats drift in water logged bylanes; Chai and charcha thrive #3 A congregation Of lusty frogs is singing; Raucous monsoon choir Coleen P Kenny August 12, 2022 love the third one! Stuti August 12, 2022 Thank you so much 🙂 I appreciate you 🙂 Suzanne S. Austin-Hill August 12, 2022 #3 – third line has six syllables Margaret Coats August 12, 2022 I and many others pronounce long /i/ words such as “choir” and “fire” as one syllable. Thus the syllable count in “raucous monsoon choir” is five. But I am aware that others pronounce these words with two syllables. In this contest, where we have variants of English from all over the world, I do my best to accept regional pronounciations, even if they are not my own. Thanks for letting me make my policy known! Suzanne S. Austin-Hill August 12, 2022 You’re welcome. My pleasure. Stuti August 12, 2022 Thank you for sharing your feedback Suzanne. I myself tend to break it into 2 syllables, but from reading a lot here, I’ve come to understand that more people read it as a single syllable than as 2. Margaret has answered it wonderfully 🙂 Suzanne S. Austin-Hill August 12, 2022 Takes all kinds (and pronunciations) to make the world go ‘round. Stuti August 12, 2022 Thank you so much for clarifying Margaret – both the syllable count and the policy. That is really kind of you 🙂 Andawn F August 12, 2022 Who can sew and darn or better yet, embroider, in this dystopia? Suzanne S. Austin-Hill August 12, 2022 Third line has six syllables jeer August 12, 2022 lost innocence intimacy violated a life destroyed heart on fire love flows elusivily fingers that caress perfume in the park the scent of limeblossoms i get lost in you jeer Netherlands Patricia Furstenberg August 12, 2022 russet leaves alight- pennies rustle in delight Autumn’s butterscotch barbed balls drop, roll, peep chestnuts, autumn’s chocolates nutty, it struck me golden philamot calloused leafs a bass choir grey nightingale t(h)rills Suzanne S. Austin-Hill August 12, 2022 Second Haiku – second line has 6 syllables. We don’t typically say choc-o-lates. Patricia Furstenberg August 12, 2022 Thank you, Suzanne. I hear it now 🙂 Thus, my second haiku is: barbed balls drop, roll, peep chestnuts, autumn’s chocolate bites nutty, it struck me. Suzanne S. Austin-Hill August 12, 2022 Wonderful (and tasty)! Marcia Burton August 12, 2022 sparrow in her palm the impossible angle of its perfect head a misty hillside tea leaves ready for picking the scent of bright green a little tug boat emerging from the grey mist tows spring behind it Barrie Levine August 12, 2022 combing her mom’s hair . . . in the distance, waterfalls ripple with silver Amy Losak August 12, 2022 bleak suburban street even the skinny sparrow searches for a friend Amy Losak August 12, 2022 small yellow flowers bees, brown moths and butterflies giddy from their feast Amy Losak August 12, 2022 alone with my pod in the kitchen, shelling peas — Covid holidays michael lowenberg August 12, 2022 Yes, there is a dove sitting in a tall oak tree. I hear a high coo. You ask, “Who would name a groundhog Woodchuck Norris? Well, would Chuck Norris?” Diddly, zilch, nada, naught, nil, goose egg, zip, nix, aught… Nothing comes to mind. Barbara L Silberg August 12, 2022 Technically, these are senryu. Good senryu, but not classical haiku Margaret Coats August 14, 2022 Thanks for your comment, Eric. It will help me explain what I accept as haiku a little further. Let me assure everyone reading this that I appreciate your contributions to the study and writing of haiku. I may contradict some of your expressions, but that does not diminish my regard. I responded to Barbara L Silberg, because she told Michael Lowenberg that his entries in this haiku contest were good senryu rather than classical haiku. This made it necessary for me to say more precisely what I accept as haiku in this contest, lest Michael or anyone else presume by my silence that entries like Michael’s do not meet the requirements. Notice that I am NOT judging Michael’s poems by what I say here! I do not judge entries while the contest is going on. Rather, I clarify my idea of what a haiku is. Beyond the 5-7-5 form, haiku must have a seasonal reference (kigo) and allude to nature. Haiku can use language artistry of any kind that fits the form, so as to achieve its special effect. My view comes from reading thousands of haiku. I will once again state that there is no sharp distinction between haiku and senryu. Eric, you say that the distinction is thematic, but I say no themes are off limits to haiku. It is not the topic or the mode of discourse that makes a senryu. It is the lack of kigo and nature. There are plenty of witty, satirical, and storytelling haiku. Do you know the one about the icicle hanging from Buddha’s nose? Excellent haiku with a sardonic tone critics would like to reserve for senryu! But it meets every requirement for haiku, and shows how much freedom of expression haiku have. Never think the requirements of poetic form diminish freedom of speech! I’ll give another splendid haiku to demonstrate. This was written by 18th century Buddhist nun Chiyo-ni, and translated by me. Look at clear water. Considering front and back, it has neither one. “Clear water” is a summer kigo, and water itself is an element of nature. But this isn’t a description of nature, it’s a philosophical poem about non-duality–or as one interpreter says, “the coemergence of all phenomena as one.” There’s no landscape and no time of day. For readers who must have a nature sketch as haiku, or witty cynicism about human frailty as senryu, it is neither one. Non-duality, as the poet said. We have many haiku in varied styles in this contest, and I’m glad you’ve enjoyed them, Eric, so much as to make comments on several. That’s something I as contest judge cannot do, and I’m sure the poets appreciate your attention. Margaret Coats August 12, 2022 Thanks, Barbara, for bringing up the distinction. There is, however, no sharp dividing line between haiku and senryu, even among the works of the Japanese masters. For this contest, I accept as haiku any poem in haiku form with reference to a season and alluding to nature in some way. Seasonal reference is often achieved by simply naming an animal or plant associated with a season. Language artistry such as Michael Lowenberg’s puns can contribute to many different kinds of poetry, including both haiku and senryu. E. Owen August 13, 2022 Hi, Margaret; it’s Eric. I enjoyed your response to Barbara concerning “Lowenberg’s puns;” however, if I may, I find that while Lowenberg’s puns fit easily into either form category (haiku or senryu), Lowenberg blurs the “dividing line” with thematic hybrids, touching on nature and cynicism in the senryu form, where reference to a season is not required. The dividing line even among Japanese Masters, has always been thematic rules requiring season and time of day for haiku, whereas senryu was allowed more freedom of expression in a witty, tavern, storytelling sort of way to poke fun at human frailty. I agree, however, both forms are haiku structurally and syllabically, and both are otherwise distinct by restrictions required in haiku versus their absence in senryu. I applaud your work and caring critique and will continue reading the talented contributions to the competition. I hope this helps. Sincerely, E. Owen Margaret Coats August 14, 2022 Eric, my reply to you somehow went higher up in this thread than I expected. Please take a look immediately below Barbara Silberg’s comment. Adekeye Oluwasegun Lukman August 14, 2022 Please i need help, i can’t find the comment section. Here is my poem, and hope it’s considered Chilling with the cold Unquestionable downpour Beating… blabbing rain. A duel with my chi… Parading the market square It’s masquerade festival. The eagle’ talon Piecing on the Y image Giant of Africa. Margaret Coats August 14, 2022 Yes, Adekeye Oluwasegun Lukman, it is difficult even for me sometimes to navigate this large number of poems. I am very glad to see your haiku, and they are officially entered. Thank you! Donald Joseph Lee August 12, 2022 Entry 1 – Snow blankets the day Creatures seek comfort and warmth Waiting for the sun Entry 2 – Thunder beats the sky Lightning strikes the ground, tremble We all run away Entry 3 – Floods break through the land Offering devastation Everything is wet Esther Paddon August 12, 2022 Covid’s come to stay Man, unable to curb its power Crazy, odd cosmos. Time alters everything Slow-moving, rippling water Transcends humanity. Age is but a stage Performance glistens briefly Leaving empty void. Esther Paddon August 12, 2022 Time alters everything Slow-moving, rippling water Transcends humanity. Age is but a stage Performance glistens briefly Leaving empty void. Maria Cezza August 12, 2022 an old abandoned chapel ‒ an hot offering of light lies among the ruins Maria Cezza August 12, 2022 wedding ceremony the snow that assimilates the meadow and the path Maria Cezza August 12, 2022 it is so strictly short the life of the butterfly ‒ intensity of a farewell Adekeye Oluwasegun Lukman August 14, 2022 Please i need help, i can’t find the comment section. Here is my poem, and hope it’s considered Chilling with the cold Unquestionable downpour Beating… blabbing rain. A duel with my chi… Parading the market square It’s masquerade festival. The eagle’ talon Piecing on the Y image Giant of Africa. Maria Cezza August 12, 2022 Excuse me: it is so strictly short the life of the butterfly ‒ intensity of farewell Maria Cezza August 14, 2022 Please consider this as the third haiku. Apologies, thank you very much Maria Cezza August 14, 2022 it is so strictly short the life of the butterfly ‒ intensity of farewell Stefanie Bucifal August 13, 2022 never before and never again – this moment is a solitaire Roberto August 13, 2022 Gold cloud which is now seen there above the green. Anthony Watts August 13, 2022 Inextricable A wild rose, a hawthorn tree Like Rodin’s lovers Ice covers the pond I stamp a hole with my heel Now the birds can drink A majestic wind Sweeps down the wide avenue The trees bow and scrape James Sale August 15, 2022 Good to see you on the SCP pages Tony! Well done. Sue McMahon August 13, 2022 Indigo eyes still Open in the deep valley Waiting for true love dark sunrises start the day off cold and dreary sunsets come too soon Winds rip the gray clouds Blowing mist collides with rocks Freedom overcomes Gugulami Kandawasvika August 13, 2022 Sodden rolling clouds give birth to silvery veins lightning strikes again Miniscule shelled troops ingested by the ocean- Genesis of life Blistering syrup oozes from the Earth’s belly, what an eruption! Sara Kate August 13, 2022 Renew Sharp spearmint sprouts up Crisp as cooling, early rains Smiling senses shine Revive Luscious lemon balm Sends sweet scent, refreshing splash Summer’s citrus kiss Restore Roasted rosemary November campfire embers Earthy warmth within Stephanie Schrecengost August 13, 2022 Books recall the way Of trees—they sigh and whisper Of skeleton leaves Books speak. Pages shift And sigh, like skeleton leaves Recalling wind’s kiss. Shelved books feel echoes Of rain, of wind, of sun. They Dream in emerald. I often wish that Midnight’s sand could sweep away Echoes of your kiss Stephanie Schrecengost August 13, 2022 *Hi, I forgot that this was only supposed to be 3 entries. Apologies! Please disregard the last haiku I submitted. Thank you. Margaret Coats August 13, 2022 Thanks, Stephanie. I took note! Adekeye Oluwasegun Lukman August 14, 2022 Chilling with the cold Unquestionable downpour Beating… blabbing rain. A duel with my chi… Parading the market square It’s masquerade festival. The eagle’ talon Piecing on the Y image Giant of Africa. Toshiji Kawagoe August 13, 2022 The fish in the pond breaks the ice at Zuikoji whale songs in the breeze Toshiji Kawagoe August 13, 2022 “The fish in the pond breaks the ice” （魚氷に上る）is a seasonal word in spring. A bridge at Zuikoji temple (雪鯨橋) in Osaka, which is made of whale bones, was constructed in the 18th century for praying for a good catch and as a memorial service for the sacrificed whales. (Please note that whale fishing was one of major sources of livelihood at the poor fishing village at that time.) Japanese version: 氷に上る魚の音を聞く雪鯨橋 Adela Sanchez August 13, 2022 That’s life don’t complain On those pants a little stain Because they were free. Water is for life If only I will drink it Then I might survive. Waiting for you here While you decide to answer And you never come. Adela Sanchez August 14, 2022 I’m new to this and my first try to haiku poems. I didn’t know they had to do with nature. Can I try again and send 3 more and disregard the originals? Margaret Coats August 14, 2022 Yes, you may certainly do that. For help on the requirements, there are several places to click in the contest announcement above, especially the WHAT section. I believe the contest closes tomorrow night at midnight New York time. This area for posting poems will not work after that! Also notice that the results of the contest will appear on August 30. Good luck! Adela August 14, 2022 Thank you Margaret for your help! Valerie Rosenfeld August 13, 2022 with nowhere to be the butterfly stops to sip sunshine from the trees I bring my chatter to the crickets in the night and become quiet lake holds the shadow sky holds the echo—the loon is already gone Sebastian Chrobak August 14, 2022 piano concert hope hidden in every vibe of the spider’s web a violent wind petals of cherry blossoms among the ashes Keith A. Simmonds August 14, 2022 Symphony of light throbbing on a waterfall… aroma of dawn A caterpillar hanging from a broken twig… soon the miracle Starry-eyed lovers kissing under the full moon: scent of cherry blooms Rajandeep Garg August 14, 2022 deep in the summer two butterflies sharing a small piece of shadow the yesterday’s rain held still in the palms of leaves my tears left uncried burning laces of the sun blazed clouds, engulf me a blood laden shroud Marina Shemesh August 14, 2022 hiking in august in Israel warm air and thorn paths struggling and scared of snakes, and sweat and dust and joy Annette August 14, 2022 all birds migrated he remains empty handed his fingers frozen ∞ midsummer party air full of lavender scent and sweating dancers ∞ such a sunny day there’s not a cloud on the sky – droughts everywhere LAKSHMI IYER August 14, 2022 My offerings: . now i understand what she meant by the blue moon … neelakurunji . autumn swings in me still can’t find the reason why i cry in silence . first colouring book … the sun rises with four thousand sunflowers . alks August 14, 2022 a cup has a crack abrading lips, and nectar underneath its thorn As the mist rumbles A fallen snake sheds lightning Clearing turbulence Lustrum-long winters Of my inner hemispheres Await midnight suns jd August 14, 2022 Brown stain on green grass explodes to burst of sparrows feathers in my chest. Verdant leaves above a torrent of squawks and sweeps the cat walks quietly Unbroken blue sky breeze-brushed sun over all God alone in charge Chen-ou Liu August 14, 2022 first homecoming trip the headlights break the darkness not tangled feelings an unmoored sailboat one-step-forwards, two-steps-back of our love affair Chen-ou Liu August 14, 2022 Revision: first homecoming trip my headlights break the darkness not tangled feelings Beatrice August 14, 2022 Cold evening, A donkey bray’s, While taking shelter with men. A blazening fire, A cat meows; In the freezing of the night. A weathered soul, Treading a desolate moor; Smell of Death! Ezeifedi chibueze August 14, 2022 Rains rinse off the night from skies blurred into secrets that still smell of time The bird sits on songs now woven from the dark light of rumbling thunder. The night condenses Into black brown coffee drops. They stain the morning. Ezeifedi chibueze August 14, 2022 Rain rinses the night off skies blurred into secrets that still smell of time The birds sit on songs now woven from the dark light of rumbling thunder The night condenses into black brown coffee drops. They stain the morning Jeffrey Ferrara August 14, 2022 unseen for ages hunger stones reappearing on the waterway glory in the fall a sagging barn in Vermont draped in fresh colors Diane Jackman August 14, 2022 drought summer leaves droop thirsting for absent rainfall autumn comes early pheasant taps on glass dish of water placed outside message understood Elizabeth O'Connor August 14, 2022 The maternal wind that carries the sweet scents of pollen and petals In the bitter air, Snowflakes dance delicately and land perfectly Golden leaves fall down into a great pile, ready for children to jump Shelli Jankowski-Smith August 14, 2022 this long July day lingering over my wine in backloaded light a sudden rainfall by open cottage windows towels tossed on the floors Mom’s dying garden the sharp fingers of thistles take it all at last Patricia Ann Bowen August 14, 2022 Great horned owl and I Share the hours before morning, Hunters joined in awe. My child grasps a bud, Full and fragile as her own Youthful scent and hue. The cat is outside, Howling for some love and fun. Take her. She’s ready. Ash Evan Lippert August 14, 2022 to my cousins’ house past wilting geraniums the slap of sandals 5 PM nightfall my wool hat dripping snowmelt into red curry held by its ribbons — breezing past plum blossoms with my box of eclairs Lorraine A Padden August 14, 2022 the rippling cursive notating a bluer sky in migrating geese anniversary- a single blossom floating in my jasmine tea slipping through the mist a droplet from her paddle the canoe at dawn Phoebe B August 14, 2022 Blankets of moss draped lavish furnishings help to welcome insects