SEA SHELL GAME #  60
A quickie judged by Jane Reichhold
February 20, 2009

This, the sixtieth running of this contest, will deviate a bit from the normal method. In doing most of the previous 59 contests, I tried to use the contest, as Basho did in his time, to demonstrate how to write a haiku. I have heard from many haiku writers saying how helpful those comments were. However, people still send their poems to the contest, an act for which I am grateful, without having, it seems, read any of the previous comments.
I am puzzled by this. Does this mean they are not interested in learning all I have to say? Does it mean they have such faith in what and how they write a haiku that they believe their poem could win if it only was entered into a contest? Are they only interested in winning?
I could easily do a lot more judging of these contests if I did not have to pick a day when my brain was working and not filled with other writing projects that have sucked off all my sense. Maybe I have been trying to do too much?  Such questions are swarming in my head as I decide simply to do a quickie contest. I will match the verses until one remains standing without explaining how or why I have made my decisions. \o/ Jane

ROUND ONE

1.
on blossoms at dusk
droplets grow round with light
after rains, the moon

2.
Grey streak in her hair
september sunlight signals
the end of summer
 ________________
The winner of this match is: #1

3.
nintendo "star wars"
sponge bob slippers jumping
boy saves universe

4.
Yesterday's dawn pulls
white blankets from lake's depths
smoke under crystal sky
 ________________
The winner of this match is: #4

5.

twinkling in the night
above a vacant lot
fireflies

6.

below zero
a scent of brandy
in the tow truck

 ________________
The winner of this match is: #6

7.

I am musty beneath the land
Trusting awake, in the vigil shade
You reached for the forlorn past

8.

dying summer day
sky, lake gleaming one last time
red like lips or blood
 ________________
The winner of this match is: #8

9.

Under shade of trees
light appears at last in view
beauty lies untouched.

10.

Winter lake
only my eyes
disturb the view
 ________________
The winner of this match is: #10

11.
the sun rises
greeting the newborn
a bright smile

12.
Swan, hissing out a warning.
Cygnets, all tense, scared of impending danger.
Hungry Fox, lying close by

 ________________
The winner of this match is: #11

13.
squawk all day
talk all night
a bird’s finale goodbye.

14.
This morning, too -
Winter birdfeeder
without patrons.

 ________________
The winner of this match is: #14

15.

baby's breath
the rise and fall
of pink petals

16.

Cat sits
laptop whirring
nice warm bed
________________
The winner of this match is: #15

ROUND TWO

1.
on blossoms at dusk
droplets grow round with light
after rains, the moon

4.
Yesterday's dawn pulls
white blankets from lake's depths
smoke under crystal sky

 ________________
The winner of this match is: #1

6.
below zero
a scent of brandy
in the tow truck

8.
dying summer day
sky, lake gleaming one last time
red like lips or blood
 ________________
The winner of this match is:  #6

10.
Winter lake
only my eyes
disturb the view

11.
the sun rises
greeting the newborn
a bright smile
 ________________
The winner of this match is: #11

14.
This morning, too -
Winter birdfeeder
without patrons.

15.
baby's breath
the rise and fall
of pink petals
 ________________
The winner of this match is: #15

ROUND THREE

1.
on blossoms at dusk
droplets grow round with light
after rains, the moon

6.
below zero
a scent of brandy
in the tow truck

 ________________
The winner of this match is: #6

11.
the sun rises
greeting the newborn
a bright smile

15.
baby's breath
the rise and fall
of pink petals

 ________________
The winner of this match is: #15

ROUND FOUR

6.
below zero
a scent of brandy
in the tow truck

15.
baby's breath
the rise and fall
of pink petals

________________
The winner of this match is: a tie. Both are excellent haiku and yet they are very different in subject. Congratulations to each of you. If you send me an email with your postal address, your prize – a book – will go into the mail. Thanks for doing such good work and thanks for sharing it in this endeavor.

6.
below zero
a scent of brandy
in the tow truck

            by larry wilmarth

15.
baby's breath
the rise and fall
of pink petals

            by Jill Stanley