Taiko drum roll... we're excited to announce the winners of our first ever Haiku Dudes contest. The two top picks will be emailed their gift card today. Thanks to everyone who submitted, and sorry we can't reward you all (if haiku blogging were a lucrative endeavor we would!) We appreciate the participation and will do another contest soon, perhaps in the fall.
Scott's top pick:
As we walked, we felt
hearts which fueled separate pulses
splintering in sync.
-Elizabeth Ewing
Judge's comments: For me a haiku is only successful if it can transport my mind to a
specific season (whether it actually be weather or season of life) or
speak to my heart through the use of something like nostalgia or
emotion. This brought me directly back to those electrifying moments in which my wife and I walked the streets of Chicago, falling in love the whole
time. Those moments when you say so much without saying anything at all.
Its a beautiful moment, captured, I think, perfectly in this haiku. I
love the phrase "splintering in sync." It's almost unexplainable but
completely understandable if you've experienced it yourself.
Andy's top pick:
parked on backwoods road –
a six-pack and basho's frog
keep me company
-Lee Beasley
Judge's comment: Well, I'm not usually one for name dropping, but I couldn't resist the nod to Basho and his famous frog haiku in this entry. Aside from that, this haiku put me in mind of my Georgia boyhood with good-natured, six-pack sipping uncles in the backwoods. It also reminded me of the time honored tradition of mixing a good brew with contemplation (Trappist beer anyone?)
Honorable mention:
We hadn't planned on an honorable mention, but being both dog owners, we couldn't help but identify with this one.
my silly bulldog
acting like he needs to pee,
outside he just sits. -Cyndi Delia