home The tide tells the moon the dreamcatcher in the sky to bring on the dawn Fragments of pale light cherryblossoms giggle and blush dancing from the trees Adela August 14, 2022 Hi praying mantis So pretty and green you are Soon you will turn brown . Cloudy days and nights How long til you give us rain? We need it right now. Shades of blue and white The sky is turning dark now Thank you for the rain. Sarah G August 14, 2022 Moonless winter night Telescope set up just right Behold: ancient light! Shadows growing tall Grass grows slowly, if at all Welcome back, dear Fall. A warming planet A couple falling in love Let’s enjoy the end. E. Owen August 14, 2022 Hi, Sarah. It’s Eric. Not sure if you were submitting to brief that accepts traditional haiku in senryu form. But, If I may indulge you for a moment, while the first two pieces are enjoyable to read, they are considered haiku-syllabic tercet, and in that description if a brief calls for it, a form of American haiku with the focal elements on syllable and line structure. Traditional haiku, however, does not allow for rhyme. I hope this feedback will help. I look forward to reading more from you. Keep writing, and good luck. Sincerely, E. Owen Margaret Coats August 14, 2022 Sarah may have read my essay “What Makes A Good Haiku?” In it I offer several examples of good English-language haiku that use rhyme, meter, and alliteration. A poet may use these and other literary devices in haiku of traditional form (3 lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables, including reference to a season of nature). Rhyme is NOT forbidden, and does occasionally occur in Japanese haiku. But this competition asks for traditional-form haiku in English, and therefore the artistic potential of the English language and English poetic traditions such as rhyme are most welcome, though not required. Maria Cezza August 14, 2022 I apologize if I re-enter my three haiku, but I was afraid I was not clear, and I had not received a confirmation response. Thank you very much, and good luck an old abandoned chapel ‒ an hot offering of light lies among the ruins wedding ceremony the snow that assimilates the meadow and the path it is so strictly short the life of the butterfly ‒ intensity of farewell Margaret Coats August 14, 2022 Thank you, Maria. This is your confirmation that the above three are your entries. Maria Cezza August 14, 2022 Thank you, Margaret. Aoish August 14, 2022 Holy night telling small lie to my kids Long long ago Grandma read the book that I read Ammusement park Daddy keeps balloons in the way madeleine kavanagh August 14, 2022 Trees sway in warm breeze Soft chirrups burst through sunbeams Blue birds on a branch Jasmine morning scents A Cloud of dragonflies float Dog days of August Mist wraps her winter around velvet hills. Cows low by evergreen trees Jerome Berglund August 14, 2022 1 crops at death’s doorstep when the sheets of grain rain come — giving rescue breaths 2 creaky oak blocks clouds… presenting a new target for the magpies 3 some if these hostas will flower grandly you know… or do you not know? Leah Fischer August 14, 2022 1. Rust Rust spots dust the leaves So green they seemed, now dying Fuzzy seeds fly. Why. 2. Splash! Bare feet pound lush grass While hairy green mosaics top a still lake ’til… Don Baird August 15, 2022 meandering moon . . . please tell how you met the star in a rolling wave beyond the red swing — an old weeping maple tree darkens the shadows fading mountain goat . . . why does the rolling fog bank cover your footprints? Animesh Satapathy August 15, 2022 Tear drops down to earth Middle of night, in forest Sees the moon through trees Ranges of Mountains Colour fades, green to white Hits the horizon Hears soothing flute tune In the midnight dark forest Rushes to find none Adekeye Oluwasegun Lukman August 15, 2022 Chilling with the cold Unquestionable downpour Beating… blabbing rain. A duel with my chi… Parading the market square It’s masquerade festival. The eagle’ talon Piecing on the Y image Giant of Africa. Tunisia Nelson August 15, 2022 The listless dancer Pirouettes to the tombstone For a final rest Surrounded but alone There is never a good time For the sun to set Five hallelujahs Th repentance I needed For my future sins Jack Wood August 15, 2022 Heron’s ice thin step Oil slick reflection ripples Sodden feathers sink Jay Castello August 15, 2022 sickle moon growing over rows of summer wheat soon for the harvest fresh spring flowers left at ancient raised stone circle old celebration jim Berlino August 15, 2022 Sturgeon moon hangs low Fossil fish are not splashing A silent red glow Lynda Zwinger August 15, 2022 full moon hangs around for morning coffee—fading out as I fade in Susan Schwartz Twiggs August 15, 2022 Dark clouds portend rain S-shaped snake speeds toward shore Spots our shadow, dives. Standing mounds of white Deck posts sport bishop’s mitre Squirrels await cracked corn. Flashing lights caution. Northwoods diner homeward bound Yield for loping bear. Angel Strong August 15, 2022 Wanderlust: I have wanderlust, Miss soaring o’er waves and dust, Heart now filled with rust. Angel Strong August 15, 2022 From Al Gore Temperatures rose, All our leaders? Indisposed. Extinction: It looms. Ana Luna August 15, 2022 ‘Tis a winter night. You take your last frigid breath. I shall join you soon. The winter breeze blows. The snow flurries flurry down. Snow kisses your nose. Thrust in a new world, Look throughout the autumn night. You are all alone. Angel Strong August 15, 2022 Snowfall Memory Withered fields flicker, In time with the bonfire’s flare, Wind melts away warmth. Angel Strong August 15, 2022 Withered fields flicker, In time with the bonfire’s flare, Wind melts away warmth. Angel August 15, 2022 Apologizes, I wasn’t sure if this had submitted, plus I wanted to fix the formatting. Angel August 15, 2022 Apologies, I wasn’t sure if this had submitted, plus I wanted to fix the formatting. Margaret Coats August 15, 2022 Angel, you may have had difficulties because other poets were submitting at the same time. I am going to leave your excess remarks here because I don’t want to risk deleting any poems. Thanks for your contributions! Ekta Adhikari August 15, 2022 Doomed; being awwed and “loved”, An illusion- belonging to family “behoved”, Enslaving creatures- pleasure to fund. Luna August 15, 2022 Doomed; being awwed and “loved”, An illusion- belonging to family “behoved”, Enslaving creatures- pleasure to fund. Ekta August 15, 2022 To heroes- flawed by dimes, Ignored crimes, to build lasting successful regimes, Cruel wars- fueling corrupt grimes. Kai Tumaneng August 15, 2022 Genesis Unwound Colors tucked inward, withdrawn. Russet clay to dust, earth shaped into urn. Kai Tumaneng August 15, 2022 Humiliation: the only enduring state to this graceless life. Alan Summers August 15, 2022 the fading snowfall how it gives into the night gently but firmly Alan Summers August 15, 2022 the glittering ice reflects the eyes of the doe an old oak shelter Alan Summers August 15, 2022 the shifting snowbanks along a long twisting road lingering fox prints Christina Garofalo Bonifacio August 15, 2022 SEASONS Come wander the dark Won’t you stay ‘til sun, my spring Promise never dies. BROOKLYN A string of tealights on a seascape, as each wave rolls safely to shore. RADICALS To seek salvation is to harvest the desert. Dry earth cannot grow. Bentley Brock August 15, 2022 July sun steals sweat As the pine casket lowers— Cicadas sing on. Warm nights ring out, Insects calling to themselves Incessant chorus. Secrets long buried Beneath the rushing river Now breathe summer air Coleen P Kenny August 15, 2022 I’m not a judge but I love all three. Especially the first. Funeral on a 90 degree day last week; you captured it. Jennifer Boulette August 15, 2022 What lies beneath Above the water Stillness, below feet frantic Or maybe at peace Nuts Grief, in a nutshell Consumes my insides and outs Pervasive shading Ego Hi, could you watch me String seventeen syllables In gloried measure? Jane Cartier August 15, 2022 the sky is yellow it morphs into purple/blue now late summer dusk Jane Cartier August 15, 2022 drip, drip, drip the water pools in the dirt, not the grass just wait for the sun Jane Cartier August 15, 2022 not one green leaf left the reds and yellows turn brown the tree is naked Mandy August 15, 2022 Will you walk with me Through the changing fall forest Leaves exhale goodbye Mandy August 15, 2022 A sudden spring wind exhales pink cherry blossoms I look up and smile. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The grey, pewter sky reveals present location Southeast Alaska d. murray August 15, 2022 hiding in the grass cricket i hear you chirping let me hide with you Brigit Truex August 15, 2022 Tiny yellow gears scattered on summer lawns raise and lower sun. Out-of-season snow. Flame-red tulips sizzle, hiss. Ashes cover my path. Some scribe a poem in the key of wind, of sand. Some, no font at all. Sakari Happonen August 15, 2022 feathery green leaves seasonal vegetables rabbit’s midnight snack an ant approaches droplet hanging on a cane bends it just enough behind the sand road field ablaze with wildflowers lovely with bare feet Stuart Jay Silverman August 15, 2022 a patch of clover stars deepen the green where two elderly trees nod the jungle floor yawns wakes to drizzles a heated cloud shakes from its hair a bucket of sap lighted by the harvest moon a touch heavier Oluwafemi Makanjuola. August 15, 2022 A cold blue waterloo Cry me a river of blood From wailing waters. Ally August 15, 2022 The sun stuns us still Bird beaks agape silent scream Living, just about Tilapia gasp The skin of the river breaks They have left their nests Air dense with water Begging for the storm to break Baking pavements wait john calvert August 15, 2022 thAree of my haiku for your competition. Apologies for being so “last minute”… Soft unseen sound Green August apples fall to Squirrels tiny hands Drink up the blue sky I clear the spoils of evening From last nights table Watching her drift by In changing summer colours Blossoming laughter John Calvert 2022 Florin C. Ciobica August 15, 2022 departing summer… a refugee girl changes the clothes of her doll * lilacs in full bloom… the silence before the storm changing its color * cherry trees in bloom… my grandma puts on again her old wedding dress Liz EV Bistrianu August 15, 2022 Dust of sheer hotness, Bitter the trace you left in: Could have been my dream Jack DesBois August 15, 2022 The Swiss chard wilts, scorched. Needs it more or less water? More prayer, or less? Jack DesBois August 15, 2022 Mosquito-free nights: dinner alfresco, with talk of nature’s collapse. Tim Bigham August 15, 2022 hot red sun breathes fire as cold blue salamander breathes water and sky Jack August 15, 2022 On Texel Island, seven thousand nesting terns die; a boat sails by. Sharon O August 15, 2022 When you stare into the abyss, what do you see? Now look more closely. All that is alive will be dead, a fact of life. None is immortal. My heart is burning to ash, to be flown by the wind to the ocean. Sam Milanese August 15, 2022 I sing to the sun Summer breeze bends my body— Am I scarecrow or flower? Nona Ward August 15, 2022 1 “the thrill of de-feet Doctor Scholl is hero mine to walk without ouch!” 2 “good intentions train derailed by as-soon-as tomorrow new start” 3 “haiku you demand I might need to hai your ku syllables scare me!” Urszula Marciniak August 15, 2022 a hot summer night only a slice of the moon for my refreshment the sun almost down only goldenrod flowers between you and me loud shots in the fall the stork flies over Ukraine on a different route Jacob August 15, 2022 Chin-up chirps eat, hot wind is like worms; down the warmth mother couldn’t feed. Leaves fall on rooftops— tap-dance’s eat sounds; hear death hush silence too loud. Bats hang from dead pines— wood mirrors the sun until eyes replace candles. Barbara Vaz August 15, 2022 Life has no meaning We are born, we live, we die We are forgotten Sam Milanese August 15, 2022 The smell of fresh grass Mass murder, beheading blades Drown the screams with “beauty” Barbara Vaz August 15, 2022 Knock, the door opens Ask, you surely will receive Faith is all you need Lawrence Mark Lesser August 15, 2022 Chai-ku The Hebrew word chai: multiples for charity changing the decree Hanukiah Haiku Eight same-height candles lit by one that’s out of line: Inequality? Passover Hangover when the fourth cup made Bubbe fail the matzobriety test Sam Milanese August 15, 2022 Words strike like bullets Springtime flower, your dreams fly But your body fails Diamante Maldonado August 15, 2022 On Resting: There are butterflies, sipping sugar water drops, in spring’s balmy breeze. Eavonka Ettinger August 15, 2022 1. even the gull knows flying against the wind is not how to get home 2. puppy is planting bones in the autumn garden weary worms rejoice Sherri Armel Cox August 15, 2022 Texas Home Cool evening lone star Shivers in an endless sky Guiding the way home Edward Cody Huddleston August 15, 2022 footprints in the snow fresh ink on winter’s canvas shows me where to go Alisha Chobe August 15, 2022 Sunshine and dew mixed with the honey of a love— tastes sweet like your skin. Beaut in brevity, like the soft words breathed while I lay in your warm arms. Sherri Armel Cox August 15, 2022 Secret moon so shy Gentle crescent soft shimmer Caress sleeping grass Sherri Armel Cox August 15, 2022 Aloha Tropical island Frangipani enticed scent Love whispers in breeze Miera R August 15, 2022 ravenous red flames devour ancient forests— a doe calls her fawns ~~~ the sun’s golden sword frees spring from winter’s stronghold— shy blossoms emerge ~~~ birds twitter bees hum blackbirds robins wrens chorus —a springtime orchestra Olivia Kilmer August 15, 2022 Forbidden Kisses As hot tears fall from the sky Your father drives by Yash Batra August 15, 2022 The crisp chills now wane Fresh blooms, outside and within Transform: into you Heavy monsoon rains meet the asphalt laid with hopes with the steam, they rise Cumulous clouds part as golden nectar cascades down their luscious curves Joanna Liu August 15, 2022 Dead Alcoves In the freshly charred snow, A twisted dove flapped about, Waiting for spring love. Dead Flowers Lips shrink from stem’s bone, Drop themselves through dirt and stone, Hopeful to rise again. Dead Poets For this woven word, they leave these pages unbidden unwritten, smoked stars. Sara Naghavi August 15, 2022 My desires are mocked I’m Sisyphus without crime Here I’ll climb this rock Burnt from my limbo I paid my dues in torment Shadowed from the plan I’ve had stagnant say Pay me in life’s full beauty Young but deserving
Qutbuddin Loren Smith June 29, 2022 Earth 16 Spring’s waters sing. They are rushing, hiding, jumping, pushing, laughing life. Earth 17 Ebullient birds finding sweet lilting freedoms …pouring forth such…joy!
Darshayita Paul July 18, 2022 Little did the vampire know, that the blood dripping from the rose had poison in its petals. Grabbing by the collar and stabbing an envious scholar is relatively easy, than slowly poisoning with words. Your eyes burn too brightly, like the stars twinkling in the sky; unlike mine, the darkest night.
Wren July 28, 2022 a frog hops on grass wish i was as light as it dancing in the rain curtains drawn, i sit my room mirroring a womb. the sun, my mother the clouds race, giggling the high hills covered in mist my home lies beyond
Jan Rowell E. Favor August 1, 2022 walking without shoes my burdened soles feel the sand of this tranquil beach
Rishika August 14, 2022 Nature beams, sated; Soothed are souls ,content is life Neath the divine drops.
Rishika August 15, 2022 Behind the tall trees, the cold winter has brought ice On the deep black lake .
Leo S August 14, 2022 She sighs motherhood as wind kisses leaves goodbye dandelions weep Weeds crawl out to feed on rain’s deep melancholy little bare feet run Winter whispers death life withers away, bowed down the mole burrows deep
Darlene August 15, 2022 Three Haikus: Warm air dissipates A cool evening arrives Dew rests on the grass Wind scatters the sand Sunlight beams of brilliance Protected by shades The plum tree’s leaves dance The same rhythm as her hair Partnered by the wind
Lawrence Fray June 30, 2022 Monsoon rain at last, Trees open their palms in thanks; Birds sing, frogs croak: joy!
Yousuf bin Mohammad June 30, 2022 moisture in wind petrichor fills nostrils tsu -nami’s seismic splash
ROYAL W RHODES June 30, 2022 a simple red thread maps labyrinths for footsteps like a minotaur answer the koan do dogs have buddha nature stray dog are howling a butterfly dreamt being a human just once but the wings were lost
Darren Scott June 30, 2022 Spring rain is falling. The world begins to renew. All is clean, for now. The night becomes day. Summer sun burns the horizon. Awash with color.
Sandip Saha July 1, 2022 Incessant rainfall Inundates village cottage Snake befriends human. Himalayan monk Meditates for lord Siva Snow submerges hut. corona virus kills millions in all lands like insects in fire.
James A. Tweedie July 1, 2022 Frost on my window The harvest moon is rising A golden leaf falls Spring at her easel Wielding a palette of green Paints leaves on the trees
A poet July 27, 2022 James, I am wondering… Wouldn’t A golden leaf falls, The harvest moon is rising. Frost on my window. work better in terms of a stanza before the third line? Similarly Painting leaves on trees Wielding a palette of green — Spring at her easel. Hope you don’t mind. If I didn’t think you had it in you (unlike some other contributors here totally missing the spirit of haiku), I would not have written this comment.
