The 2023 Haiku Contest Winner

Every year, this small haiku competition receives entries from all over the world. This year was no exception, as we received over 300 entries by mail and an additional 600 online. The idea of having a haiku published on a bar of soap is a unique and appealing element that attracts writers of all skill levels. I believe that the notion of seeing one's writing wash off the body and down the drain is a conceit that very few people will experience over time, but that writers, nonetheless, strive for. It's good, clean fun.
As I do every year, regardless of the quality of the writing, I choose entries that adhere to the theme of the contest. Remember that this year’s theme presented a question: how does nature reflect aging and the cycle of life?
Regardless of the theme, there are always entries that do not address the thematic element, instead focusing on witty connections to soap or to some personal question the writer wishes to explore. Although many of these are entertaining, they ultimately end up in the rejection pile.
Below are my selections for the top 20 poems from this year’s contest. Numbers twenty through eleven are in no particular order of preference and simply reflect my desire to recognize strong attempts to address the theme. Even if they did not win, I enjoyed them. I believe good writing should be recognized, so please read them all.
Numbers ten through one are in a specific order: for adhering to the theme, for using interesting language choices and creative imagery, and for creating a successful emotional turn in the haiku. These are my favorite, in order, with number one being this year’s winner.
I have included the name of each author and their poem. Any titles have been omitted.
Without any further ado, please enjoy these selections from this year’s contest.
20. Joylanda Jamison
Hawks swoop
down for prey—
funerals and inheritances.
19. Rachel Linton
柏木が
朽ちて、腐って、
が落ちない。
//
The oak tree is
decayed, rotting,
but does not fall.
18. B.P. Otto
Among the brown dead,
spring's first fall--a still-green bud,
too early unwombed.
17. Doreen Beyer
last year's lemon
a ghost
clutching the tree
16. Jeffrey Ferrera
ageless woods
a lifespan is measured
in tree rings
15. Erica Reid
dim gap
between stone toes
& mausoleum
paper wasp nest
14. Cindy Guentherman
80 years old
she walks through dandelions
all those white heads
13. Fiona Ritchie Walker
Those with old hands
plant pear trees for heirs —
sweet harvest for all.
12. J.B.Pename
The florist rinses
Her soiled hands.
The storm durian blossoms.
11. Kate Marsh
Small child come and gone
Butterflies shed a cocoon
Who is the wiser?
10. Satoko Higashino
A breeze of warm pine
When did I start to treasure
The memories from childhood
9. Frank Kelly
gnarled oak
Your splayed branches –
grandma’s hands
8. Suzanne Haas-Cunningham
Wondrous spring morning
Blossoms stalking summer dew.
Fall into compost.
7. Victor Hernandez
empty cocoons
dangle from ancient redwoods-
breeze-dried wings ascending
6. Diane Oesau
from the compost heap
behind the old shed
come melon vines
5. Laura Miller
Summer leans heavy
Through children’s clover crowns
Monarchs fly southward
4. Matt Dove
On the cherry's branch
One leaf clings, wrinkled and dry
Beside tight-closed buds
3. Christine Kohler
Spring orange buds
Fruit ages sweetly
Winter juice
2. Richard Matta
cascading stream…
a weed clot gaining on
the sakura petal
1. Eavonka Ettinger
shedding its skin
a snake slithers away
growing pains
—-
Thank you to everyone who entered this year’s contest. It is a privilege and honor to read words from so many wonderful writers. If you did not win this year, please try again in 2024. The custom winner’s soap will be manufactured in the next couple of weeks, and will be available for sale from September through the end of the year.
The 2024 contest will open in late January.
And, as always, keep writing.
Sincerely,
Bill McConnell
Owner, Whole Life Soaps
Wrightwood, CA
Richardson dughan —
Rightly deserved
All poems are well written .
Kshipra Hada —
Wow, this is so beautiful! Love the scaly texture of the soap, the haiku fits perfectly!
Barbara —
A wonderful collection of poems – thank you for sharing all twenty, there are some beautiful images.
I love the idea of poetry on soap!
Eavonka Ettinger —
I am elated to have my haiku chosen as the 2023 winner! It is such an honor, and I am eager to see how the soap will come out. I’m sure it’ll be awhile before this will sink in.