5th Annual Poets' Choice Kukai Dear Haiku Friends, Thank you for making a success out of our annual Poets' Choice kukai. Although voter turnout was lower, many included comments and for that we are grateful! First Place winners of the Fifth Annual Kukai will receive a subscription for Volume IX of The Herons Nest expected out in April, 2008. Second Place winners will receive a copy of the 5th edition of A New Resonance: Emerging Voices in English-Language Haiku edited by Jim Kacian and Dee Evetts, Red Moon Press. Third Place winners will receive a copy of the latest Acorn or Bottle Rockets. You'll be contacted for arrangements. We feel fortunate to be able to present these awards and hope all of you have visited their web sites: Acorn -- http://home.earthlink.net/~missias/Acorn.html Bottle Rockets -- http://www.geocities.com/bottlerockets_99/index.html Red Moon Press -- http://redmoonpress.com/index.html The Heron's Nest --http://www.theheronsnest.com/ We will be contacting all the winners no later than November 1. Remember as you look at the votes below that EACH of these poems has already been declared a winner during the past year. Congratulations again to all of them!! NOTE: An entry was pulled at the author's request. Congratulations to Ron Moss, winner of our Kigo section and to Kala Ramesh, winner of our Free Format section! VOTE COUNT EXAMPLE: (0,2,7) = 11 THIS MEANS: No voter gave 3 points, 2 voters gave 2 points, 7 voters gave 1 point = for a total of 11 points. 5th Annual Poets' Choice Kukai Results Kigo Poems Free Format Poems First Place -- 37 pts starry night . . . what's left of my life is enough ron moss (5,7,8) = 37 pts A wonder-full sense of melancholy and satisfaction. An effective use of personal statement set against the broad expanse of a starry night sky. A very open haiku that takes our eyes heavenward and then back to complete agreement with the poet. This is what haiku is all about to me; the fact that on any certain moment one can be suffused with the feeling that right now, this moment is all I need. There is the sense of connection and complete fulfillment. The warm and satisfied immediacy of this realization contrasts with the cold distance of the stars. This one stood out for me among all the entries during the past year, and I have often returned to it in thought. This is just how I feel in a beautiful summer night. I will quote this again and again. Thank you for putting it in words. A Zen-like moment of appreciation and acceptance. It is tough to get philosophical in a haiku, this is well done, subtle and effective! When something is too beautiful for words, I'll remember this haiku. Second Place -- 28 pts spring dusk — the earth's fragrance after the plow Mary Lee McClure (2,2,18) = 28 pts My farmer father used to say he could pour cream on it and eat it. It’s always nice to see the sense of smell used, the word fragrance is a great choice because it tells us so much about this rich soil. Third Place -- 27 pts crocus . . . the balloon-man returns to the park Carol Raisfeld (1/6/12) = 27 pts The allusion to e.e. cummings' 'balloon man', whether intended by the poet or not, makes this poem more enjoyable for me. Beautiful imagery! I love the shape of the crocus/balloon, the start of a new season, the bright purples and yellows, not mentioned, but implied. Fifth Place -- 26 pts spring wind — the moon slips by the open door hortensia anderson (1,3,17) = 26 pts I see the season, the wind, the moon, and time itself slipping past, but sense the narrator's enjoyment of every moment. Fifth Place -- 24 pts blizzard the barber's attention not all mine Bill Hudson (2,3,12) = 24 pts Does it snow in Seville? The forced wonder at what the barber is thinking is marvelous. A haiku that makes me a bit nervous, hoping that the person in the chair doesn't lose anything more than hair! Sixth Place -- 20 pts dandelion fluff a new mother caresses her baby's head Carmel Lively