Galin Elias Franklin July 1, 2022 Need to clear my mind… A robin quivers and dips Into a puddle Swathe of goldenrod Swaying in the summer breeze… All that Debussy Drifting into shore The swan’s red intricacy… Just a withered leaf
David Sloan July 1, 2022 A riot of red— maples’ farewell wave. We lose leaves, but we gain sky butterfly perches then flits away, pollen-gorged a rainbow with wings light snowfall at first soon buries the blue shovel that we left outside
Mia P. Solomonides July 1, 2022 Delicate white wings dance over sun-kissed petals, tipsy with nectar Pretty patterns play sparkling on the window pane, crystal- cut rainbows Golden daffodils trumpeting the sun’s return, the earth’s ode to love
James McLean July 1, 2022 A colleague paints these exquisite watercolors of fading tulips. Gold leaf on a half- heart stem comes down from heaven on a strand of silk. The snowflake falls like a man’s life toward the ground gentle and loving.
D.E. HOLLANDsmith July 1, 2022 Sputtering wick’s flame Contributes fading solace Shivering; light strained.
Alessio Zanelli July 1, 2022 footprints all around across the waste a pathway only for the blind to see the sunrise sometimes you’re obliged to go where nights are endless the road to nowhere teems with swarms of en route stops— each one’s a finish
Ihar Kazak July 1, 2022 HAIKU ON TWEETING Birds’ reputation Shaken by digital tweets Indeed, some progress… Are all tweets alike? Digital rotten apple Bad name comes quickly. The real tweets from birds, How soothing and sweet they are! But digital tweets?!
Emory D. Jones July 1, 2022 Here is one of my haiku. Squawks from up above Black birds against pale blue sky Crow calligraphy.
Ken Allan Dronsfield July 1, 2022 Three of my haiku. petals of spun gold sunflower on summer days stoic in bright sun duck in the koi pond turtle watches from a log Spring bull frogs singing Twilight autumn woods colorful leaves fall like rain Owl stirs in an oak
Pedro Gaya July 1, 2022 Strike The lumberjack goes to strike down the damp, cold oak – the storm follows suit.
Spencer Davimos July 1, 2022 The two fell in love The same way they fell out of it: Searching for purpose.
Tunde Osho July 14, 2022 And rain Between sun Temperate climate Cold sun Body afraid Of touching water Nightfall Grandma in two clothes August break
Emory Jones July 1, 2022 On the pale blue sky Flocks of birds are writing poems That clouds will erase.
Margaret Coats July 4, 2022 Emory, this is the seventh haiku you have entered, although the limit is three. For ANY of your poems to be considered, please choose the best three, and reply here which ones you want to appear in the competition. Thank you.
Emory Jones July 5, 2022 On a pale blue sky Flocks of birds are writing poems That clouds will erase.
Emory Jones July 5, 2022 I would like to keep the following: The warm spring sunshine Awakens the infant seeds Sprouts climb out of bed. On the pale blue sky Flocks of birds are writing poems That clouds will erase. Yellow butterflies Flitting across green meadows Like dancing sunshine.
Emory Jones July 5, 2022 The warm spring sunshine Awakens the infant seeds Sprouts climb out of bed. On the pale blue sky Flocks of birds are writing poems That clouds will erase. Yellow butterflies Flitting across green meadows Like dancing sunshine.
Margaret Coats July 6, 2022 Thanks very much! I’m considering the above three haiku as your competition entries.
Jennifer J. Petrick August 15, 2022 Hana of June 2022 (vs November 1987) The road to Hana Scented fruit stands on the way What goes up comes down.
James T. STruck July 1, 2022 All the Gods fell out of the sky Falling Into Earth Earth Disappeared without the Sky Gods
James T. STruck July 1, 2022 I was mother’s helper Now that She is Gone Universe could Turn Purple and Die
James T. STruck July 1, 2022 God said to me “are you there?” It is ok to be a person and exist, talk, walk and speak” I asked God “are you sure?”
James T. STruck July 1, 2022 Elvis, Did you really like us? Well that was what the movie said I learned a lot about you Thanks
Margaret Coats July 4, 2022 James, you’ve entered four short poems, but the limit for the competition is three, and the entries need to be in traditional haiku form. Please reply here if you would like to withdraw any of your above entries, so that whatever haiku you might wish to enter can be considered for the competition. Thanks!
Oluwasegun Oluseyi Adesina August 10, 2022 I think people submitting more than three haiku should be one of the disqualification test. There’s no need telling them to correct their inability to adhere to instruction.
Margaret Coats August 10, 2022 You are quite right that there is no need for me to tell a person to follow the competition rules. But when I did this more than a month ago, I gave notice to everyone that I am taking these rules seriously. Since that time, several poets have corrected themselves–and we have fewer poets than last year who will be disqualified for submitting too many haiku. I try to provide a pleasant opportunity for us all, including those who didn’t understand some things at first. Thanks for your haiku and your contribution to the discussion!
Oluwasegun Oluseyi Adesina August 11, 2022 Okay, ma. I can understand you quite well. It’s not easy judging these numerous haiku. Well done, ma.
Pedro Gaya July 1, 2022 Sea of clouds, still goes, like the men walking, because life heats up the quiz.
Pedro Gaya July 1, 2022 Ripe grapes they harvest, carving fates – the best taste. Wine dates, human jest.
Jake Aller July 2, 2022 Korean summer Hot, sticky, humid, sauna Tropical evening My morning coffee Cup of heaven in my cup Black as hell itself My love came in a dream She must have been an angel Sent to save my life
Luigi Pagano July 2, 2022 Perched on pergolas on which the pristine snow falls parakeets quiver The robin red-breast is the bird that announces Yuletide is coming Nothing better than a ‘doppio espresso’ on a winter morn
Paul Freeman July 2, 2022 Skyscrapers in bloom. Traffic connecting the dots. Rain clouds cleanse the air.
Michael Miller July 2, 2022 the cold winter breeze recalls the sound of her voice her sad smile lingers recalling my past how cold cruel winter descends upon youthful joy my life travels time with the seasons passing by with no turning back
Paul Freeman July 2, 2022 Grains of windblown sand marching in dune formations. Stars swarm the night sky.
Trisha Barr July 3, 2022 Nature’s library – deep of night demands silence… a beetle goes crunch! Still, glassy water erases the horizon, blending sea and sky. Riding ceaseless waves like spinning wheels of potters, we’re ever-shifting.
Patricia A. Marsh July 3, 2022 muggy summer night restless sleeper on the porch old guard dog’s deep sigh
Amrita Valan July 3, 2022 Delicious smell permeates An expectant hush. Hard white hot sunlight Filters through amber curtains In beige gold dapples. Last crow of evening Swings on the telephone line Cawing’ at sunset.
Brice Bellanger July 3, 2022 A faded red rose. A tear streams down my grieved face, It can’t revive her. A cold wintry night. Our lives is like this snowflake: A passing presence.
Brice Bellanger July 4, 2022 I wanted to write this second comment in order to revise one of the haikus I submitted; in fact, I have just realised that I made a grammar mistake in the second haiku. Here is the correction of the second haiku: A cold wintry night. Our lives are like this snowflake: A passing presence. Thank you in advance for your understanding.
Oluwasegun Oluseyi Adesina August 12, 2022 Good morning, ma. I forgot to tell you, I made a mistake in one of my submitted haiku which I have corrected. Just a word. I changed “children” to “students”. So, I had to submit the same three haiku again with only the one-word correction making the difference in the second one. Please, ma, disregard the first submission and regard the second one. Thank you.
Margaret Coats August 13, 2022 I have noticed your revision, and the second version is counted as one of your three entries.
peter venable July 4, 2022 Haiku You (or In Bad Taste) On the beach: rain drops splash my lips and stretched out tongue— Splat! A gull dropping.
Marek Kozubek July 4, 2022 places of childhood – the scent of forget-me-nots stronger and stronger early morning fog – a path to somewhere filled with a rustle of leaves grandparents’ house loft – the silence of deep autumn in the spider webs
Joshua C. Frank July 4, 2022 Star-filled, full-moon night Frogs and crickets make music For one little girl Snake slithers away Underneath the wooden fence At the edge of town Little river frog Hiding under the sidewalk When a dog goes by
Jill Kirkland July 4, 2022 Clouds float gracefully Upon the whispering wind Always in motion The ocean’s waters Wrap me in a warm blanket Of cool, clear liquid Shining dewdrops slide To mark the coming of dawn… Where has the night gone?
Hannah Lee July 4, 2022 The sky is paper— I am caught between it and the next page, white field New blooms on black trees veiled in quiet bone-white fog: spring’s dirge to winter The sky, placid lake: magnolia dips three pink toes in its waters
John Kolyav July 5, 2022 Spring in blue lagoon Oyster in nacre wraps pain From pricking sand grain No blossoms on boughs Prophet’s feet on fallen leaves Fragrance of greatness Concentration camp From the bottom barbed wire hangs Skin scrape, frost-encased
Raymond C Roy July 5, 2022 woodland waterfall a glistening tapestry shrouded in its mist the morning after two cardinals cavorting in a fallen tree mushroom multitudes popping up after the rain a refugee camp
Joseph Buehler July 5, 2022 A blinding summer rain strikes our patio and stills all evening noise Spring’s bright pear trees bear no fruit, but delight us with pink or white blossoms Dark green tree top branches sway crazily from an abrupt afternoon summer breeze
Joseph Buehler August 6, 2022 Margaret, please consider the three poems I sent on July 5th. I realize now you only accept 3 poems. I sent 2 more today, so they don’t count. Joseph Buehler.
Margaret Coats August 7, 2022 I am counting the above three posted July 5 as your entries. Thank you!
Divya Venkat Sridhar July 5, 2022 yellow zucchinis sweat in sunlight’s gaze supple, beeswax skin sailboats hem the port icy breeze braids through the waves a glass tapestry blush daisy petals melt in thumbs and grass halos a fleeting love
Morrison Handley-Schachler July 6, 2022 Fledglings in Springtime Know not even how to ask “Shall we see Autumn?”
Morrison Handley-Schachler July 6, 2022 Night before evening Falls on stained-glass windowpanes. Beauty is darkened.
Jason Mackey July 7, 2022 taking out the trash hungry for a fly the frog shoots his slimy tongue ripples in a pond underneath the crescent moon shines a million stars bones beneath the ground buried deep within a mound dying to be found
Roy E. Peterson July 7, 2022 Cherry blossoms high Cherry picking time is nigh. Cheery, cherry pie. “Wind in the Willows.” Pooh’s head resting on pillows Honey? Two kilos. Wind blowing like that Upsets my calico cat By knocking him flat.
Morrison Handley-Schachler July 7, 2022 The Sun is still there On Winter nights but it is Too dark to see it.
D.E. HOLLANDsmith July 8, 2022 Templars’ hooves sling mud Onto blades’ flashing fury. Nostrils swell and snort.
BDW July 9, 2022 Haiku “Clear Dew” Ibuse A turtle plods forth to a wide and sandy beach: the sound of water.
B e D e W August 4, 2022 as per “Clear Dew” Ibuse: The phrase “the sound of water” in Japanese is “mizu no oto”—水の音.
Margaret Coats August 5, 2022 Thanks for clearing the dew! You are welcome to submit your haiku in both English and Japanese if you like.
Alexis M Liftee July 10, 2022 Dreary August night Full moon passing over ships Whistling winds at sea Brisk afternoon walk Sun peek-a-booing through trees Summer breeze cools me Spring time marathon Tunnel of sakura trees Pink petal runners
David McMurray July 12, 2022 scarecrow points the way– to an unmanned rail station rural migration fallen soldiers in rippling fields of golden wheat– winds blow row on row tithes for the stone church… young boys who stole Christmas pines hand back scented coins
Galin Elias Franklin July 12, 2022 Please note that this comment supersedes that of July 1st: Mountains near Madrid Still traced at the seams with snow… Almond trees in bloom Swathe of goldenrod Swaying, surging in the breeze… All that Debussy Drifting into shore The swan’s red intricacy… Just a withered leaf
Mihael de la Montagnes July 13, 2022 Golden stamens waft Bumblebees fly love aloft Pistil packing child Tree figured by wind Stretching beyond endurance stately speaks of change Autumn spider spins Silk threads overwintering Her offspring within
Quentin Brown July 14, 2022 Title: Broken Hearts and Rotting Peaches The worms are feasting On the old sweetness of us Like rotten peaches ———— Title: Playground Trees Old bark is stripped down By sticky, chubby fingers Leaving raw amber ———— Title: Autumn Leaves falling down to Cold barren ground, orange and Brown mix like fresh paint
Shannon Lodoen July 14, 2022 along the sea cliffs the lifeblood of the planet beats against the rocks steam rising from pines heated by the morning sun— vap’rous ghosts set free bare branches reach out to the cold and distant sun; it goes on its way
matt stanley July 14, 2022 springs sun shone as new whisper from a brilliant muse this is a haiku summer snow falling flake-white feathers, bloody quill red-tailed hawk flapping autumn starlight falling pale thin ghosts of fallen leaves on the falling leaves
Kipkorir Amos July 14, 2022 Fallen leaves again; Trees are like feeling lonely — But birds, will be back. It is on the spring; Birds are building their houses— They will be chirping. It’s on the winter; Everything there, are in whites— It is so frigid.
Eric O Owen July 20, 2022 Hello, Annanya De, If I may. Your reference to “black clouds” as a traditional haiku element is absolutely brilliant. I enjoyed reading your pieces. Thank you, E. Owen
Yasuharu Nagura July 14, 2022 When the wind chime rang On the porch, he was hanging A new bamboo blind Reeds, thatch, and bulrush And rusty water fills them Certain places were bright In the paddy fields Weaving in and out between them The two of us walked
Annanya De July 15, 2022 Silently flowing Banks wrapped in green and blossom Sparkling stream in spring
Asha Rose July 15, 2022 I’m not sure I could ever love somebody half as damaged as you bed hot twisted silk sweat heavy cold and callous his back turned to me whispers in my ear tugging so hard on my breasts he never calls again
Dan McCrory July 15, 2022 WHY HAIKU? By Dan McCrory The wind called her name “Windy”: not unexpected. Bad jokes imminent! WHY NOT HAIKU? By Dan McCrory Sure, why not haiku? You can stick words together And they might make sense! NOT ANOTHER HAIKU! By Dan McCrory Not one more haiku! Stupid form of poetry Short and confusing.
Ann Westgarth July 15, 2022 Golden gorse lined road March brings unexpected sun The future looks bright
Veronica Jorge July 15, 2022 Three Haiku by Veronica Jorge 7/15/2022 the erhu’s two strings closely attached make music the sound of our love a coursing river stepping stones to walk across living words that guide branches upward rise touching sky, reaching heaven outstretched arms in prayer
Fred McIlmoyle July 15, 2022 SUMMER HAIKU Sunlit dreamy days Float through golden summer haze Into memory AUTUMN HAIKU Musky amber scents Swirl in sultry wistful air Infusing my mind WINTER HAIKU White virgin snowflakes Winter’s gems whisper to me Immortality
David Wolf July 15, 2022 humid afternoon— lone monarch fluttering low in long pine-shadow rush hour traffic jam — drifting across my windshield: downtown thistledown light snow blowing through— a few flakes on my shoe, gone . . . your hurry, flurries?
Nolo Segundo July 16, 2022 solitary bird why sing you only of spring outside my window? I stole a flower from nature’s bed, bottled it now it is dying the wildflowers of spring dance happy in the backyard till the mower comes
Talbot Hook July 16, 2022 Fiddlehead croziers Break the thawing ground to raise Volute cathedrals. ________________________ Rainy tea harvest, Early mist on leaf and grave — Fragrant communion. ________________________ Hikers sit, sweating; Anvil clouds breach horizon — Earth drinks greedily.
Dubin Galyean July 17, 2022 Death-defying walk Blossom-hued breathing Sickness delayed We’re getting ready Cleaning the kitchen is first Then my attitude Creation demands love Love demands creation Delicious tyranny
Thomas July 18, 2022 The Scent Of Sweet Pine Joy To My Nose Heart and Mind My House Cleaned With Pine
Thomas July 18, 2022 Roots Turn and Do Loop Trees Plants Flowers In One Troop Drink Roots Morning’s Juice
Cheryl Corey July 18, 2022 under heaven’s blue, picking berries, berries blue— bluer still, this heart a chevron of geese flies aloft while acorns drop— ending summer’s lease August, long in tooth, reveals canines through the haze— renders dog-eared days
Thomas July 18, 2022 Dear Sister Corey, I’m Ever So thankful For Poetic Individuality. Each Phase or Statement We Make Is From Our Own Heart Reality. In Reading Your Work I See a Woman At Work, and Her Love In That Work.
