Welcome to the fifth haiku contest!
Yes, once more. Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more. I've decided I have time enough to try holding this contest once again. Let's see how it goes.
The theme this time around is born again. I know that is an odd theme with autumn right around the corner (then again, it fits well with the coming spring on the bottom half of the world) but it fits with restarting things, things like this contest.
Take that theme and run with it. Give me a great haiku using it. Also keep in mind that haiku traditionally reflect the current season in some way. In Japan right now that would be summer, but your current season may be different depending on where in the world you are.
(please read carefully)
Upvote and Resteem this post. The upvote is to give me enough funds to pay the winners, and the resteem is to spread the word to draw more people in.
Write a haiku.
You may include a title or a headnote. A headnote is a short bit of text that sets the scene for the haiku. Some haiku poets use them (Basho and Shiki did) and some don't. You may also include a photo if you want.
No syllable requirement, just keep it short. Aim for one breath. You can read my thoughts on syllable counts in English haiku here.
In addition to the theme for this contest, it should have some kind of reference to nature and have a juxtaposition of images. I write should not must. If you think your haiku is strong enough to do without, go for it. I am not stuck in tradition and I welcome new creative ideas.
Consider this quote from Jack Kerouac:
[A] Haiku must be very simple and free of all poetic trickery and make a little picture and yet be as airy and graceful as a Vivaldi Pastorella.
Have at it!
(Psst—If you are stuck for ideas, go read some of the translated haiku in my Haiku of Japan series. Here is an index of the first 100 translations.
I encourage you to tell your friends on Discord or steemit chat. The more people we can get involved here, the more fun we can have. It makes it tougher for me to judge, but I consider that a good problem to have.
Here is a haiku I used in the article referenced above.
evening
snow beating down
my son is snoring
You can see I give a nod to the season, and there is also a shift in the action as we move from the scene (lines 1 and 2) to my son.
This one, a classic from Buson:
on the temple bell
sleeping
a butterfly
You can read more about that haiku here.
And here is one of my favorites from Jack Kerouac:
No telegram today
only more leaves
fell.
Contest will go for 7 days, so that means the final day you can submit is next Sunday the 9th (Japan time).
No sponsor this time so prizes will be a little different.
Also, if this post exceeds $6 in upvotes, I will sponsor all three winners for 1 share of 
I will be the sole judge but I may consult with some others to get their opinions.
Have fun!
Calling all previous contestants.
| David LaSpina is an American photographer lost in Japan, trying to capture the beauty of this country one photo at a time. More? |
