Author: Lynette Arden

The Australian Haiku Society will be holding a Haiga Kukai for the Summer Solstice occurring this year in Australia on the 21st December. Once again Ron Moss has generously provided two images (Seasonal and Non-seasonal) which will be displayed on the AHS website from the 21st to the 28th of December and poets will be invited to submit one previously unpublished haiku inspired by each image. Ron will then select the winning haiku which will be displayed on the AHS website.

Please note that if more than one haiku per image is submitted by any individual, only the first haiku sent will be considered.

Submissions will only be accepted if entered in the comments section, which can be found at the bottom of the post.

By entering the competition, entrants agree to make their haiku available for use on the AHS website, although copyright will remain with the author.

No correspondence will be entered into regarding winning entries.

Please make sure that your name appears on your entry as you would like to see it on the website.

1^st Place

 

winter afternoon
draining the shadows
from a teacup

Gail Oare

 

This haiku presented itself as a solid winner from the first time I read it and it continues to resonate with each reading. Like all good haiku, one that stays with you and reveals successive layers, this is truly a classic moment. The scene is set on the first line and the connection with the shadows and cup in the image gives us the marvellous second line draining the shadows. This evokes for me what the late Martin Lucas, the fine English poet and editor, described as a “poetic spell,” — a special essence. This haiku works beautifully with the image to raise both the elements of art and words, together creating something greater. Continue reading “Results: AHS Winter Haiga Kukai 2020 Non-Seasonal”

1^st Place

shortest day—
the robin and I sing
a little longer

Corine Timmer

 

This one was a clear winner for me with a lot going on in just a few words. The robin is the main feature of the image but the sounds we cannot hear are told in the haiku with fine suggestive detail. We have the contrast between the shortest day and a little longer; this sets the scene for a landscape of emotional suggestion. The poet creates a lovely deep connection between the robin and the witness. So much so that you can see there’s no separation between the two. Wouldn’t we all love to sing a little longer and to be fully present and alive in the world? Continue reading “Results AHS Winter Haiga Kukai 2020 Seasonal”