Thomas July 18, 2022 Hi Dear Sister Lee, You Do Drop a Fine Line. Foolow Writer Mary Continue To Shine.
Thomas July 18, 2022 I Do Enjoy The Rain, and Your Writing Makes Me Look Forward To The Next Down Pour, Nice, I Mean Real Nice.
Mary Ekpenyong July 18, 2022 Mary Ekpenyong July 18 Nectar to nectar The big butterfly flutters How sweet the freedom Mary Ekpenyong July 18 Yellow autumn leaves Trees’ naked beauty unveils Cold crown of winter Mary Ekpenyong July 18 The wet green grass swirls To a sunny whistling breeze Life after the storm
Thomas July 18, 2022 Yes I Did Enjoy * You Drew a Picture In My Mind Of a Levier Kind. All the Best Dear Sister Ekpenyong.
Nina S. July 18, 2022 Raindrops fall on tears, Dilute, like streams in the sea, Lost in pain too deep. Forget-me-not blue Springing from frostbitten earth Is summer’s bright cue
Thomas July 18, 2022 Hi Nina S. * You Truly Hit a Lovely Mix Of Nature and Emotion, What a Lovely Combination.
Nina S July 18, 2022 Raindrops mix in tears, Dilute, like streams in the sea Lost in pain too deep. Forget-me-not blue Springing from frostbitten earth Is Summer’s bright cue.
Louise Kim July 18, 2022 snow-capped mountainside winter’s glow surrounding us setting sun’s light, red ——————————————— the perfume of stars sweet as shards of nebulas; violent explosion ——————————————— young children playing outside, grassy lawn and breeze i wish i were one
Thomas July 19, 2022 Hi Dear Sister Kim, You Certainly Went Off World and Around The World With This Fine Work, Nice!
Ethan Leventhal July 19, 2022 When tumbling down Comes here all sorts from the town We can live for now Let sciences ring Truth and saving it shall bring But now nevermore Burning and prancing The world around is falling I am here dancing
Darron Moore July 19, 2022 Captain at the helm sailing beyond space and time in my ship of books Brittle limbs prostrate, Beg mercy from cruel lord sun. Damp vengeance sleeps below Make again my love Imitate her very atoms Only an image
Shauna Checkley July 19, 2022 Cat Grace from the heavens furry fine lines by God’s design purring so softly
Shauna Checkley July 19, 2022 snow sheen so very clean each flake never a mistake this unique shite streak
M. A. Dubbs July 19, 2022 Mourning dove crying to a soundless frozen lake- The long wait for spring Creek mud-bank with clams flecking Styrofoam pellets- Shucking man-made pearls Yellow daffodils poke through heavy snow blanket- A fool’s early spring
Thomas July 19, 2022 What a Trip, Through The Frozen, Through The Snow To a Place Where Clams Grow, Nice!
Heather July 19, 2022 The glimmering dew shivers gently on petals like feathered kisses The cold touch of snow Causes shivers upon skin In the lonely dark On the precipice Colored leaves dance in the wind The golden Fall comes
Maura Harrison July 19, 2022 Inspiration Dog day drips, humid. Winter night sits and shivers. Life’s proper fever. His Soul His fingerprints mark the glass, oil from his stories shining in the light. Revelation I’m searching for shells At the turning of the tide, Ocean’s testament.
Ryan Summers July 19, 2022 I can’t find my keys Oh well, guess I’ll walk to store Just kidding, found em
Sydney Stellato July 19, 2022 Small black dog looks up – Full eyes glow and beg at me The door opens, synergy
Sylvia Anne Telfer July 20, 2022 July. World ablaze. Once in Earth revere, coolness. Warring on ourselves.
Abigael Leigh July 20, 2022 HAIKU AUSTIN you don’t live longer raised on the city concrete; it just seems that way. HAIKU MARFA no catchin’ up to yesterday; we burn daylight where buses don’t run. HAIKU SAN ANTONIO tamales stolen with a two-dollar pistol— only hell ma’ raised.
Eric O Owen July 25, 2022 Hi, Abigael Leigh, “Haiku San Antonio” has a wonderful emotional humor with a pivot that speaks to the wittiness, unpredictability, and keen perception that sets American haiku apart from Japanese tradition in this form. I enjoyed it immensely and still chuckle whenever I think of it. Thanks for making my day.
Dan Galbin July 20, 2022 leaves in the fall wind – when in place of the your arms you want to grow wings
Darah Schillinger July 20, 2022 deforestation wait, pussy willow you would shave your soft catkins? surely not for him
Darah Schillinger August 10, 2022 coming home to you is laying in a patch of sunlight that can’t fade
Jim Burns July 21, 2022 Blackbirds in the snow ink for an unwritten song but soon they will fly Fireflies and snowflakes studies in fleeting beauty disappear when touched Like bright autumn leaves those we have loved fall away as winter calls them
andrew shimield July 21, 2022 in an oak tree’s shade the quietness of cattle each twitching their tail Halloween party the devil’s fork in his hand bigger than he is on a chilly night a wind-blown can clattering down an empty street
Darron Moore July 21, 2022 My apologies…my wife counted 6 syllables on my third…here is the rewrite: Brittle limbs prostrate, Beg mercy from cruel lord Sol. Damp plot sleeps below
Thomas July 21, 2022 I Responded To This Haiku, I Didn’t Catch The Miscount, Your Wife Is Certainly On the Ball. Nice Rewrite.
asad ahmad gazelle July 21, 2022 Haiku: Silents Wisdom speaks in briefs few words mind reflects deep silence also speaks
Asaad Ahmad Gazelle July 21, 2022 walking goldmines friends the true friend is hard to find like digging goldmines
Asaad Ahmad Gazelle July 21, 2022 rains green marsh meadow dance with me serenity mountain river rest
Miranda McCoy July 22, 2022 Sloughed snakeskin drapes as we mourn the day’s end. Blanket, or veil, for red clay?
Alexis Williams July 22, 2022 1. cool winds shake reeds loose darkness floods over still water a chorus of frogs 2. red-leafed mango trees new birthings swell pale yellow consummating love 3. calamansi fruit sun-yellowed and ripening closer than we were
Keith Burkholder July 22, 2022 Science Fiction A form of genre, What do you like most in it? Keep an open mind. Knowledge Very powerful, One can read and learn a lot, Have an open mind Death A reality, It reaches us all, too, This is how it is.
Thomas July 22, 2022 I Enjoyed Reading Your Haiku, I Thought “DEATH ” Fell Short. I Could Be Wrong, Take Care.
Rose Jakubaszek July 22, 2022 Fall’s Fashion Show’s here! Toasted browns, yellows, and reds Brand new repeat looks. Let’s meet, you and I Under winter cherry trees Love won’t wait till spring.
Linda Margaret Cheveau July 22, 2022 Waterfall rushing like pink gowns, twirling and swirling the cherry blossom dances. Bird who never flew flapped his wings, stayed on the ground hangs his head in shame. Clock ticks life away never, not going to die until the clock stops.
P. Anthony Ramanauskas July 22, 2022 Hey there chickadee! How sweetly your song welcomes fair weather migrants Long after the sun has set behind the mountains its light yet lingers Vernal blood pulses the snowmelt from alpine heights My body, a river
Don Reese July 22, 2022 Queen Anne’s lace is quick sudden crowd on our corner uninvited offspring bare feet picking through damp stones left at a low tide each reveal deep space dog’s paw in mid-air nose to a fresh sudden breeze– pet rabbit escaped
Miranda McCoy July 22, 2022 Oaks self-amputate, drifting their sun-toned decay: alms for future sprouts. California fires feast, then scatter their takings. Stone-fruits thrive in ash.
Nitu Yumnam July 23, 2022 scintillating stars… darkness doesn’t matter to them they well know their worth
Margaret Coats July 23, 2022 Martin, “These buds opening” and “Curious concert” were submitted in the 2021 competition, and “Curious concert” earned a place among runners-up. It is so good I used it among examples for “What Makes A Good Haiku?” The 2022 competition asks for new haiku, written during the past year. And each competitor may submit only three entries. Please reply here to withdraw the older haiku which are not eligible. And if you wish, add another to the two eligible ones above.
Martin Elster July 23, 2022 Dear Margaret, Thanks for letting me know. I didn’t realize that “Curious Concert” was among the runner-up in last year’s contest. (I’ll submit 2 new ones.) That’s great news. In fact, I’m going to read your article about “What Makes a Good Haiku.” I can’t wait to read it! I’ll try to delete those two haiku you mentioned. I’m not sure how to do it. But if you know how, please feel free to do so. All the best, Martin
Julia LaFond July 23, 2022 Cicadas singing From the boughs of tall green pines – Sun casts long shadows
Julia LaFond July 23, 2022 (entry #2) Heron stands, wings spread Waiting for fish to swim close. Turtles bask on log
Julia LaFond July 23, 2022 (entry #3) Down from the gray sky Flutter flakes of fresh white snow. Air smells of woodsmoke
Margaret Coats July 24, 2022 Of course! I will alert the moderator to delete your previous entries, and I look forward to the new ones.
Kip Rosser July 24, 2022 Scouring summer woods for the chanterelle mushroom; a faun watches me. June wind breathes sea grass. June wind breathes the ocean waves. My kite inhales, soars. Our herb garden’s song: summertime thyme, mint, and basil in concert.
Lorna Ye July 25, 2022 autumn breeze flipping through pages to the bookmark of dried rose petals Your last day of work The sky beaming baby blue Air tangy with earth
Allegra Jostad Silberstein July 25, 2022 I watched a leaf fall to the ground without a sound . . . heard its silent song Tonight planet Mars is caught in the moon’s halo Red Warrior at peace In the deep of sky a great white cloud, a shadow My mother looks down
Linda Marie Hilton July 25, 2022 sweet smell of grass: a field with horses galloping summer heat lingers.
Linda Marie Hilton July 25, 2022 shiver crunching leaves walk briskly bundled up to Thanksgiving Dinner.
Judith Owa July 26, 2022 Let the winds sit still And the clouds hold back their tears ‘Til my love comes home.
Lynn Wright July 26, 2022 Storm-bruised summer sky black-winged, velvet butterfly time and rain pass by
Martin Elster July 26, 2022 Singing mockingbird— this heatwave can’t compete with your sweet obsession. As a city screams its glare, above these barrens gleams the Milky Way. Spring’s tomfoolery can’t fool us; hocus-pocus and — look! — a crocus!
Caleb Ogwuru July 26, 2022 Fire We watch stars find their feet from the Pyrenees peaks And still there is heat Flood Fighting monsoon tears Rivers run away from here Carrying feeling Time Hands without motion Locked within ocean frost lost Just for a moment
Julie Stacey July 26, 2022 grey skies hold gull flights Haverigg birds sing for us our lives by the sea giggles on the breeze crashing ripples trickle home sandscape memories bright reflected sun hot feet hop as dry beaks drop whoosh! wings in flight
Maurizio Brancaleoni July 27, 2022 midsummer’s night trying not to tread on milky reflection night – I look out motionless in the moonlight a cat on the street ©Maurizio Brancaleoni
Andrea Kreidler July 27, 2022 The street light strobes as if my lonely walk is a night at the disco All winter the buds prepare to briefly dazzle before decaying My worldview is an onrushing red waterfall when a rock strikes my head
Judy Lynn Ichkhanian July 28, 2022 Unbent, I follow Fading foot-trace in water, Tears return me home. Snoring on pillows, Perfume of sugared wet dog, Brown eyes bring me home. A hundred years you Promised, a flight into stars, Now ash, all song, gone.
DONALD PETER McCRORY July 28, 2022 Spring´s new lemon moon, curved slice of fruit, heaven-made: birth is bitter sweet. Scarecrows flank the fields, worms work the soil night and day: turkeys smell a rat. Monsoons flood the fields. moonlight breast-feeds the foot-hills: neap tides are turning
Purbasha Roy July 28, 2022 My three haikus- Summer love story Grass and lady beetle Swing in the dawn wind I watch sunflower fields From the bus going to town The winking noon sun Tree shadows stretch far June dusk on the quiet dirt road Swans drift back to home
Stephen Page July 28, 2022 cicadas silent– a red-spotted butterfly upon white lupin the path to the park lined invitingly with trees– dark clouds rolling in entering the park a few days after the storm– smell the drying leaves!
Dallas Johnson July 28, 2022 Thunder beats the sky Rain steps across the surface . . . Hushed now the concert
Michael David Eaton July 28, 2022 Forests burn at night Bright embers float heavenward Stars light up the sky Turtle, a green leaf, blown slowly over the ground by a lazy breeze The mockingbird sings Even more it loves to fight The crow flies away
Brittani Samuel July 28, 2022 whisper “I love you” quiet so winter can’t hear or change your sweet mind
John Sheills July 29, 2022 I’ve stumbled over your website in trawling the internet at my local library (I’m not on line at home). I’ve x3 haiku to present for inclusion in your Haiku competition which closes mid next month (August 2022). I trust I’m fllowing the proper entry protocols. The three pieces are as folows: Fall’s artillery Acorns spatter on my roof Rat! Tat! Winter comes Spent leaf lies dormant On the breast of another Winter pieta Breakdance bravado Side-walk Cafe Sparrows flit Trading manoeuvres Cheers John S.
Margaret Coats July 29, 2022 Thanks for your contributions, John! Please check back after the contest closes, to see the announcement of the winner and runners-up. I don’t know the exact date, but after some days for judging, it will appear in the Society of Classical Poets POETRY column, under the same picture that announced the competition, of a Japanese man playing a flute.
john Sheills July 31, 2022 Reply to Margaret Coates Reply: ‘Thanks for your helpful clarification Margaret. Reviewing my submissions I spotted that ‘typo’ in the middle line of my third haiku – the word ‘sparrows’ should of course not begin with that capitalized ‘S’ Thanks again, John S.
Vasile Moldovan July 29, 2022 Hidden under the barn protected by the weather a nest of swallow I can barely see through the verry flowered skirt the flower of her body the first butterfly in the barely halfclosed flower- messenger of spring
Ignacio July 29, 2022 The rabbit runs scared Hungry wolves snap at its feet The life of taxpayers I grab the old book Hints of must and vanilla A tear for Grandma Old hands guide the young Life and song cling to paper Memories are formed
Abdul-basit Alaro July 29, 2022 A pair of green flames The flight of a sly black cat -basking in shadows. A young flower buds A white man sheaths his bald head- Beneath the sun’s smirk.
Brooke Kolcow July 29, 2022 sidewalk oozes heat green bushes moan locust songs I am oozing sweat with winter waning Canada geese honk-shoo-honk Mr. Crow cackles mustache is sweaty as the lake rumbles thunder sky downpours sweetly
steve kieninger July 29, 2022 my reflection in the top of the toilet bowl refused the Autumn Night falls later now Summer on the horizon of my younger days Over June’s west wind, Autumns red sky approaches unbeknownst to me
Gwendolyn Kudra Billings July 29, 2022 IN RETROSPECT of most importance only realized once lost! even dust settles
Gwendolyn Kudra Billings July 29, 2022 FILMED BEFORE A LIVE STUDIO AUDIENCE claustrophobic gaze amplified when the curtain reveals my stage fright
Gwendolyn Kudra Billings July 29, 2022 I’m sorry for this mistaken entry – Could this one please be deleted/disregarded, as I misunderstood the rules when posted and I realize it doesn’t fit? May I please have this one considered in its place? : BIRTH fresh february to be a bud newly bloomed! sweet tooth vanity
Margaret Coats July 29, 2022 Thanks for your three entries and your note, Gwendolyn. “Filmed” will not be counted, but it will be left here. Deleting it might also delete “Birth” as part of the same comment thread.
Gwendolyn Kudra Billings July 29, 2022 CAREGIVER how miraculous tiny skull fits in my palm… gulliver or god?
Zack Mitchell July 29, 2022 Welcome Bell Remaining hopeful The old dusty welcome bell Waits prepared with cheer. Born Again Alone With the oak hollow A new womb, the fledgling owl Learns to hunt alone. Shudder! My new taste for prunes Stir memories of Poppa In Summer’s loincloths.
