2017 Moon Viewing Haiku Contest

Judged by Tanya McDonald and Michael Dylan Welch

Thank you to everyone who entered the spirit of participation and celebration in writing haiku for the 2017 Seattle Japanese Garden Moon Viewing Haiku Contest, held on 9 September 2017. The entries seemed stronger and more poetic this year. First prize was an annual garden membership. Second prize was a garden T-shirt. And third prize was a set of garden postcards. Congratulations to all the winners, and to everyone who submitted poems.

First Place

lantern in the tree

it could be the only moon

we will see tonight

Sarah Aday

Second Place

hidden moon

I cannot see you—

looking still matters

Brian C.

Third Place

consider the moon . . .

the audience is not unlike

the koi

Russell Nielson (spelling of last name unclear, perhaps Nelson or Nukor)

Honourable Mentions

(in no particular order):

waiting,

for the autumn moon

another bowl of tea

Gwen Stamm

needles outstretched

the crone-backed tree

beckons the moon

Samuel Levy

orange moon—

can autumn fires

keep me from your gaze?

Karen Radcliff

the moon hides

behind the clouds

waiting to shine

Diana Danzberger

otsumi for 100 people

if the moon were here

it would be too crowded

Trevor

empty bento box

chilly breeze ruffles my scarf

waiting for the moon

Nina Marini