2023 Haiku Contest

in North Carolina Schools

Originating in Japan, haiku is the shortest form of poetry in the world.
In a short descriptive verse, it captures a moment in the poet’s life.
What do you see?  What do you hear?  What do you feel?

Challenge yourself to write a haiku in French!

Theme: Les Yeux

Dates: February 1-28

What is a haiku?
 

A haiku is a very brief Japanese poem of 17 total syllables in 3 lines. 

Haiku’s do not have to rhyme. Juxtaposition (compare or contrast) is an essential element of this form of poetry - for example, by closely connecting two contrasting images, or by comparing unexpected similarities.

Contest Rules
 

• Haiku must be in French
   
• Must be emailed by Feburary 28, 5pm
   
• Must have a title and be composed of 3 lines:

1. Line one is 5 syllables

2. Line two is 7 syllables

3. Line three is 5 syllables
   
   Both "spoken" and "written" syllables are accepted.

Haiku Examples

La Forêt
Les arbres frissonnent
Dans la nuit le cerf s'endort
Sous l'oeil du hibou

 

Le Nouveau-Né
Les yeux de l'enfant
Croisent le regard du père
Qui est le plus sage?

 

How do I
submit entries?
 

1. Write your haiku in an email to:
   afraleighcontest@gmail.com

2. Subject Line: Your Name + Grade

3. In the email body:
   - Your School & City
   - Your haiku must have a title

If you are a teacher emailing your student's haikus:

1. Subject Line: Teacher + Your Name
2. In the email body:  Your School & City
3. For each student: Name + Gade + Haiku
4. You can list several student's haikus in the same email.

Important:

If you use your school's email address, make sure your email won't be blocked by the school's email server.  Alternatively, students may use their parents' email address - with their parents' consent.

Prizes

Grades 1-5 

• 1st Prize wins a large gift basket 
• 2nd Prize wins a medium gift basket
• 3rd Prize wins a small gift basket 

Grades 6-9

• 1st Prize wins credit for a French group class for 1 year with Alliance Française - a total of 60 hours of tuitions  
• 2nd Prize wins credit for a French group class for 2 terms with Alliance Française - a total of 40 hours
• 3rd Prize wins credit for a French group class for 1 term with Alliance Française - a total of 20 hours

Grades 10-12

• 1st Prize wins credit for a French group class for 1 year with Alliance Française - a total of 60 hours of tuitions 
• 2nd Prize wins credit for a French group class for 2 terms with Alliance Française - a total of 40 hours
• 3rd Prize wins credit for a French group class for 1 term with Alliance Française - a total of 20 hours

Results will be published on
March 15, 2023

Meet Our Judges

Marguerite Le Clézio - French Teacher

Mary Roberts - French Teacher

Michèle Darrah - French Teacher