Kevin Johnston July 29, 2022 Fair casing of frost Preserves stout boughs while indoors Flames consume their kin Legs taut, the lone ant Drags his load ‘neath blazing sky No one comes to help Some mourn the descent But wisdom sees leaves return To their place of birth
Elizabeth Gauffreau July 29, 2022 a shift in the air scent of dying wildflowers August cruelest month new growth maples, pines farmer’s forgotten stone wall a forest reclaimed ombre sky, cool air twilight comes to the mountain lone hawk circles, keens
Manon van Mil July 30, 2022 Birds on this branch, that branch, those connect. Sing loudly – not loud enough yet Sea-buckthorn berries Leaves falling, roots fixing sand How much can you hold? Millipedes, woodlice, a mycorrhizal network Light in a dark place
Marie Ryall July 30, 2022 June trees full of life Cicada shells left behind Their songs haunt the night Daylight breaks the sky and reaches for my window with stories to tell Forest reflections hypnotize in waves below Beckoning me home
Ngo Binh Anh Khoa July 30, 2022 1. a cicada’s husk grandfather in his best suit hands folded, eyes closed 2. mid-autumn river a lone boat ferrying the moonlight back to port 3. graduation day the twisting river reaches the vast open sea
E. Owen July 31, 2022 Hi, Ngo, as you may already know, conceptualization is one of traditional Haiku’s most important components for delivering its meaning. Pieces 1 and 2 not only delivered on conceptual imagery but added the difficult contrast of stillness and anticipation of rebirth in poem 1 and conceptual motion which many find difficult to master in poem 2. You did both quite well. I was extremely impressed and enjoyed both pieces. Thank you.
Aoife Byrne July 31, 2022 Hedgerows pulse with life The worm’s wriggle is futile Young mouths open wide Snow-muted landscape Creatures slumber in silence Waiting for Spring’s call Bales festoon the fields The farmer labors and waits For the sun’s magic
Milan Rajkumar July 31, 2022 local train station— quenching summer’s thirsty throats a sudden downpour a lump of cold clay … the shape of a calm Buddha in meditation cold sniper’s bullet … the thud in the chest pocket where her photo is
Ellen E Whitehead July 31, 2022 In waning winter a dried thistle bloom appears on my snowy path Open your mouth wide red-winged blackbird and yodel Spring’s joyous return! Cascading down rocks a woodland stream finds its way giggling as it goes
Susan Burneson July 31, 2022 Summer moon streams in Silver light across the bed There, the cat once lay In dark, cool water white swan glides, leaves in its wake summer moon fragments Poised swan, moving feet Poised summer moon, moving Earth Illusion and grace
Brian Yapko July 31, 2022 The winter sun sets… Pure crystalline icicles prism twilight’s death Crimson maple leaves Floating in the temple pond Blush at cold, bare trees Bursts of spring lightning Illumine plum-tree spirits. Blossoms rend the wind
Ma.Paz Diaz July 31, 2022 What is quietude? Do you will heart not to break ~ Squeeze tight and shatters?
Ma.Paz Diaz July 31, 2022 Rocking chairs lull me ~ But I cry on them sometimes When the sun’s hues dull
E.K. Starling July 31, 2022 In thick summer air Swarmed ravenous mosquitos Undeterred by rain Birds splash in the lake Catching fish that try to flee The snap of a beak Orange wings flutter Colors fleeting like a song Monarch butterfly
Finn Mac Eoin August 1, 2022 Rosemary was a Sage-Femme, yet, when she had Thyme, used Dill though, s’Parsley !
Finn Mac Eoin August 1, 2022 Image result of black cat Hieroglyphic Haiku Four Paw Faux Pas (with translation) ∞ § ¶ • ªº –≠ ß ∂ ƒ˙ ∆˚¬ Ω √ ∫ ˜µ ≤≥ œ Lame cat walks across QWERTY keyboard creating Hieroglyphic Haik-
Finn Mac Eoin August 1, 2022 ∞ § ¶ • ªº –≠ ß ∂ ƒ˙ ∆˚¬ Ω √ ∫ ˜µ ≤≥ œ Lame cat walks across QWERTY keyboard creating Hieroglyphic Haik-
Gabriel Awuah Mainoo August 1, 2022 cyclone the wind carts the refugee boy’s teddy bear and back windy Sabbath… a praying mantis slips from the crucifix Mount Emei an orphan-bird navigates its fate in Buddha’s palm
Gabriel Awuah Mainoo August 1, 2022 Dear admin, Kindly find my new submission orderly arranged. I noticed the first submission I mistakenly pressed the enter key which made “and back” come down eventually distorting the form. Thank you. 1. cyclone the wind carts the refugee boy’s teddy bear and back 2. windy Sabbath… a praying mantis slips from the crucifix 3. Mount Emei an orphan-bird navigates its fate in Buddha’s palm
Margaret Coats August 1, 2022 Thank you, Gabriel, for making the correction and clearly displaying your poems.
Lucia Haase August 1, 2022 children play hopscotch amidst a bright horizon a stone’s throw away on this Autumn eve geese fly into the sunset and there is order
Jyi Jyo August 1, 2022 Wet cement sky leaks the hills melt into red sludge banana plants mould Savanna noon sun licks the grasslands beige with thirst lone elephant migrates The charcoal milk goat purple mouthed lies on a mat of African pears
Sumit August 1, 2022 1. A gush of chill wind Golden hour with no gold light Plain greyness in sight 2. The absence of sun Evening adds pinch blue to greys Cooling down stillness 3. Greens turn to light brown, Light rolls down the floor tiles, The smell of winter.
Madeline Weyand August 1, 2022 Lips turn deep blue hue Gentle white snow, flakes fall Cold wind ousts bird calls brown rug, crunching steps winding roots, they dare to trip back down, it’s green up Soft, pink, delicate moisture leaves flower, finds tongue savoring each drip
Phoebe Rhinehart August 1, 2022 Interrupt the form: What stars? What rain? What meadow? Describe the abyss
Margaret Coats August 1, 2022 Darron, this poem doesn’t seem to describe the abyss, as Phoebe asked. But if this is a reply to her, please confirm that it’s not a further contest entry. I find your three entries above at July 19, with a correction on July 21. Thanks.
Darron Moore August 1, 2022 Margaret, yes this was a reply. While not a direct answer, the intention was to show the emptiness of a dark gesture on the openly enlightened, so illustrating a vast void.
Ed Ahern August 1, 2022 Submitted for the haiku contest. fly velocity is two wing beats faster than my swinging swatter leaves droop and curl fainting breezes swirl hot air shaded breaths shallow little river low soundlessly meandering living tucked away 282 Buena Vista Rd. Fairfield, CT 06825 [email protected] Ed Ahern resumed writing after forty odd years in foreign intelligence and international sales. He’s had four hundred stories and poems published so far, and six books. Ed works the other side of writing at Bewildering Stories, where he sits on the review board and manages a posse of nine review editors. He’s also lead editor at The Scribes Micro Fiction magazine. https://www.twitter.com/bottomstripper https://www.facebook.com/EdAhern73/?ref=bookmarks https://www.instagram.com/edwardahern1860/
Sharmon Gazaway August 1, 2022 fan of eyes shivers hypnotic blue suitor struts dull peahen’s bored gaze
Jordan B August 1, 2022 Warm honey once more nurturing light feeds the skin yet the sun must set – Fruitful and fertile bloom fights the icy ennui promising new birth – The sun bids farewell bloodcurdling cicada croon singing summers end
Ed Meek August 1, 2022 Butterfly Each spring when time wings silently by, my butterfly, will you cocoon me? Ice The molecules of water join hands each winter–so cold… they can’t even move. In August Like a rock holds the heat of the sun through the night I hold your memory
Rebekah Nigro August 1, 2022 #1 Spring- I place bets in rain Only watching the windows For raindrop races #2 Summer- You always yell “cows” Sleeping spots on the green field Our road trip comfort. #3 Fall- I pity the snow That never lands in Autumn Nor sees the leaves change.
Arlene Downing-Yaconelli August 1, 2022 sultry summer hum white hives buzz in the orchard winter’s honeyed toast
Sharmon Gazaway August 1, 2022 the ghost crab scuttle dance of dark on warm wet sand reel with tide and foam
Alice O’Brien August 2, 2022 how full is the moon on this blissful August night shining down on me now here comes the sun welcoming in the daylight bringing me to life the wind in my hair as I dance with the flowers in the lush meadow
Jan Rowell E. Favor August 2, 2022 the sunless heavens mourn like hopscotch players that cry rain on summer’s end
E. Owen August 4, 2022 Hi, Jan, If I may, I liked this poem and use of simile, but if it’s okay, you would nail this haiku form if you drop the article (the) in the first line, and perhaps add balance to the simile by choosing a two-syllable word that speaks to your intent in place of “that.” For example, try ‘lament’ and replace “rain on summer’s end” with “rain at summer’s end.” Hope to see more from you.
Jan Rowell E. Favor August 2, 2022 walking with a crutch my urban foot feels the sand of this quiet beach
Ariana Barreto August 2, 2022 Title: Mr.Softee Watch the sprinkles dance Twirl around the ice cream swirl My block was chosen Title: NYC Summer Walk outside, all eyes Sun-kissed thighs under blue skies Door knockers glisten Title: Bodega Blues Where there are corners Bodegas are always found Only when you “Yerrr”
Peter Venable August 2, 2022 Triplets Over grassy dunes Sea Oats lash at sun-burned legs Sand spurs prick my heel Surfers slice through waves Pelicans swerve through troughs A gull steals my chips A speck of ship bobs On sea and sky horizon I am a sand grain
Margaret Coats August 3, 2022 Peter, someone who appears to be your lower-case avatar posted a beach haiku on July 4. Only three contest entries per poet are allowed. Please let me know which three you prefer, or disclaim identity with peter venable. Thanks!
Bob McGinness August 2, 2022 Plodding uncut lawn. Where to, so purposefully, I ask? Turtle knows! Wistful Goldenrod, trembles in the dusting snow. Calling back summer. Decomposing leaves rest on symbiotic soil Survive forever!
Sharmon Gazaway August 2, 2022 blue bowl sky scrubbed clean clouds wrung out and pinned to air all hung out to dry
Fartfist August 2, 2022 *These are taken from Fartfist’s fourth volume of literary works “Seventeen Haiku For Humanity”* (Which were written in 2021) — Ignorance is one The bowl, before the water How much can it hold ~ eight Opportunity This is two, like sun and moon It is there always ~ nine Willingness to act Is three; like the spring flower Interested in living ~ ten
Chris ~cliff~ Reichard August 2, 2022 Entry #1 Devil’s Breath Blist’ry wind’s revenge, ashen snow falls heaviest in nuclear winter. Entry #2 Famine to Feast Hot rain pours over tainted fields long abandoned. Resurrections spark. Entry #3 Blood Orchid One crimson drop spilt feeding the seed sown below. From death, petals bloom.
Linda Bell August 2, 2022 Linda Bell entry Flute longs for its branch Violin longs for its tree Soul sings to the sea
Ben Labelle August 2, 2022 Rain on glass tapping Pooling, catching green or red Is now wiped away Bald squirrel prostrates And gnaws a ripe potato Must be a chipmonk Leaves powdered with frost Icing for caterpillars Glint in autumn dusk
Edward Gutt August 2, 2022 Squirrels A lone squirrel works. Two or three chase each other, Playing around trees. Nature Reveres Itself Winds blow and trees bow – Thanking clouds for bringing rain That nourish sacred trees.
natalie tokita August 2, 2022 wistful white blossoms, how gold you look in the sun! night falls with you here. daisies strung in chains, tangled in the robin’s crest. singing, winging, gone. the last fallen rose wilts sweetly, lightly, slowly, blushing so faintly.
Nille Akor August 3, 2022 To join nature, this noon. To be a bird on Spring’s tree, Singing songs, flying free. Away. To the colourful tweeting birds_ I woke, from my fairytale dream, beholding, A sunny sky, summer’s day. Dancing fish, out of water. Wriggling and twisting, left and right. Yearning. Splash! It feels water again.
Akari Ikeda August 3, 2022 Water beads trickle down my neck and down my glass of lemonade and jazz レモン果汁 首とグラスに 垂れてゆく Blanketing asphalt Frozen layers of snow, slush, salt アスファルト 凍てつく層の 雪と塩 Petals kiss my nose Mountains wear pink blush and smile Blossom rise and fall 花にキス 山も笑顔に ピンクのチーク
Ling Chuxi August 3, 2022 Camels are the desert’s glory. The oasis lacks by the sand dunes. What bird dare to fly? A rock beyond the river, Living centuries, with air of grand stillness. What would be it’s company? Deary winds and empty trees, Greet my waking, along dewy colourful leaves,- Fallen leaves and dry grass.
M'nile Francis August 3, 2022 Wait for the last leaf And sun, to drop, shine. In harmony- Under trees. Paint this autumn. Night and rain, one and Whispering, “let us share the open secret. Roar what the heart says”. Yesterday, the pea was seed. Today, it is out, dancing to winds. Come Morn, it will dew.
Allen Hagemaster August 3, 2022 Lady fall pursues Family views the river Exhales on my skin Long warm fulfilling Change of seasons conflict rift Damaged what if’s black
Srini August 3, 2022 so far yet so near winter stars soon become friends to those who have none suburban midnight whirring air-conditioners keep the crickets up high-rise balcony the perfect panorama of summertime smog
Amanda Nicholson August 3, 2022 Wanting to go on Nature’s last summer day, yet Nature calls, head home Staring at the sun Setting over the forest Goodbye to summer Leaves throw themselves down Now that summer is over Fearing what comes next
Donna Lynne Griggs August 3, 2022 Sense-soaked to the bone On rich banana plant leaves Worms cryˎ journey on Sun on fingertips Beams of life run through our grasp No one owns the light Teased by winter’s breath Sakuras bat their lashes And wind-flowers fall
Maria August 4, 2022 Hi Donna Lynne Griggs, my name is Maria, Mary is also nice. Despite being beautiful, your poem bears a strong resemblance to one composed by another exceptionally talented and eloquent young poet named Jijo who has also composed a haiku for this contest. The verbiage she uses is extremely unique and specific to her, so seeing you post something similar is extremely suspicious. Look her up and see if there are any similarities and act accordingly. My best wishes to you.
Margaret Coats August 4, 2022 Maria, one haiku submitted by Jyi Jyo on August 1 speaks of banana plants, but otherwise I see no similarity between her poems and those of Donna Lynne Griggs. The Griggs haiku mentioning banana plant leaves uses an ancient Japanese poetic convention in speaking of the worms’ cry, which cannot possibly be unique to any modern poet.
Danica Peterson August 3, 2022 Running out of thyme It is mint to be divine A dill-icious dish Sweet fruits of season Summer better than others Berry good to me Wave to the beaches Suns and daughters together Special sand to hold
Robert Dickerson August 3, 2022 If to die’s to tire of your blue, dewy lupine I am immortal. Over the pavement dragging itself through aether singing butterfly. High up in the sky O buzzard, your shadow falls on some patch of earth.
Dibyasree Nandy August 4, 2022 Emerald fronds sway; dewdrop, teary, wrenched away from lover of jade. The young bud blushes as summer cicadas trill. Red sprouts, kiss of bill. Crystal flakes, silver; Hobnailed foot-marks deep in pairs; Chiming church carols.
Christopher Heath August 4, 2022 dandelion pox garlic plugs the oral route unpronounceable sun-locked and tinctured April like a dumb disease sneezes between dates footsteps populate multiplying involvement there and there and there
Ronald S. Cena August 4, 2022 Light clears the path, then. Now, beauty is clearly seen. Eternity reigns. When one sows, one reaps Receiving consequences Actions produce fruits With toil comes sweet gain Feet and hands labor to earn Glad hearts follow suit
Mary Virginia Vietor August 4, 2022 wet dog strains to chase pigeons from puddles, who rise like the scent of rain The streetlight blinks off. Dawn pearls the sky discreetly Erases the stars
wendy lee klenetsky August 4, 2022 “YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT!” that’s what all people say Then I guess I’m “NUTS!”
wendy lee klenetsky August 4, 2022 “YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT!” that’s what all the people say Then I guess I’m “NUTS!”
RPAD August 4, 2022 Still, hot countryside; restless insects buzzing, cut by a lone cyclist. Longing for winter, lasting strife draining the land, until a storm breaks. A secret growing, a promise all summer long. And then, you are born.
Mary-Ini Okaka August 5, 2022 1 Dead leaves fall and dance… A little bit of cold rain, a desperate wish. 2 Young nuns pray sadly, The wisteria weeps gold… Tears, pain and cold. 3 A bonfire crackles, little faces smile and glow… A picture of warmth.
