Category: Haiga Kukai

Prior Announcement: AHS Spring Haiga Kukai 2021

The Australian Haiku Society will be holding a Haiga Kukai for the Spring Equinox occurring this year in Australia on the 23rd September. Once again Ron Moss has generously provided two images (Seasonal and Non-seasonal) which will be displayed on the AHS website from the 23rd  to the 30th of September and poets will be invited to submit one previously unpublished haiku inspired by each image.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.

Continue reading “Prior Announcement: AHS Spring Haiga Kukai 2021”

Results: AHS Summer Solstice Haiga Kukai 2020 Non-Seasonal

Judge’s Comments

I have judged the kukai for a number of years now and I’m always honoured to read and savour the many fine poems that are inspired by the images. The winner’s list is always well-considered and I’m pleased to say there are always haiku and senryu that present as special and worthy of particular attention. Thank you one and all for submitting your fine work once again. I would like to award and comment on many more if it were possible. I hope you enjoy these selections and the inspiration and commentary I have found in them.

Ron C. Moss

1st Place

the toddler‘s
first attempt to stand —
guiding light

Michael Smeer

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The top three places in this section each have their own finely crafted connections told in different ways and it was difficult to separate them. My final choice for 1st Place is an image that is created with a light but emotional touch of a child’s first moment starting out on their own two feet. There is a most effective and fitting use of link and shift here – in the image of the lighthouse and the poet’s words. We are all on a journey of discovery and hope and the guiding lights help to make us who we are. There comes a time in own journey through life, with all its ups and downs, where hopefully we are able to guide others. I commend Michael for giving us a moment of reflection and deep appreciation. I am reminded of the saying, fall down six times, get up seven – how very true and encouraging for us all.

Continue reading “Results: AHS Summer Solstice Haiga Kukai 2020 Non-Seasonal”

Results: AHS Summer Solstice Haiga Kukai 2020 Seasonal

Judge’s Comments

I have judged the kukai for a number of years now and I’m always honoured to read and savour the many fine poems that are inspired by the images. The winner’s list is always well-considered and I’m pleased to say there are always haiku and senryu that present as special and worthy of particular attention. Thank you one and all for submitting your fine work once again. I would like to award and comment on many more if it were possible. I hope you enjoy these selections and the inspiration and commentary I have found in them.

Ron C. Moss

1st Place

foreign land…
a refugee child owns
the sandcastle

Hifsa Ashraf

This haiku stood out for me from the very first reading and it resonates deeply with current and historical events. A sense of hope and a new beginning permeates the scene; a childhood game of creating in the sand has a deep feeling of nurturing and strength. A refugee child feels connected and safe in owning the sandcastle, giving him or her a sense of belonging. Poetry can be a powerful tool in generating awareness of the injustices of the world. The simple image of a sandcastle has brought about this wonderful moment of ownership for something treasured and safe. I’m very pleased to award Hifsa 1st Place. May all be safe and free from harm.

Continue reading “Results: AHS Summer Solstice Haiga Kukai 2020 Seasonal”

Australian Haiku Society Summer Solstice Haiga Kukai 2020: Seasonal

Welcome, haiku poets worldwide to the Australian Haiku Society Summer Solstice Haiga Kukai. Entries close on midnight Sunday 28th of December AEST.

You are invited to write a haiku in response to the image.

Enter no more than one haiku per image. Haiku entered should not have been published previously in print or online, including in discussion forums. If you enter more than one haiku per image, only your first haiku will be considered.

Continue reading “Australian Haiku Society Summer Solstice Haiga Kukai 2020: Seasonal”

Australian Haiku Society Summer Solstice Haiga Kukai 2020: Non-Seasonal

Welcome, haiku poets worldwide to the Australian Haiku Society Summer Solstice Haiga Kukai. Entries close on midnight Sunday 28th of December AEST.

You are invited to write a haiku in response to the image.

Enter no more than one haiku per image. Haiku entered should not have been published previously in print or online, including in discussion forums. If you enter more than one haiku per image, only your first haiku will be considered.

Continue reading “Australian Haiku Society Summer Solstice Haiga Kukai 2020: Non-Seasonal”

Prior Notification: AHS Summer Solstice Haiga Kukai 2020

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.

Results: AHS Winter Haiga Kukai 2020 Non-Seasonal

cuppa

1st 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”

Results AHS Winter Haiga Kukai 2020 Seasonal

Scarlet Robinjpg

1st 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”