HAIKU POETRY CONTEST
Haiku is a succinct non-rhyming non-titled poem arranged in three lines of fewer than seventeen syllables. In Japanese a typical haiku has seventeen "sounds" (on) arranged five, seven, five. However, translators of Japanese poetry have noted that about twelve syllables in English approximate the duration of seventeen Japanese (on).
Traditional Japanese haiku include a "season word" (kigo), a word or phrase that helps identify the season of the experience recorded in the haiku, and a "cutting word" (kireji), a sort of spoken punctuation that marks a pause or gives emphasis to one part of the haiku. In English, season words are sometimes omitted, but the original focus on a seasonal experience captured in clear images continues.
The most common technique is juxtaposing two images or ideas (Japanese rensô). Punctuation, or a grammatical break may substitute for the cutting word.
Submission Period: February 3, 2020 through March 31, 2020 only
Prizes:
First Prize:
$100 plus a book
Second Prize:
$50 plus a book
Third Prize:
$25 plus a book
Two honorable mentions
receive books.
All prize winners will receive a certificate.
Theme:
Write a haiku inspired by this outstanding Japanese viewing stone. Please use the entry form at the link below.
Eligibility:
Open to the public worldwide, no entry fee.
Criteria:
The haiku must be original, not posted Online or in print. Each poem should be three lines (in English) with no specific syllable count, just a song-like haiku rhythm of short, long, short. The haiku must relate to this viewing stone or what the viewer sees in this stone.
Submissions:
February 3, 2020 through March 31, 2020 only. Each person can submit up to three poems using the official entry form.
Results:
Only the winners will be notified by email shortly after the deadline. The winning haiku will be published on the VSANA website approximately one month after the close of the contest. All rights revert back to the authors after the posting on the VSANA website. If reprinted later, first-credit should be given to VSANA.
Places and Prizes:
First, Second, Third and two honorable mentions. First Prize receives $100 plus a viewing stone book, Second Prize receives $50 plus a book, Third Prize receives $25 plus a book, and the two honorable mentions receive a book. All prize winners will receive a certificate.
Judging:
This contest will be blind judged; that is, the judge will not know the names of the people submitting entries. The judge’s name and comments will be revealed when the poems are published on the VSANA website.
Questions?
Use our contact form to reach us with your questions.
Examples of Haiku Poetry
transience…
petal by petal
we let go
Debbie Strange,
Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada
leafless tree
lifting a cup of nest
to the sky
Adjei Agyei-Baah,
Ghana West Africa