Fallency August 5, 2022 From the tree of life Howling winds screaming covid tore another leaf Torrential rain seen: weeping clouds are mourning death amid pandemic
Juliet Wilson August 5, 2022 winter cemetery – the last moments of a mouse are etched in the snow harvest moon rises through the tree’s tangled branches – a tawny owl calls the old enemies shake hands for the cameras – cherry blossom blooms
X. Beattie August 5, 2022 Plastic Haiku On the beach, plastic catches the light, looking like ocean left behind.
Dottie Joslyn August 5, 2022 I sit in the tree gold leaves falling around me wealth abounds for me autumn glows within sunlight through the deep shadows a sprinkle of gold sun setting early gold sinking into the dark stark limbs against sky
Ella Mask August 5, 2022 Trees blow their pollen Like clumps of cotton drifting Snow in hot July A desert monsoon Rain lashes across the sky And floods the parched ground The lawnmower growls Destroying animal homes The snail speeds away
Marlin Mattson August 5, 2022 Saturday night I washing everything in sight retire lonely. Waiting to dilate in the eye-doctor’s office Argus to Oedipus Feasted it withers fasted it fattens: for love forfeit is surfeit
James Presley August 5, 2022 disdaining either fight or flight, finch sits a fist on the barbed wire fence autumn leaves shimmer– the world is awash in a concerto of colors bright headlights blink by– fireflies soon swallowed up by omnivorous night
Shobha Tharoor Srinivasan August 5, 2022 Covid Crises We demand answers! Oxygen concentrators Still stuck with Customs. Planes land with supplies. Despite the scramble, no one Gets aid they must have. Pain, tears and anger, Loss that belongs to us all. How much can be borne?
Alex Price August 5, 2022 The butterflies dance Amongst the purple flowers Bees sing them a song The heart’s jar, empty Experience fills it up To the brim and more The morning dew drop Nature’s magnifying glass Wonders to behold
Adele Evershed August 5, 2022 first sign of winter a sudden sprinkle of snow settles in her hair a ghost moth cocoon filled with the scent of jasmine and all our sorrows solo sentinel the blue heron reflecting at the water’s edge
Pat Murphy McClelland August 5, 2022 fog wisps wreathe dawn’s peaks indolent sun sleeps past noon Pasadena spring *** iris on the brink of bloom sometimes hesitates spring is full of caprice
Samuel Ojile August 5, 2022 this winter solstice — the only embers we see on night’s cigarette crickets retiring— her call for help too becomes dead silence suitcase of summer; a letter to solitude in the blooming trees.
Daniela Misso August 6, 2022 packing box, moving … the chirp of a lone cricket on my window sill ~ the fading fragrance of freshly laundered curtains heaviness of heat ~ an old memory yellow leaves falling slowly upon the river
Zachary Herman August 6, 2022 Beckon for the ink Fools dance under the dead stars The sun is raptured Parade birds drift south Meaningless meaningless time Awake me in spring Falter to the soil The trees could die in great flame Yet lives beneath nail
Susan Andrelchik August 6, 2022 First breeze of autumn, welcomed by parched plants and land. Refreshing their hope. See the glaciers shrink? Alarming in time-lapse films! Wading through puddles. Ceaseless rolls of waves Gull squawks heard above the crash Menacing and free
Sarah Acton August 6, 2022 With spring, death comes too. Visiting next door, and then, I judge the silence. How dare the mums to Bloom when all else dies in fall? The audacity. Lonely house, silent Except for soft cat feet and Vibrating crickets.
Cydni Turner August 6, 2022 nearing summer’s end the earth marches on, wrapped in winter’s cold embrace pressing thoughts clamor, the roar of the waterfall drowns all worries a choir of crickets sings, performing for the night the same lilting tune
Joseph Buehler August 6, 2022 A dark-eyed brown hued rabbit sits calmly in our back yard, eating grass A doe emerges from the tree line; we watch her from a silent window
Pamela Oliveira August 6, 2022 See-through dress of gauze Pond water teases my toes Foreplay of moonlight. _____________________________________ Turn your eyes to me I too am lonely, you see on the old park bench
Sheila DeBonis August 6, 2022 Parched dirt slurps soundly, Supple plants bend in the breeze. Uproar; cry of relief. Loungers rush inside. Sulfuric scent, stellar cracks. Grey beads, branches bouncing. Big, bawling heavens, Trembling figures…in…out… It’s the farmer’s joy.
Barbara L Silberg August 6, 2022 Raindrops fall with the mathematical precision of abacus beads. I am a geisha: you, my lover, gone to war. Crimson blossoms fall. A peony floats upon the still, blue water. Or is it the moon?
Cella Josephine August 6, 2022 The winds are blowing, A lot more than they used to. I used to have you. Perfect, graceful, smooth Dance is everything you aren’t. But it’s all you have.
Greg love August 6, 2022 As a raindrop falls, A thirsty plant awaits it, Raindrops are not fools, An owl hoots at night, Not in anger but laughter, Night time is a hoot, Wisps of smoke at dawn, First morning light reignites, The fire burns again,
Amanda Leigh Gagnon August 6, 2022 City heat mirage Cooper’s hawk reflects in pane Distorted nature Monsoon Earth is chopped Partially lit by the sun Half under shade clouds Spring embellishments Wild eggs decorate cup nests Flowers adorn fields
Deborah Beauchamp August 6, 2022 Autumn falling down, trees crying leaves of orange, darkness kills the sun.
Deborah Beauchamp August 6, 2022 The biting cold slap stings from your winter demise. Alone with the ice.
Lori Luhrman August 6, 2022 cedars stand and smile, welcome the autumn winds while green fields bid farewell. evening burns slowly air thick, sticky with remnants of summer’s caress.
Samuel Ojile August 6, 2022 this winter solstice — the birthing of fierce embers on night’s cigarette crickets retiring— the silence of dawn lingers her call for help too summer holiday; in the blooming flowers first signs of beauty. Please this is an edited version of my previous submission. Do disregard the previous comment and consider this. Thanks.
Samuel Ojile August 6, 2022 this winter solstice — the birthing of fierce embers on night’s cigarette crickets retiring— the silence of dawn lingers her call for help too summer holiday; in the blooming of flowers first signs of beauty.
Margaret Coats August 6, 2022 Samuel, I take this last set of three haiku as your entries. Thank you.
Dave Spinelli August 7, 2022 Hummingbird feeder Patiently waiting a guest Despite all the ants A deer crossed the road Antlers covered in velvet Wiffle ball delayed Among the boulders Hide n’ go seek in the woods Everybody peeks
Richard Oberrieder August 7, 2022 Gold coin in the sky throwing into the fountain summer’s sparkling lights A laughing child runs under the jet watering a little rainbow
Richard Oberrieder August 7, 2022 The frog comes out the bat returns to cave spring’s rain sings a song
Richard Oberrieder August 10, 2022 Dear Margaret Coats, can you take this last set of three haiku as my entries ? Thank you. Gold coin in the sky throwing into the fountain summer’s sparkling wish A laughing child runs under the jet watering a little rainbow The frog comes out the bat returns to cave spring’s rain sings a song
Margaret Coatds August 13, 2022 The last three are counted as your entries. Thanks for participating in the competition.
Ellen Baker August 7, 2022 My Haiku for contest due by Aug. 15, 2022 Spring Fukushima Shake Rattle and Roll KABOOM Fall Fukushima
Larry Bole August 7, 2022 a shift in the wind~ suddenly I’m surrounded by unseen roses another autumn: I feel old enough to sink into my shadow a lovely shower of leaves . . . as if a woman had let down her hair. . .
Angel L Villanueva August 7, 2022 a flying lapis mellifluous scenery blue jay on a branch ocean waves on rocks thunderous cacophony no one listening autumn hues on trees rainbow colors on their boughs dead in winter gust
Toshiji Kawagoe August 7, 2022 “The first bonito of the season” is a seasonal reference in spring. The Japanese believes that eating the first bonito is a secret to a good health and long life since Edo era. The high price in the auction of the first bonito is always a newsworthy event in spring in Japan. Japanese version: 初競りの声高らかに初鰹
Toshiji Kawagoe August 7, 2022 “the Bastille day” (巴里祭) is a seasonal reference in summer. For the people suppressed by the war and tyranny. Japanese version: 巴里祭の喧噪に消ゆる反戦歌
Ravi Kiran August 8, 2022 Here are my three haiku submissions finding its way out of the slum’s narrow bylanes song of a migrant still a nobody a lump of clay starts to spin on the potter’s wheel double amputee the red origami crane crafted by her hands In origami the color Red symbolises, passion and good furtune
Kala Ramesh August 8, 2022 My three haiku. the chariot wheel in touching the earth moves on … my breath in the now galloping autumn I’m alive for a period of one breath alone parijat blossom father gathers them each day to offer his God
Mallika Chari August 8, 2022 friends meet one after another we stretch our legs night sky I open the window to see the known silence old rock the fine lines on her abdomen
Mallika Chari August 8, 2022 I withdraw all the above three haiku. As i realized it is a 575 contest. I am submitting my Three 575 haiku me sitting alone…. with the ruffling wind enters a rustle of dry leaves all branches chopped down now heard from a long distance the cuckoos sweet songs a quiet evening restlessly moving around the crow on tree top
Bintou Kaba August 8, 2022 My three Haikus: Once I saw you I smiled With pure happiness Gold rays from the sun Run to the pool every day Barbeque with friends Cool wind through the trees Falling red, orange, and yellow Fall: favorite season
Daipayan Nair August 8, 2022 My three haiku: grandpa’s wall picture … the marigold my grandma struggles hard to pick a big loudspeaker in every street and house lane … peace mantra of Om planning dad’s birthday … I collect the smashed pieces of my piggy bank
Ramesh Anand August 8, 2022 Once in a blue moon Another February goes Without my birthday December rainstorm The prayer of muezzin Piercing through darkness An icy stillness The stories we would afraid To hear in darkness
Tracy Davidson August 8, 2022 sakura petals poking through war-torn rubble life still finds a way when Mother Nature paints with filigrees of frost windscreens become art my son stops crying… the winter rainbow, a bridge, for his friend to cross
Paul Buchheit August 8, 2022 The blue-eyed doll lies sweet and still in lacy pink, beside the skid marks. The old woman turns, as she’s done for many years, but sees no one there. Inside the steel pot left here many months before I find tiny bones.
Mona Bedi August 8, 2022 morning stillness just the trembling of leaves outside my window precambrian rocks i talk to my son about the Big Bang warm summer evening— sound of children playing in the ghetto lanes
Mona Bedi August 9, 2022 Please disregard the above . Here is my final submission: morning solitude the trembling of aspen leaves outside my window precambrian mountain i talk to my son about the great explosion hot summer evening the sound of children playing in ghetto lanes
Susan Malter August 8, 2022 Friends matching mountains Your stocking feet in puddles A stone in my shoe Creaks from floor above Footsteps. Drawers shut. You call. Let’s stay here awhile. Blue birds blue flowers On blue branches in blue grass Soothing bedroom toile
Gayle Rose August 8, 2022 winter’s crescent moon surrounded by brilliant stars north wind spins the earth shincha slowly steeps gathered beyond the yak fields dewdrops sparkling withered tea flowers beneath showering starlight cast shadows on stones
Noga Shemer August 8, 2022 spider web garlands adorn the first passerby on this wooded trail dragonfly islands his small kneecaps bob above the cool rippling stream invisible loon gliding on a midnight lake bright stars on its back
Abigail Kangas August 8, 2022 Thorns, like those of life Though they prick, they’re protection Overcome your thorns
Robert Bugie August 8, 2022 1. Spring Rose in Winter Your reign untimely ending Fight on my Monarch! 2. Scholar of Autumn The Archive is in full bloom Harvest the knowledge 3. Birdie of the West Angelic voice of the sky Your Legend in Sand
Subir Ningthouja August 9, 2022 the blue moon rises amidst the rustling bamboos …. i lean on a void ———- a murmuration— starlings form dance patterns to internal rhythms ———- breezy hydrangeas … patches of the pale blue sky sway by a hill path ———-
K M H Shahriar August 9, 2022 Moon in the sky, bright. Lovely nature, touching heart, Clouds, blocking sight.
K M H Shahriar August 9, 2022 Moon in the sky, bright, Lovely nature, touching heart. Clouds, blocking sight.
Andy N August 9, 2022 Walk across the woods the path is covered in cracks. Downpour from last night * Beautiful sunset on a warm summer evening. Hope it gets cooler.
Suzanne Tyrpak August 9, 2022 determined jasmine sweetly creeping up fences while destroying them showing her colors, bold without apology, autumn maple tree on a rainy day mushrooms peek from underground raising umbrellas
Rupa Anand August 9, 2022 1. early autumn mist— a snail’s silver trail glimmers on wet dewed green grass 2. the koel’s summer song seeps through each of my senses —neither of us is sunniest day today— the lady bird looks upward pleading for passage
Allison August 9, 2022 Roadrunner scratches the sun-bleached sand, crisscrossing deep coyote tracks Plastic pink pony sits in summer sand, swathed in hissing diamonds Monsoon swells heavy deep clouds full and ready, us mortals stuck below
Fiona M August 9, 2022 Slurping ripe mangoes This is the gold of summer Sweet as fledgling years. Rain pours like silence Footprints gone in the torrent The earth is rinsed clean. A meteor falls The night sheds luminous tears And we wonder why.
Susanna C August 9, 2022 White sails reflect clouds To dance the sea in slivers Above the whale’s eye Dancing in warm rain Tropical heat loosens limbs A crocodile smiles The song of the bees Sipping nectar in the heat Birds wait for the seeds
Colin Merrill August 9, 2022 Soil, water, and air elements still cold, waiting to become new souls A rumble rises spring mountains shed white blankets and powder settles Twittering echoes and enters the mouth of a cave sleeping bear awakens
Susmita Ramani August 9, 2022 Cup the small spider Rehome her in flower bed while cats look askance On our womens’ hike we linger at each flower seeing there ourselves Suffuse coral light spreads to kiss horizon line Waves eat fireball
Teri Jo Rask August 9, 2022 Red no longer flows, Goodbye is sometimes easy. A breath in, then out. Wild exquisite night! A blanket sky shimmering Joy envelops me Despite my efforts Omicron got me real bad Wear a mask, be cool. Moved by moderator from ‘What makes a good Haiku’
Teri Jo Rask August 9, 2022 Wild exquisite night A blanket sky shimmering Peace envelops me Red no longer flows, Goodbye is sometimes easy. A Breath in, then out. Despite my efforts, Omicron got me real bad Wear a mask, be cool.
Bud Sturguess August 9, 2022 Stale hell on my breath I said don’t bother dreaming – In dust, I repent.
Barrie Levine August 9, 2022 at the roadside stand I fill my bag with three pears and the harvest moon
Ren Koppel Torres August 10, 2022 It’s still pozole rojo but You better bypass that tocino, ‘cause it’s our receta Kosher.
Ren Koppel Torres August 10, 2022 Note: “It’s still pozole rojo but” is the title of the haiku. Pozole rojo is a Mexican stew typically made with pork. In Spanish, “tocino” means bacon, and “receta” means recipe. For context, I’m a Mexican Jew. Thank you!
K.F. August 10, 2022 Honey. Sugar. Lips. The Sweetest taste. Touch. Feeling. Flowing in your mouth. Nine..Five..I love you. Nine..Seven..And Loving you Today, its still you.
Symrin Kaur August 10, 2022 The moon cries to me, Someday I will forgive you, The sun screams louder.
Neena Singh August 10, 2022 Here are my haiku submissions: serrated pink conch… the rising waves of the sea resound in my ear * midsummer shower spills in the temple courtyard plumeria scent * sun-soaked paddy field the old farmer shades his eyes with a calloused hand
Sheila Barksdale August 10, 2022 teeter-totter joy two winter scarves are trailing, tracing rainbow’s arc barefoot on the lawn avoiding the snag and squelch of fallen medlars dusty bare pasture an old racehorse lifts his head: the white waterfall
Laura Waldorff August 10, 2022 Here are my haiku submissions: Woven bracelet, words Of old becoming, new birth Yes, I am undone Twins’ twinned eyes, laughter Here the call of summer bird Freckles and honey My mother and tea Bright mint leaves on hot water I drink my childhood Thank you for your consideration.
