Broadsided Press is running a contest for their annual Haiku Year-in-Review broadside (deadline: January 10). Although in general I find “traditional” 17-syllable haiku too wordy these days, it wasn’t a bad fit for political haiku where proper names typically need to be included to set the scene. Inducements to enter included the challenge of writing about politics in the most concrete of poetry forms, and the chance to experiment with kigo-like references to the seasons (since the poster will include one haiku for each season). Their guidelines suggest that we
Think about this past year and the events that have dominated a given season. Write a haiku that captures a moment that illuminates such an event. Below are some suggestions to get you thinking. Your haiku should embrace the tradition of the form and be evocative, not didactic.
Since the mode of submission is by tagging with #HYIR on Twitter, my entries are already public and can be shared here.
.@broadsidedpress #HYIR #Winter
Circassian coast—
bloodstain on the fresh concrete
where a dog was shot— Dave Bonta (@morningporch) January 9, 2015
.@broadsidedpress #HYIR #Spring
Narendra Modi
alone in the polling booth
with all the others— Dave Bonta (@morningporch) January 9, 2015
.@broadsidedpress #HYIR #Summer
Waziristani
children fear a clear blue sky,
the buzzing of bees— Dave Bonta (@morningporch) January 9, 2015
.@broadsidedpress #HYIR #Fall
the War on Christmas—
a Seasons Greetings banner
behind riot cops— Dave Bonta (@morningporch) January 9, 2015
I was kind of proud of that ironic twist on Fox News’ Christian persecution fantasy there. In the first one, “Circassian coast” is an allusion to the people who used to live where Sochi is now, victims of a 19th-century expulsion and genocide.
Browse other submissions here. And submit your own!