Results of the AHS 2024 Spring Solstice Haiga Kukai: Non-Seasonal

The Australian Haiku Society would like to congratulate all the winners and thank everyone who participated in the 2024 Spring Solstice Haiku Kukai. This year’s judge, Olivia Ark, who was also responsible for creating the stunning images for the kukai, was impressed with the quality of the entries, which came in from all parts of the globe.

1st place

after chemo
her new hair
black again

Mirela Brailean, Romania

I was deeply touched by this haiku and the way that one courageous journey met another when you hold the poem and the mountain image side by side. There is a beautiful connection between the dark hair returning and the dark pines growing on the mountainside. To me the pines embody a strength of spirit even in the most difficult of places and this beautiful and affecting haiku truly captured the essence of that. A well deserved first place.

2nd place

just one more
little white lie
slippery slope

Marion Clarke

This is a cleverly constructed, very human senryu that uses a play on words to
great effect. I love the way the ‘white lie’ complements the lightness in the top half of the painting and how ‘slippery slope’ describes the rugged, unstable mountain below. ‘Slippery slope’ not only represents the physical slope of the mountain, but in this case an undesirable end that may occur because of the white lie. The confessional nature of this poem is endearing and the brevity and pun on the end line is excellent. Congratulations on second place.

Highly commended

alpine hike
at last reaching the summit
of instagramability

Louise Hopewell

I love the weight of the first half of this haiku, how it leads us on an epic climb to reach the summit, and how that is then contrasted with the lightness and humour of the journey being completed for the purpose of instagram. A huge effort for something fairly momentary. This is a clever, humorous and memorable haiku that makes me smile every time I think about it.

contemplating
the climb
issa’s snail

marilyn ashbaugh, usa

I was very impressed by the contrast in this senryu – how insurmountable the giant mountain must seem to the tiny snail. There is a gentleness and humour in this poem that is touching, and like all great poems, so much is said in so few words. I enjoyed the way the painting and poem worked together to amplify one another and reinforce their meanings.

in half light
the mountain
– so many stories untold

Margaret Mahony

This haiku is rich in meaning and has a great sense of mystery surrounding it. ‘In half light’ suggests that there is more beneath the surface of the mountain, hiding away in the shadows. Here the dark mountain is symbolic of the many untold stories that have yet to come to light. It is a lovely haiku with an open quality that allows us space to imagine.

– Olivia Ark