Anna Eskenazi Bush August 10, 2022 Pretzel Haiku I caught a pretzel With my clean, bare feet today Shall I eat it now? Bedtime Laundered crisp bed sheets Dirty unwashed unsocked feet Soil a good night Or for those who pronounce soil with one syllable: Soil a good night’s sleep
Anna E Bush August 10, 2022 The Creek the creek water does not question – it just flows, goes it knows all is well
Oluwasegun Oluseyi Adesina August 10, 2022 sudden August rain . . . a boy hastens his footsteps towards the puppy rumbling and thunder — the sound of church bell after the covid lockdown blossoms of the spring . . . two high school children fighting for the window seat
Oluwasegun Oluseyi Adesina August 10, 2022 sudden August rain . . . a boy hastens his footsteps towards the puppy rumbling and thunder — the sound of church bell after the covid lockdown blossoms of the spring . . . two high school students fighting for the window seat
Janis B August 10, 2022 A pike catching fish Aiming to have a great meal To be caught by me A bird lands beside I feel it has to like me But seeds are nicer I leave jars in woods Walk further away proudly Trip over bottles
Coleen Kenny August 10, 2022 Jellyfish Moon–clouds trail like tentacles trapping stars for her supper Full moon spies between my blinds. A voyeur deprived of earthly delights Examining trees– gnarled branches hold stories like my weathered heart
Suzanne S. Austin-Hill August 10, 2022 1. (Ekphrastic) Haiku FUJIWARA no Yasumasa Playing the Flute by Moonlight Yoshitoshi (1839-1892) amidst the tall grass notes take flight to hunter’s moon beguile the wicked 2. single barren branch against winter frozen tears burns cardinal’s heat 3. decades of advice incomprehensible spring now echo their worth Suzanne S. Austin-Hill
norma laughter August 10, 2022 Freeing a caged bird the rescuer gains merit Destroy the cages! While grain may sustain it’s the chaff that seals your fate Winnow carefully!
Ginger Garrett August 10, 2022 steam rises off heads chill morning meditation monkeys in hot springs daughter wife mother a life of hibernation from being herself willow tree branches husband’s hands around my hips swaying with the breeze
Darah Schillinger August 10, 2022 coming home to you is laying in a patch of sunlight that can’t fade
Jennifer Elise Wang August 11, 2022 Climbing the cliff’s edge, I pause to look at the stars, Unafraid to fall. Girl walking at night, You ask if she’s alright— Fox eyes, blood-stained grin. Dark descends sooner, Bringing a chill with the wind— Pumpkin spice returns.
E. Owen August 12, 2022 Hi, Jennifer Elise Wang, I read your third haiku several times, until the lines conceptualized, and I could imagine shorter days in proper season and almost smell the nutmeg and ginger in the air. Wonderful traditional haiku with proper theme and structure consistent with the brief. Thank you.
Christopher Calvin August 11, 2022 the milky way course endless stars drift in and out the impermanence breeze through window wind chime twinkle fills the air dream of (b)right summer flutter…kite flutters little kids freely follow where butterfly flits
A.J. Anwar August 11, 2022 (1) midsummer morning– visiting sparrows play hops on my porch tiles (2) new life past the drought withered tree among the greens declines second chance (3) after the rainstorm the rapid rushes downstream to gather itself
A.J. Anwar August 11, 2022 Kindly consider the revised versions below as my entry poems: (1) midsummer morning– visiting sparrows play hops on my checkered porch (2) new life past the drought withered tree among the greens declines second chance (3) after the rainstorm the river rushes downstream to cleanse herself off Thank you.
Alan Millichip August 11, 2022 Brought down by the wind Destroying the raven’s nest Shelter for the mouse Cooling the turbine A backward flowing river Energy wasted The barriers failed A full moon and a spring tide The flood plain reformed
Murad Ibrahimov August 11, 2022 Cracking of a stick; One by one, worried heads turn — A mass exodus. Drowsily awake, wiped the foggy window, and from end to end — white. A strong gush of blood; People come together with a strong gush of joy.
Cheryl Licata August 11, 2022 Cheryl Licata August 11, 2022 seeds sprout grow droop fall decayed orphans not chosen bees sip apple juice marshmallow fluff clouds icy blue popsicle sky wings lick confection rapacious seagull soaring scavenger seeks crumbs spies youngster’s sandwich
Suzanne Austin-Hill August 11, 2022 Yes, I can be a bit much. But, thanks for hangin’ out with me all these years!
Seth Koppel August 11, 2022 Strolled through Central Park, Stepped on pigeon eyeball—yikes— Now haunted by grapes.
RJ Murray August 11, 2022 Gentle water flows Sunlight illuminating Rocks rounded by time Sunlight elucidates Casting light upon new life An explosion of colours Light across the sky The weight of thunderous air A storm approaches
Kelly Shaw August 11, 2022 reflecting two worlds before the wind and after dandelion seeds the goldfish glowing in a bowl that quietly annihilates it looking at the moon not sure where to put my hands so they just dangle
Benjamin Bläsi August 11, 2022 one hundred starlings silhouette the falling night: last songs of summer lost in perfumed air: a small skipper is crossing the wildflower sea leaden calls of gulls drifting through the morning port the shimmer of snow
Linda L Maxwell August 11, 2022 ENTRY 1: SPRING AGAIN Lipstick red Poppies Flirt with bachelor’s Buttons Weary of creepers. ENTRY 2: WATER AEROBICS Young swimmers witness Gray heads bobbing to oldies– And stay in their lane. ENTRY 3: THE LAST RECONCILIATION I nod and agree When he says he’s through with me Let it be. I’m free!
Carrie R. Hinton August 11, 2022 Winter #1 Amber light dances Leaving shadows in its wake White ash falls like snow Winter #2 Branches reach to blue Bare skin trembles from the cold You pull me closer Winter # 3 Coffee in my cup My sundried lips part for it Sugar bites my teeth
Orlando Walker August 11, 2022 A poem so short One of the finest it is Yet it qualifies Simplified writing Of three lines a poem told Five, seven, five pattern Have a guess my friend What could it be: Sonnet, Ode? ‘Haiku?’ Right answer
Julianus Julius August 12, 2022 Frothing and frothing Would have stopped it if could— I cry, she froths the more. Night cold’s hell for her; Winter nights all the more hell: She sneezes to tears.
Stuti August 12, 2022 A tribute to my favourite season – #1 Vibrant brolly tops paint the bazaar’s bustling streets veiled by charcoal skies #2 Little paper boats drift in water logged bylanes; Chai and charcha thrive #3 A congregation Of lusty frogs is singing; Raucous monsoon choir
Margaret Coats August 12, 2022 I and many others pronounce long /i/ words such as “choir” and “fire” as one syllable. Thus the syllable count in “raucous monsoon choir” is five. But I am aware that others pronounce these words with two syllables. In this contest, where we have variants of English from all over the world, I do my best to accept regional pronounciations, even if they are not my own. Thanks for letting me make my policy known!
Stuti August 12, 2022 Thank you for sharing your feedback Suzanne. I myself tend to break it into 2 syllables, but from reading a lot here, I’ve come to understand that more people read it as a single syllable than as 2. Margaret has answered it wonderfully 🙂
Suzanne S. Austin-Hill August 12, 2022 Takes all kinds (and pronunciations) to make the world go ‘round.
Stuti August 12, 2022 Thank you so much for clarifying Margaret – both the syllable count and the policy. That is really kind of you 🙂
jeer August 12, 2022 lost innocence intimacy violated a life destroyed heart on fire love flows elusivily fingers that caress perfume in the park the scent of limeblossoms i get lost in you jeer Netherlands
Patricia Furstenberg August 12, 2022 russet leaves alight- pennies rustle in delight Autumn’s butterscotch barbed balls drop, roll, peep chestnuts, autumn’s chocolates nutty, it struck me golden philamot calloused leafs a bass choir grey nightingale t(h)rills
Suzanne S. Austin-Hill August 12, 2022 Second Haiku – second line has 6 syllables. We don’t typically say choc-o-lates.
Patricia Furstenberg August 12, 2022 Thank you, Suzanne. I hear it now 🙂 Thus, my second haiku is: barbed balls drop, roll, peep chestnuts, autumn’s chocolate bites nutty, it struck me.
Marcia Burton August 12, 2022 sparrow in her palm the impossible angle of its perfect head a misty hillside tea leaves ready for picking the scent of bright green a little tug boat emerging from the grey mist tows spring behind it
Barrie Levine August 12, 2022 combing her mom’s hair . . . in the distance, waterfalls ripple with silver
Amy Losak August 12, 2022 small yellow flowers bees, brown moths and butterflies giddy from their feast
michael lowenberg August 12, 2022 Yes, there is a dove sitting in a tall oak tree. I hear a high coo. You ask, “Who would name a groundhog Woodchuck Norris? Well, would Chuck Norris?” Diddly, zilch, nada, naught, nil, goose egg, zip, nix, aught… Nothing comes to mind.
Barbara L Silberg August 12, 2022 Technically, these are senryu. Good senryu, but not classical haiku
Margaret Coats August 14, 2022 Thanks for your comment, Eric. It will help me explain what I accept as haiku a little further. Let me assure everyone reading this that I appreciate your contributions to the study and writing of haiku. I may contradict some of your expressions, but that does not diminish my regard. I responded to Barbara L Silberg, because she told Michael Lowenberg that his entries in this haiku contest were good senryu rather than classical haiku. This made it necessary for me to say more precisely what I accept as haiku in this contest, lest Michael or anyone else presume by my silence that entries like Michael’s do not meet the requirements. Notice that I am NOT judging Michael’s poems by what I say here! I do not judge entries while the contest is going on. Rather, I clarify my idea of what a haiku is. Beyond the 5-7-5 form, haiku must have a seasonal reference (kigo) and allude to nature. Haiku can use language artistry of any kind that fits the form, so as to achieve its special effect. My view comes from reading thousands of haiku. I will once again state that there is no sharp distinction between haiku and senryu. Eric, you say that the distinction is thematic, but I say no themes are off limits to haiku. It is not the topic or the mode of discourse that makes a senryu. It is the lack of kigo and nature. There are plenty of witty, satirical, and storytelling haiku. Do you know the one about the icicle hanging from Buddha’s nose? Excellent haiku with a sardonic tone critics would like to reserve for senryu! But it meets every requirement for haiku, and shows how much freedom of expression haiku have. Never think the requirements of poetic form diminish freedom of speech! I’ll give another splendid haiku to demonstrate. This was written by 18th century Buddhist nun Chiyo-ni, and translated by me. Look at clear water. Considering front and back, it has neither one. “Clear water” is a summer kigo, and water itself is an element of nature. But this isn’t a description of nature, it’s a philosophical poem about non-duality–or as one interpreter says, “the coemergence of all phenomena as one.” There’s no landscape and no time of day. For readers who must have a nature sketch as haiku, or witty cynicism about human frailty as senryu, it is neither one. Non-duality, as the poet said. We have many haiku in varied styles in this contest, and I’m glad you’ve enjoyed them, Eric, so much as to make comments on several. That’s something I as contest judge cannot do, and I’m sure the poets appreciate your attention.
Margaret Coats August 12, 2022 Thanks, Barbara, for bringing up the distinction. There is, however, no sharp dividing line between haiku and senryu, even among the works of the Japanese masters. For this contest, I accept as haiku any poem in haiku form with reference to a season and alluding to nature in some way. Seasonal reference is often achieved by simply naming an animal or plant associated with a season. Language artistry such as Michael Lowenberg’s puns can contribute to many different kinds of poetry, including both haiku and senryu.
E. Owen August 13, 2022 Hi, Margaret; it’s Eric. I enjoyed your response to Barbara concerning “Lowenberg’s puns;” however, if I may, I find that while Lowenberg’s puns fit easily into either form category (haiku or senryu), Lowenberg blurs the “dividing line” with thematic hybrids, touching on nature and cynicism in the senryu form, where reference to a season is not required. The dividing line even among Japanese Masters, has always been thematic rules requiring season and time of day for haiku, whereas senryu was allowed more freedom of expression in a witty, tavern, storytelling sort of way to poke fun at human frailty. I agree, however, both forms are haiku structurally and syllabically, and both are otherwise distinct by restrictions required in haiku versus their absence in senryu. I applaud your work and caring critique and will continue reading the talented contributions to the competition. I hope this helps. Sincerely, E. Owen
Margaret Coats August 14, 2022 Eric, my reply to you somehow went higher up in this thread than I expected. Please take a look immediately below Barbara Silberg’s comment.
Adekeye Oluwasegun Lukman August 14, 2022 Please i need help, i can’t find the comment section. Here is my poem, and hope it’s considered Chilling with the cold Unquestionable downpour Beating… blabbing rain. A duel with my chi… Parading the market square It’s masquerade festival. The eagle’ talon Piecing on the Y image Giant of Africa.
Margaret Coats August 14, 2022 Yes, Adekeye Oluwasegun Lukman, it is difficult even for me sometimes to navigate this large number of poems. I am very glad to see your haiku, and they are officially entered. Thank you!
Donald Joseph Lee August 12, 2022 Entry 1 – Snow blankets the day Creatures seek comfort and warmth Waiting for the sun Entry 2 – Thunder beats the sky Lightning strikes the ground, tremble We all run away Entry 3 – Floods break through the land Offering devastation Everything is wet
Esther Paddon August 12, 2022 Covid’s come to stay Man, unable to curb its power Crazy, odd cosmos. Time alters everything Slow-moving, rippling water Transcends humanity. Age is but a stage Performance glistens briefly Leaving empty void.
Esther Paddon August 12, 2022 Time alters everything Slow-moving, rippling water Transcends humanity. Age is but a stage Performance glistens briefly Leaving empty void.
Maria Cezza August 12, 2022 it is so strictly short the life of the butterfly ‒ intensity of a farewell
Adekeye Oluwasegun Lukman August 14, 2022 Please i need help, i can’t find the comment section. Here is my poem, and hope it’s considered Chilling with the cold Unquestionable downpour Beating… blabbing rain. A duel with my chi… Parading the market square It’s masquerade festival. The eagle’ talon Piecing on the Y image Giant of Africa.
Maria Cezza August 12, 2022 Excuse me: it is so strictly short the life of the butterfly ‒ intensity of farewell
Maria Cezza August 14, 2022 it is so strictly short the life of the butterfly ‒ intensity of farewell
Anthony Watts August 13, 2022 Inextricable A wild rose, a hawthorn tree Like Rodin’s lovers Ice covers the pond I stamp a hole with my heel Now the birds can drink A majestic wind Sweeps down the wide avenue The trees bow and scrape
Sue McMahon August 13, 2022 Indigo eyes still Open in the deep valley Waiting for true love dark sunrises start the day off cold and dreary sunsets come too soon Winds rip the gray clouds Blowing mist collides with rocks Freedom overcomes
Gugulami Kandawasvika August 13, 2022 Sodden rolling clouds give birth to silvery veins lightning strikes again Miniscule shelled troops ingested by the ocean- Genesis of life Blistering syrup oozes from the Earth’s belly, what an eruption!
Sara Kate August 13, 2022 Renew Sharp spearmint sprouts up Crisp as cooling, early rains Smiling senses shine Revive Luscious lemon balm Sends sweet scent, refreshing splash Summer’s citrus kiss Restore Roasted rosemary November campfire embers Earthy warmth within
Stephanie Schrecengost August 13, 2022 Books recall the way Of trees—they sigh and whisper Of skeleton leaves Books speak. Pages shift And sigh, like skeleton leaves Recalling wind’s kiss. Shelved books feel echoes Of rain, of wind, of sun. They Dream in emerald. I often wish that Midnight’s sand could sweep away Echoes of your kiss
Stephanie Schrecengost August 13, 2022 *Hi, I forgot that this was only supposed to be 3 entries. Apologies! Please disregard the last haiku I submitted. Thank you.
Adekeye Oluwasegun Lukman August 14, 2022 Chilling with the cold Unquestionable downpour Beating… blabbing rain. A duel with my chi… Parading the market square It’s masquerade festival. The eagle’ talon Piecing on the Y image Giant of Africa.
Toshiji Kawagoe August 13, 2022 The fish in the pond breaks the ice at Zuikoji whale songs in the breeze
Toshiji Kawagoe August 13, 2022 “The fish in the pond breaks the ice” （魚氷に上る）is a seasonal word in spring. A bridge at Zuikoji temple (雪鯨橋) in Osaka, which is made of whale bones, was constructed in the 18th century for praying for a good catch and as a memorial service for the sacrificed whales. (Please note that whale fishing was one of major sources of livelihood at the poor fishing village at that time.) Japanese version: 氷に上る魚の音を聞く雪鯨橋
Adela Sanchez August 13, 2022 That’s life don’t complain On those pants a little stain Because they were free. Water is for life If only I will drink it Then I might survive. Waiting for you here While you decide to answer And you never come.
Adela Sanchez August 14, 2022 I’m new to this and my first try to haiku poems. I didn’t know they had to do with nature. Can I try again and send 3 more and disregard the originals?
Margaret Coats August 14, 2022 Yes, you may certainly do that. For help on the requirements, there are several places to click in the contest announcement above, especially the WHAT section. I believe the contest closes tomorrow night at midnight New York time. This area for posting poems will not work after that! Also notice that the results of the contest will appear on August 30. Good luck!