Westerman (1,4,9) = 20 pts I can feel and see these images beautifully, based in reality, very tender comparison. Seventh Place -- 19 pts summer's end the morning glories enter the mailbox RaV (1,5,6) = 19 pts I enjoyed the juxtaposition of summers end against the unchecked growth of the morning glory. The mood of this moment provides various interpretations that would depend on how one felt about the end of summer. Despite the fact it portrays the end of a season, there is something liberating about the morning glory finally reaching the top of the mailbox. Or, perhaps it's a lonely feeling. Perhaps the mail box has been empty all summer with no one to open it allowing the morning glory free reign; a focused image that allows the reader to fill in the blanks. taking the combs out of her hair Spring wind carol bleichert (1,4,8) = 19 pts Sensual, maybe she also feels some sap rising. Eighth Place -- 18 pts blizzard . . . the garden Buddha's enduring smile Nancy Smith (1,4,7) = 18 pts This gives me such a serene haiku moment, thank you...I'd give more points if possible! Ninth Place -- 17 pts morning glories in the chain link fence an inmate's finger Josh Wikoff (2,3,5) = 17 pts I love its ambiguity. If the key element of good haiku is the juxtaposition of the two images, then this one does a great job by contrasting of the soft beauty of flowers against the harsh chain link. An inmate’s finger is a great line because it lets the imagination fill in the details of this inmate: male or female? Clutching the fence or trying to touch the flowers? Or beckoning you to come closer? Tenth Place -- 16 pts father's day — teaching him to walk again sanjukta (0,5,6) = 16 pts In seven words, a lifetime of relationship. Eleventh Place -- 14 pts a dew drop full of autumn light Helge Torvund (1,2,7) = 14 pts sharing my plan to travel the world - dandelion Cherie Hunter Day (0,2,10) = 14 pts Lovely...lofty. I like this one about the ambitious dandelion, a note of humor. Twelfth Place -- 13 pts spring dusk she would have stopped here to smell the lilac RaV (0,3,7) = 13 pts flea haiku ~ I scratch my head Paul Hodder (0,5,3) = 13 pts autumn light — the smell of tomato vines on my fingers DeVar (0,1,11) = 13 pts A breathtaking moment of oneness...a twin to the haiku of "earth's fragrance after the plow". Thirteen Place -- 12 pts first crocus I make a promise I can't keep Tom Painting (1,3,3) = 12 pts starry night the fox's eyes in the headlights Polona (0,4,4) = 12 pts counting the ways I could have said goodbye ~ starry night Paul Hodder (0,3,6) = 12 pts starry night . . . hot popcorn in white paper cups Carol Raisfeld (0,2,8) = 12 pts All five senses in this neat little sketch from nature. A very sensual haiku: seeing stars, feel the heat of the popcorn through the paper, the smell of butter and salt, but it lets the reader fill in the location, perhaps a country fair or the drive-in. Fourteenth Place -- 11 pts Father's Day — fresh forget-me-nots on a soldier's grave Zhanna P. Rader (0,3,5) = 11 pts either side of the privacy fence dandelions tom painting (0,3,5) = 11 pts Wonderfully understated! I am always in awe of a haiku that allows me to finish the thought myself. I envy the freedom of that healthy weed that has no need for privacy fences and in fact, seeds itself despite them. Fifteenth Place -- 10 pts starry night . . . she adds another name to the family tree Francine Banwarth (1,0,7) = 10 pts sand fleas the bites don't stop at her tan line Susan Constable (0,3,4) = 10 pts Great sense of humor and predicament. spring wind I catch . . . my hat Collin Barber (0,2,6) = 10 pts new neighbors — blue morning glories in the weed pile Laurene (0,1,8) = 10 pts autumn light ... squeak of an empty swing in the breeze Boris Nazansky ((0,1,8) = 10 pts Sixteenth Place -- 8 pts Father's Day... a cigar band on her doll's ponytail Scott Mason (0,0,8) = 8 pts Nicely indirect way to comment on his day. Seventeenth Place -- 6 pts taking a bow in the late autumn light sunflowers Karen Briggs (0,0,6) = 6 pts Eighteenth Place -- 5 pts the hair between the cat's toes autumn light ---Autumn Moon (1,1,0) = 5 pts autumn light — the onyx heron turn to amber -- Karen Cesar (1,0,2) = 5 pts flea market the bargainer stops to scratch his head jul (0,1,3) = 5 pts starry night breathing deeper and deeper Grzegorz Sionkowski (0,1,3) = 5 pts crocus in grandmother's hand spring again Dany Fisher (0,0,5) = 5 pts A mixture of show and tell that puts, for me, the light and sparkle of memory on to the face. Father's Day without him . . . half-moon w. f. owen (0,0,5) = 5 pts Nineteenth Place -- 2 pts spring dusk scratching the first mosquito bite Bill Hudson ((0,0,2) = 2 pts Twentieth Place -- no points blizzard . . . in the knitted throw the scent of Mom Alice Frampton GENERAL COMMENTS: A great crop and a hard choice! Such a great selection of haiku made voting extremely difficult. I think they're ALL winners! These are certainly worth a second look. First Place -- 36 pts mountain bridge — I pass through the clouds Kala Ramesh (4,5,14) = 36 pts A haiku I have remembered since it first appeared. An example that I try to aspire to. Second Place -- 23 pts dawn in every direction birdsong Bridget Cougar (2,6,5) = 23 pts It takes me there. Such a potent scene, five words and I am there with the writer, beautiful. Beautifully depicted in perfectly simple words. I'm right there. Third Place -- 22 pts old dog up the stairs in my arms Roberta Beary (1,5,9) = 22 pts Fourth Place -- 20 pts bird song the motionless shadow of the cat Petar Tchouhov (2,5,4) = 20 pts long weekend. the gardener cultivates his shadow Nancy Smith (0,3,14) = 20 pts An evocative juxtaposition between 'long' weekend and 'cultivates his shadow'. There is the sense of time stretching out, shadows stretching out, until one can not escape one's own shadow. Nice play on the visual image of how he stands with his shadow. In reading this haiku, I hope that both gardener and garden will continue to grow and flourish. Fifth Place -- 19 pts bedtime the book she knows by heart tom painting (2,1,11) = 19 pts I just love this one. bedtime — a yawn travels around the room Zhanna P. Rader (1,4,8) = 19 pts Ah-h-h-h-h-h, yes. I'll never watch a traveling yawn again without remembering this! Sixth Place -- 17 pts his guide dog bolts from room to room - funeral day Mary Davila (0,4,9) = 17 pts dreary day — only a gravedigger whistling Jacek (0,3,11) = 17 pts It is the word "only" that does it! A fine image. How can something so sad be so lovely? Seventh Place -- 16 pts packing . unpacking . weekends with dad Nancy Nitrio (2,1,8) = 16 pts home run ~ my two year old cheers the wrong team Paul Hodder (1,3,7) = 16 pts This clearly goes to show how judgmental adults can be and with time, we only get worse!!!! Eighth Place -- 15 pts white breath nothing between it & the moon Ann K. Schwader (2,2,5) = 15 pts Ninth Place -- 14 pts fifteen below a man with ski mask enters the bank Richmond Williams (2,2,4) = 14 pts A classic senryu with a nice touch of visual humour. jazz festival . . . the glint of a sax at sunset Carol Raisfeld (1,3,5) = 14 pts after a storm the rainbow bending over what's left Bill Kenney (1,2,7) = 14 pts A different rainbow, often reduced to the cliché warm fuzzy feeling, here the rainbow looks down, almost personified, over the devastation that follows a storm. Very effective! icy mustache the last rusty lug nut begins to turn Edward (0,3,8) = 14 pts Oh yes, THE moment captured as sharply as the frigid breath. A great image of having a flat tire in winter weather. My fingers and toes almost feel cold while reading this. Tenth Place -- 13 pts autumn stillness — rainbow trout bump my waders John Healey (1,2,6) = 13 pts old man on the bridge — his still face in the flowing water Gosia Zamorska (1,2,6) = 13 pts Another fabulous juxtaposition. The first line opens with a