Contest Comments by David McMurray

The number of contest entries keeps increasing, reaching a record 4,181 by this 9th round. 1,748 contestants wrote in English, including 1,206 haiku for organizer-supplied photos and 542 haiku with original photos about the sea. The “sea” theme was revealed through words and images of fish, waves, ports, boats, coastal bus tours, and even torpedo-shaped sweets. Proving its international acceptance as a new literary genre, photo-haiku submitted in English has soared in number and quality since its introduction at the 6th contest. Entries from young Chinese writers surged, and Vietnamese, Singaporean, Nepalese, and South Africans debuted in the competition that now attracts haiku from 47 countries.

Award for Excellence

FinlandHarri Mannonen

hometown by the sea
gray as fall I’m still standing
drifting back to thee

Comment from the Judge: David McMurray

Flowing words emulate the flowing late autumn fog in the photo. Perhaps having worked abroad for many years, the gray-haired haikuist slowly gets used to the idea that it’s time to sail back to where he was born while he’s still alive. The 5-7-5 syllable form with a rhyme mirrored a rhythmic rolling sea and embellished the idea of returning. The archaic form of you, as a final word, anchored the poet’s love for home.

Award for Excellence

CanadaDiane Descoteaux

with every breath
it’s moving in the oven -
wildberry pudding

Comment from the Judge: David McMurray

A kitchen-window view of the gentle spring sea framed by a branch of wild berries was rendered even more appetizing with words. The perfectly-placed 5-7-5 syllables created an imagined view through an oven-window at a gently rising and falling homemade sweet. The photo-haikuist combined all the best ingredients to make a smooth flowing delicious treat worthy of an award for excellence.