2023 Haiku Contest

...  and the winners are .... 

1st Place:   Sylvia Wall

Olokun

Cordées et nouées
Perles noires en liberté
Au fond de la mer

Comments from the judges: 
Referring to Olokun, the African deity associated with the sea in Yoruba mythology, the title sets the stage for the description of a human tragedy: that of countless sick slaves thrown to sea by slave traders in order to collect insurance. The powerful image of slaves shackled and strung together like pearls in a necklace creates a poignant contrast between the horror of the scene and the freedom these "black pearls" might have found in death, at the bottom of the ocean.  OLOKUN is a beautifully crafted haiku that combines imagery, symbolism, and cultural references to recount one of the darkest episodes in history.

2nd Place:   Pranathi Malledi

Les Dauphins

Acrobates des mers
Une innocence enfantine
Mystérieux sourire

Comments from the judges: 
This poem celebrates dolphins' agility, innocence, and the captivating enigma they embody.  The first line conjures images of dolphins gracefully leaping and diving through the water, showcasing their playful nature.  The second line, "Une innocence enfantine" (Childlike innocence), adds a touch of child-like charm and purity to the scene.  "Mystérieux sourire" (Mysterious smile) highlights the intriguing quality of dolphins' seemingly smiling faces.  What hides behind?

3rd Place: Mary-Benton Gordon

Lumière à la Mer

Une vague longue et haute,
La lumière derrière…
Cent poissons d’argent!

Comments from the judges: 
This haiku captures the interplay of water, light and life.  The title immediately evokes a sense of wonder and anticipation, drawing readers into the beauty of the ocean. The first two lines create a visual image of a wave rising high and stretching out, emphasizing the ocean's magnitude and presence, with the sun's rays casting a radiant glow on the scene.  The "hundred silver fish" adds a touch of magic and abundance, as if the wave has unleashed a cascade of shimmering life.

Special Mentions

Bal Fécond

L'océan mystérieux
Agite ses profondeurs
Et les poissons dansent

Deborah Monroy

La Fantaisie des Homards

La pince dans la pince
Dans l’obscurité totale
Ils défilent, ils s’aiment.

Zachary Christian

Baisers Salins

Côte rocheuse, fière,
Mer en furie, éclabousse,
Bretonne, je t'embrasse.

Mikaele Klopfenstein

Congratulations to the Winners!
and many thanks to all who participated

Merci à nos juges!

Marguerite Le Clézio - French Instructor

Mary Roberts - French Instructor

Michèle Darrah - French Instructor