broad image of a bridge with an old man looking over the edge then zeros in to focus on the reflection of his face. I find it poignant when I realize this man's approaching the end of life, yet the river keeps flowing, flowing, flowing. A profound haiku. A touching haiku with so much implied by the images: flowing water as the unstoppable river of time; bridges we all cross as old age approaches; the still face could be deep thought, a touch of melancholy day-dreaming or perhaps an acceptance of time/death. All Souls' Day I open my father's black umbrella Petar Tchouhov (0,5,3) = 13 pts This has haunted me since the first time I read it. It has, on second view, lost none of its power. Eleventh Place -- 12 pts bedtime: even the moon snuggles under a cloud --Karen Cesar (1,1,7) = 12 pts Will there be no end to beautiful haiku on the moon?! hanging bridge... only the stars from side to side Dorota Pyra (1,2,5) = 12 pts Twelfth Place -- 11 pts dusty seashell the words he whispered in my ear Polona (1,1,6) = 11 pts This makes me think of the shape of the ear and the seashell, and how we hold onto memories. the arc of his line at sunrise rainbow trout Susan Constable (1,1,6) = 11 pts double rainbow her second wish a small one --Irene Golas (1,1,6) = 11 pts I am completely captivated by the human aspect of this haiku. It's as if the wisher is afraid to spoil things by asking for too much, so she makes one big wish, then thinks maybe a double rainbow allows for another one. She doesn't tempt fate though, and chooses a small wish. I like the sense of humbleness to this haiku and of course it opens with a broad vivid image of the double rainbow. Thirteenth Place -- 10 pts rainbow's end. . . the trawler's gillnet drawn tight Carole MacRury (1,1,5) = 10 pts bedtime — she asks if her doll can stay awake a little longer Kala Ramesh (0,2,6) = 10 pts Fourteenth Place -- 9 pts old songbook the faint stain of whisky on a farewell song Keiko (0,1,7) = 9 pts Fifteenth Place -- 8 pts narrow bridge ~ the distance between us Paul Hodder (0,3,2) = 8 pts This one speaks volumes, yet still provides an interesting setting of the narrow bridge and the two people on it who seem unable to bridge their differences. Wonderful juxtaposition. hazy moon — a love song lost to static Collin Barber (0,2,4) = 8 pts gran's handwriting I email my daughter her recipe -- ushi (0,1,6) = 8 pts dreary day . . . he tells me all of it again Francine Banwarth (0,0,8) = 8 pts Perhaps not only bad news being told, but also a statement about the narrator's mind. Dealing with dementia is difficult; the repetition of bad news even worse. Sixteenth Place -- 7 pts the sweeping arch of the pitcher's curve summer solstice tom painting (0,2,3) = 7 pts Seventeenth Place -- 6 pts sudden downpour bleeding on a concrete sky the chalk rainbow Laura Orabone (0,0,6) = 6 pts Eighteenth Place -- 5 pts dreary morning... the taste and texture of powdered eggs ed markowski (0,0,5) = 5 pts Nineteenth Place -- 3 pts bedtime . . . a half-moon cradles the crow's nest sheila windsor (0,1,1) = 3 pts bedtime the cat already sprawled where my feet should go Beverley George (0,1,1) = 3 pts Twentieth Place -- 2 pts the Yankees lost — his hesitation to answer the phone Audrey Downey (0,1,0) = 2 pts GENERAL COMMENTS: How to choose when they are all so excellent!! It is so enjoyable reading these haiku again, thank you for this wonderful idea! Thanks to all of you for participating throughout the year. We appreciate it. Please look for the release of the next Call for Submissions on or about Monday, November 5th. With much appreciation, Robert and Jennie, co-secretaries. Gary Warner, web host. Participate in the Shiki Monthly Kukai by choosing a link below How it Works Most Recent Results Current Kukai Topics Kukai Archives An explanation of how the kukai functions. The results of our most recent month! Click here to learn about THIS month's kukai. Previous month's results.