St. Johns Cultural Council 5th Annual Haiku Contest

St. Johns Cultural Council 5th Annual Haiku Contest
What is a Haiku?

A haiku is a type of short-form poetry that originated in Japan. These poems traditionally contain 17 total syllables in three lines. Line one is 5 syllables, line two is 7 syllables, and line three is 5 syllables. However, this contest does not require that authors strictly follow the traditional form. We do recommend that any poem submitted contain less than 20 syllables with a short/long/short arrangement.

Haiku are traditionally nature-based and often follow a seasonal theme. They do not rhyme. Juxtaposition is an essential element of this form of poetry: haiku may closely connect two contrasting images or compare unexpected similarities.

Haiku also employ a “cutting word,” known as a kireji in Japanese. This is a word that provides a verbal punctuation mark separating the juxtaposed images. There is no English equivalent to a kireji so English writers sometimes use a dash or another form of punctuation to create a break or pause that gives readers a chance to reflect on the connection between the two parts.

For examples of Haiku, click here. For reference on additional guidelines regarding the "art of haiku," click here.
The Fifth Annual St. Johns Cultural Council Haiku Contest opens on February 1, 2025, and runs through March 1, 2025.

A selection committee will choose three First Place haiku, one each in the following categories:

Students ages 12 and younger
Students ages 13 to 17
Adults ages 18 and older

Authors of the First Place haiku will each receive a $100 prize, and the winning Haikus will be published on stjohnsculture.com, in our electronic newsletter, and in the AC PAPA Literary Journal.

The committee will select up to 6 honorable mentions (two in each category) that will also be published on our website and in our newsletter. The author of each honorable mention will receive a $25 gift certificate.

Author Information
Name*

First NameLast Name
Email*
example@example.com
Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Are you a student?*

YesNo
Date of Birth

MonthDayYear
Date
School Attending
If you are younger than 18 please add parent or guardian contact information:
Parent/Guardian Name

First NameLast Name
Parent/Guardian Email
example@example.com
Provide a brief statement explaining your writing background and how you became interested in writing poetry*

Haiku # 1
Title*
Insert haiku here*

Haiku # 2

Optional
Title
Insert haiku here

Haiku # 3

Optional
Title
Insert haiku here

Acknowledgement
I acknowledge that all work submitted to the St. Johns Cultural Council 5th Annual Haiku Contest is original and of my own creation. I give the St. Johns Cultural Council permission to publish my work.
Name*

First NameLast Name
Signature*

Clear
Should be Empty:

St. Johns Cultural Council 5th Annual Haiku Contest

Author Information

Haiku # 1

Haiku # 2

Haiku # 3

Acknowledgement