Valerie Rosenfeld August 13, 2022 with nowhere to be the butterfly stops to sip sunshine from the trees I bring my chatter to the crickets in the night and become quiet lake holds the shadow sky holds the echo—the loon is already gone
Sebastian Chrobak August 14, 2022 piano concert hope hidden in every vibe of the spider’s web a violent wind petals of cherry blossoms among the ashes
Keith A. Simmonds August 14, 2022 Symphony of light throbbing on a waterfall… aroma of dawn A caterpillar hanging from a broken twig… soon the miracle Starry-eyed lovers kissing under the full moon: scent of cherry blooms
Rajandeep Garg August 14, 2022 deep in the summer two butterflies sharing a small piece of shadow the yesterday’s rain held still in the palms of leaves my tears left uncried burning laces of the sun blazed clouds, engulf me a blood laden shroud
Marina Shemesh August 14, 2022 hiking in august in Israel warm air and thorn paths struggling and scared of snakes, and sweat and dust and joy
Annette August 14, 2022 all birds migrated he remains empty handed his fingers frozen ∞ midsummer party air full of lavender scent and sweating dancers ∞ such a sunny day there’s not a cloud on the sky – droughts everywhere
LAKSHMI IYER August 14, 2022 My offerings: . now i understand what she meant by the blue moon … neelakurunji . autumn swings in me still can’t find the reason why i cry in silence . first colouring book … the sun rises with four thousand sunflowers .
alks August 14, 2022 a cup has a crack abrading lips, and nectar underneath its thorn As the mist rumbles A fallen snake sheds lightning Clearing turbulence Lustrum-long winters Of my inner hemispheres Await midnight suns
jd August 14, 2022 Brown stain on green grass explodes to burst of sparrows feathers in my chest. Verdant leaves above a torrent of squawks and sweeps the cat walks quietly Unbroken blue sky breeze-brushed sun over all God alone in charge
Chen-ou Liu August 14, 2022 first homecoming trip the headlights break the darkness not tangled feelings an unmoored sailboat one-step-forwards, two-steps-back of our love affair
Chen-ou Liu August 14, 2022 Revision: first homecoming trip my headlights break the darkness not tangled feelings
Beatrice August 14, 2022 Cold evening, A donkey bray’s, While taking shelter with men. A blazening fire, A cat meows; In the freezing of the night. A weathered soul, Treading a desolate moor; Smell of Death!
Ezeifedi chibueze August 14, 2022 Rains rinse off the night from skies blurred into secrets that still smell of time The bird sits on songs now woven from the dark light of rumbling thunder. The night condenses Into black brown coffee drops. They stain the morning.
Ezeifedi chibueze August 14, 2022 Rain rinses the night off skies blurred into secrets that still smell of time The birds sit on songs now woven from the dark light of rumbling thunder The night condenses into black brown coffee drops. They stain the morning
Jeffrey Ferrara August 14, 2022 unseen for ages hunger stones reappearing on the waterway glory in the fall a sagging barn in Vermont draped in fresh colors
Diane Jackman August 14, 2022 drought summer leaves droop thirsting for absent rainfall autumn comes early pheasant taps on glass dish of water placed outside message understood
Elizabeth O'Connor August 14, 2022 The maternal wind that carries the sweet scents of pollen and petals In the bitter air, Snowflakes dance delicately and land perfectly Golden leaves fall down into a great pile, ready for children to jump
Shelli Jankowski-Smith August 14, 2022 this long July day lingering over my wine in backloaded light a sudden rainfall by open cottage windows towels tossed on the floors Mom’s dying garden the sharp fingers of thistles take it all at last
Patricia Ann Bowen August 14, 2022 Great horned owl and I Share the hours before morning, Hunters joined in awe. My child grasps a bud, Full and fragile as her own Youthful scent and hue. The cat is outside, Howling for some love and fun. Take her. She’s ready.
Ash Evan Lippert August 14, 2022 to my cousins’ house past wilting geraniums the slap of sandals 5 PM nightfall my wool hat dripping snowmelt into red curry held by its ribbons — breezing past plum blossoms with my box of eclairs
Lorraine A Padden August 14, 2022 the rippling cursive notating a bluer sky in migrating geese anniversary- a single blossom floating in my jasmine tea slipping through the mist a droplet from her paddle the canoe at dawn
Phoebe B August 14, 2022 Blankets of moss draped lavish furnishings help to welcome insects home The tide tells the moon the dreamcatcher in the sky to bring on the dawn Fragments of pale light cherryblossoms giggle and blush dancing from the trees
Adela August 14, 2022 Hi praying mantis So pretty and green you are Soon you will turn brown . Cloudy days and nights How long til you give us rain? We need it right now. Shades of blue and white The sky is turning dark now Thank you for the rain.
Sarah G August 14, 2022 Moonless winter night Telescope set up just right Behold: ancient light! Shadows growing tall Grass grows slowly, if at all Welcome back, dear Fall. A warming planet A couple falling in love Let’s enjoy the end.
E. Owen August 14, 2022 Hi, Sarah. It’s Eric. Not sure if you were submitting to brief that accepts traditional haiku in senryu form. But, If I may indulge you for a moment, while the first two pieces are enjoyable to read, they are considered haiku-syllabic tercet, and in that description if a brief calls for it, a form of American haiku with the focal elements on syllable and line structure. Traditional haiku, however, does not allow for rhyme. I hope this feedback will help. I look forward to reading more from you. Keep writing, and good luck. Sincerely, E. Owen
Margaret Coats August 14, 2022 Sarah may have read my essay “What Makes A Good Haiku?” In it I offer several examples of good English-language haiku that use rhyme, meter, and alliteration. A poet may use these and other literary devices in haiku of traditional form (3 lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables, including reference to a season of nature). Rhyme is NOT forbidden, and does occasionally occur in Japanese haiku. But this competition asks for traditional-form haiku in English, and therefore the artistic potential of the English language and English poetic traditions such as rhyme are most welcome, though not required.
Maria Cezza August 14, 2022 I apologize if I re-enter my three haiku, but I was afraid I was not clear, and I had not received a confirmation response. Thank you very much, and good luck an old abandoned chapel ‒ an hot offering of light lies among the ruins wedding ceremony the snow that assimilates the meadow and the path it is so strictly short the life of the butterfly ‒ intensity of farewell
Margaret Coats August 14, 2022 Thank you, Maria. This is your confirmation that the above three are your entries.
Aoish August 14, 2022 Holy night telling small lie to my kids Long long ago Grandma read the book that I read Ammusement park Daddy keeps balloons in the way
madeleine kavanagh August 14, 2022 Trees sway in warm breeze Soft chirrups burst through sunbeams Blue birds on a branch Jasmine morning scents A Cloud of dragonflies float Dog days of August Mist wraps her winter around velvet hills. Cows low by evergreen trees
Jerome Berglund August 14, 2022 1 crops at death’s doorstep when the sheets of grain rain come — giving rescue breaths 2 creaky oak blocks clouds… presenting a new target for the magpies 3 some if these hostas will flower grandly you know… or do you not know?
Leah Fischer August 14, 2022 1. Rust Rust spots dust the leaves So green they seemed, now dying Fuzzy seeds fly. Why. 2. Splash! Bare feet pound lush grass While hairy green mosaics top a still lake ’til…
Don Baird August 15, 2022 meandering moon . . . please tell how you met the star in a rolling wave beyond the red swing — an old weeping maple tree darkens the shadows fading mountain goat . . . why does the rolling fog bank cover your footprints?
Animesh Satapathy August 15, 2022 Tear drops down to earth Middle of night, in forest Sees the moon through trees Ranges of Mountains Colour fades, green to white Hits the horizon Hears soothing flute tune In the midnight dark forest Rushes to find none
Adekeye Oluwasegun Lukman August 15, 2022 Chilling with the cold Unquestionable downpour Beating… blabbing rain. A duel with my chi… Parading the market square It’s masquerade festival. The eagle’ talon Piecing on the Y image Giant of Africa.
Tunisia Nelson August 15, 2022 The listless dancer Pirouettes to the tombstone For a final rest Surrounded but alone There is never a good time For the sun to set Five hallelujahs Th repentance I needed For my future sins
Jay Castello August 15, 2022 sickle moon growing over rows of summer wheat soon for the harvest fresh spring flowers left at ancient raised stone circle old celebration
Susan Schwartz Twiggs August 15, 2022 Dark clouds portend rain S-shaped snake speeds toward shore Spots our shadow, dives. Standing mounds of white Deck posts sport bishop’s mitre Squirrels await cracked corn. Flashing lights caution. Northwoods diner homeward bound Yield for loping bear.
Angel Strong August 15, 2022 Wanderlust: I have wanderlust, Miss soaring o’er waves and dust, Heart now filled with rust.
Angel Strong August 15, 2022 From Al Gore Temperatures rose, All our leaders? Indisposed. Extinction: It looms.
Ana Luna August 15, 2022 ‘Tis a winter night. You take your last frigid breath. I shall join you soon. The winter breeze blows. The snow flurries flurry down. Snow kisses your nose. Thrust in a new world, Look throughout the autumn night. You are all alone.
Angel Strong August 15, 2022 Snowfall Memory Withered fields flicker, In time with the bonfire’s flare, Wind melts away warmth.
Angel Strong August 15, 2022 Withered fields flicker, In time with the bonfire’s flare, Wind melts away warmth.
Angel August 15, 2022 Apologizes, I wasn’t sure if this had submitted, plus I wanted to fix the formatting.
Angel August 15, 2022 Apologies, I wasn’t sure if this had submitted, plus I wanted to fix the formatting.
Margaret Coats August 15, 2022 Angel, you may have had difficulties because other poets were submitting at the same time. I am going to leave your excess remarks here because I don’t want to risk deleting any poems. Thanks for your contributions!
Ekta Adhikari August 15, 2022 Doomed; being awwed and “loved”, An illusion- belonging to family “behoved”, Enslaving creatures- pleasure to fund.
Luna August 15, 2022 Doomed; being awwed and “loved”, An illusion- belonging to family “behoved”, Enslaving creatures- pleasure to fund.
Ekta August 15, 2022 To heroes- flawed by dimes, Ignored crimes, to build lasting successful regimes, Cruel wars- fueling corrupt grimes.
Kai Tumaneng August 15, 2022 Genesis Unwound Colors tucked inward, withdrawn. Russet clay to dust, earth shaped into urn.
Christina Garofalo Bonifacio August 15, 2022 SEASONS Come wander the dark Won’t you stay ‘til sun, my spring Promise never dies. BROOKLYN A string of tealights on a seascape, as each wave rolls safely to shore. RADICALS To seek salvation is to harvest the desert. Dry earth cannot grow.
Bentley Brock August 15, 2022 July sun steals sweat As the pine casket lowers— Cicadas sing on. Warm nights ring out, Insects calling to themselves Incessant chorus. Secrets long buried Beneath the rushing river Now breathe summer air
Coleen P Kenny August 15, 2022 I’m not a judge but I love all three. Especially the first. Funeral on a 90 degree day last week; you captured it.
Jennifer Boulette August 15, 2022 What lies beneath Above the water Stillness, below feet frantic Or maybe at peace Nuts Grief, in a nutshell Consumes my insides and outs Pervasive shading Ego Hi, could you watch me String seventeen syllables In gloried measure?
Jane Cartier August 15, 2022 drip, drip, drip the water pools in the dirt, not the grass just wait for the sun
Jane Cartier August 15, 2022 not one green leaf left the reds and yellows turn brown the tree is naked
Mandy August 15, 2022 A sudden spring wind exhales pink cherry blossoms I look up and smile. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The grey, pewter sky reveals present location Southeast Alaska
Brigit Truex August 15, 2022 Tiny yellow gears scattered on summer lawns raise and lower sun. Out-of-season snow. Flame-red tulips sizzle, hiss. Ashes cover my path. Some scribe a poem in the key of wind, of sand. Some, no font at all.
Sakari Happonen August 15, 2022 feathery green leaves seasonal vegetables rabbit’s midnight snack an ant approaches droplet hanging on a cane bends it just enough behind the sand road field ablaze with wildflowers lovely with bare feet
Stuart Jay Silverman August 15, 2022 a patch of clover stars deepen the green where two elderly trees nod the jungle floor yawns wakes to drizzles a heated cloud shakes from its hair a bucket of sap lighted by the harvest moon a touch heavier
Oluwafemi Makanjuola. August 15, 2022 A cold blue waterloo Cry me a river of blood From wailing waters.
Ally August 15, 2022 The sun stuns us still Bird beaks agape silent scream Living, just about Tilapia gasp The skin of the river breaks They have left their nests Air dense with water Begging for the storm to break Baking pavements wait
john calvert August 15, 2022 thAree of my haiku for your competition. Apologies for being so “last minute”… Soft unseen sound Green August apples fall to Squirrels tiny hands Drink up the blue sky I clear the spoils of evening From last nights table Watching her drift by In changing summer colours Blossoming laughter John Calvert 2022
Florin C. Ciobica August 15, 2022 departing summer… a refugee girl changes the clothes of her doll * lilacs in full bloom… the silence before the storm changing its color * cherry trees in bloom… my grandma puts on again her old wedding dress
Liz EV Bistrianu August 15, 2022 Dust of sheer hotness, Bitter the trace you left in: Could have been my dream
Jack DesBois August 15, 2022 The Swiss chard wilts, scorched. Needs it more or less water? More prayer, or less?
Sharon O August 15, 2022 When you stare into the abyss, what do you see? Now look more closely. All that is alive will be dead, a fact of life. None is immortal. My heart is burning to ash, to be flown by the wind to the ocean.
Sam Milanese August 15, 2022 I sing to the sun Summer breeze bends my body— Am I scarecrow or flower?
Nona Ward August 15, 2022 1 “the thrill of de-feet Doctor Scholl is hero mine to walk without ouch!” 2 “good intentions train derailed by as-soon-as tomorrow new start” 3 “haiku you demand I might need to hai your ku syllables scare me!”
Urszula Marciniak August 15, 2022 a hot summer night only a slice of the moon for my refreshment the sun almost down only goldenrod flowers between you and me loud shots in the fall the stork flies over Ukraine on a different route
Jacob August 15, 2022 Chin-up chirps eat, hot wind is like worms; down the warmth mother couldn’t feed. Leaves fall on rooftops— tap-dance’s eat sounds; hear death hush silence too loud. Bats hang from dead pines— wood mirrors the sun until eyes replace candles.
Sam Milanese August 15, 2022 The smell of fresh grass Mass murder, beheading blades Drown the screams with “beauty”
Lawrence Mark Lesser August 15, 2022 Chai-ku The Hebrew word chai: multiples for charity changing the decree Hanukiah Haiku Eight same-height candles lit by one that’s out of line: Inequality? Passover Hangover when the fourth cup made Bubbe fail the matzobriety test
Sam Milanese August 15, 2022 Words strike like bullets Springtime flower, your dreams fly But your body fails
Diamante Maldonado August 15, 2022 On Resting: There are butterflies, sipping sugar water drops, in spring’s balmy breeze.
Eavonka Ettinger August 15, 2022 1. even the gull knows flying against the wind is not how to get home 2. puppy is planting bones in the autumn garden weary worms rejoice
Sherri Armel Cox August 15, 2022 Texas Home Cool evening lone star Shivers in an endless sky Guiding the way home
Edward Cody Huddleston August 15, 2022 footprints in the snow fresh ink on winter’s canvas shows me where to go
Alisha Chobe August 15, 2022 Sunshine and dew mixed with the honey of a love— tastes sweet like your skin. Beaut in brevity, like the soft words breathed while I lay in your warm arms.
Sherri Armel Cox August 15, 2022 Secret moon so shy Gentle crescent soft shimmer Caress sleeping grass
Sherri Armel Cox August 15, 2022 Aloha Tropical island Frangipani enticed scent Love whispers in breeze
Miera R August 15, 2022 ravenous red flames devour ancient forests— a doe calls her fawns ~~~ the sun’s golden sword frees spring from winter’s stronghold— shy blossoms emerge ~~~ birds twitter bees hum blackbirds robins wrens chorus —a springtime orchestra
Yash Batra August 15, 2022 The crisp chills now wane Fresh blooms, outside and within Transform: into you Heavy monsoon rains meet the asphalt laid with hopes with the steam, they rise Cumulous clouds part as golden nectar cascades down their luscious curves
Joanna Liu August 15, 2022 Dead Alcoves In the freshly charred snow, A twisted dove flapped about, Waiting for spring love. Dead Flowers Lips shrink from stem’s bone, Drop themselves through dirt and stone, Hopeful to rise again. Dead Poets For this woven word, they leave these pages unbidden unwritten, smoked stars.
Sara Naghavi August 15, 2022 My desires are mocked I’m Sisyphus without crime Here I’ll climb this rock Burnt from my limbo I paid my dues in torment Shadowed from the plan I’ve had stagnant say Pay me in life’s full beauty Young but deserving
