tap water
a beautiful reprieve from
the long hours of attention

Sabrina LeBlanc

I cocoon myself in warmth
ready for the passage of
a lonely night

Sabrina LeBlanc

careful sip of tea
later, empty
I am it

Vance Martinez

inhaling rosemary
from the diffusion vapor
a congested wheeze

Datoria Parker (3)

I cocoon myself in warmth
ready for the passage of
a lonely night

careful sip of tea
later, empty
I am it

I cocoon myself in warmth
ready for the passage of
a lonely night

top quarter champion

TOP half Chamption

I cocoon myself in warmth
ready for the passage of
a lonely night

bottom quarter champion

crunching beneath my feet
the soft grass stretches for miles
no end in sight

summer evening walk
everybody waves
in a small town

crunching beneath my feet
the soft grass stretches for miles
no end in sight

sparkling night sky
we walk
deep in conversation

Bailey Welch

summer evening walk
everybody waves
in a small town

Kimberly Dial

crunching beneath my feet
the soft grass stretches for miles
no end in sight

Sabrina LeBlanc

left foot
right foot
the finish line behind me

Bailey Welch

TOP half champion

I cocoon myself in warmth
ready for the passage of
a lonely night

CHAMPION

beautiful sunset
two sets of footprints
left behind in the sand

beautiful sunset
two sets of footprints
left behind in the sand

BOTTOM half champion

early morning jog
step-by-step
my troubles leave me

Bailey Welch

beautiful sunset
two sets of footprints
left behind in the sand

Marissa Holloway

taking the stairs
sure
I work out.

Danielle Morgan

bundled up 
brutal wind as I walk
daydreaming of spring

Vance Martinez

beautiful sunset
two sets of footprints
left behind in the sand

taking the stairs
sure
I work out.

beautiful sunset
two sets of footprints
left behind in the sand

top quarter champion

BOTTOM half champion

beautiful sunset
two sets of footprints
left behind in the sand

bottom quarter champion

prayers in the dark
cold
watching my breath

being still
inhalation . . . exhalation 
I wonder 

prayers in the dark
cold
watching my breath

being still
inhalation . . . exhalation 
I wonder 

Vance Martinez

cold stone under foot
warrior one
on the back porch

Sean James

I fold my hands
bow my head
release my worries to God

Bailey Welch

prayers in the dark
cold
watching my breath

Sean James

tap water
a beautiful reprieve from
the long hours of attention

Sabrina LeBlanc

I cocoon myself in warmth
ready for the passage of
a lonely night

Sabrina LeBlanc

careful sip of tea
later, empty
I am it

Vance Martinez

inhaling rosemary
from the diffusion vapor
a congested wheeze

Datoria Parker (3)

These two haikus were both very beautifully written. They both create a sense of calm and relaxation, although, the first one seems to take a more positive perception of the relaxation and alone time and the second one seems to take on a more depressed perception of alone time. I really loved both of these and it was very difficult to make a decision on the best one. I voted for the cocoon one in class, but I have since changed my mind and really love the first one. I like the phrase “long hours of attention” because that is basically what your entire day consists of, giving attention to people and things. At night, it is such a peaceful feeling to be able to lay back and take in the serenity of peace and quiet. I imagine laying in the bath with a glass of wine and a book and putting away all of the days stresses. I also love the language in the second line “a beautiful reprieve.” Everything about this haiku gives me a sense of calm and happiness and that is why I have to choose this as my favorite, however, I do believe the language in the other one is also very beautifully written. Bailey

Cocoon: I really like this one too. At first it made me think the person is very lonely, possible struggling with depression, or maybe she didn’t have anyone to share her life with. However, after looking at again I thought maybe the writer is ok with being alone and maybe it was just for the night. I also started to think about the cocoon. The cocoon turns into a beautiful butterfly. The cocoon needed some alone time, to think, to heal, to grow and when that process is complete the beautiful butterfly is now released. Kim

sparkling night sky
we walk
deep in conversation

Bailey Welch

summer evening walk
everybody waves
in a small town

Kimberly Dial

crunching beneath my feet
the soft grass stretches for miles
no end in sight

Sabrina LeBlanc

left foot
right foot
the finish line behind me

Bailey Welch

I really like both of these poems. They both remind me of life in my hometown, and play well with each other. I voted for the small town wave haiku, because it was so relatable for my life, but now reflecting back on these two, I like the night sky one. It may be my affinity for stars and stuff, but I find the first one romantic, because I’m imagining two people who are so into the conversation that they don’t realize what time it is. While it doesn’t have a specific season, it does still have a nature quality, and a simplicity that just pulls you. Sabrina

These two haiku I think are an interesting pair because they both are presenting something locational. With the first one, the words depict a small, quaint town where everyone knows your name and the other is depicting a traveler in a place that is not small. I think I like the second one more because I think it is trying to articulate a more complex situation, the feeling of care and curiosity. I think of the person continuing their journey due to the fact that they cannot see the end of their destination, making it more thought-provoking to me. Vance

early morning jog
step-by-step
my troubles leave me

Bailey Welch

beautiful sunset
two sets of footprints
left behind in the sand

Marissa Holloway

taking the stairs
sure
I work out.

Danielle Morgan

bundled up 
brutal wind as I walk
daydreaming of spring

Vance Martinez

Champion: Beautiful Sunset. I am partial to any Haiku that has to do with the beach and especially a sunset. Walking along the beach and watching the sunset is my favorite thing to do. We have taken several beach vacations and many memories come to my mind when I read this Haiku. I can picture my husband walking with one of our daughters when they were little, hand in hand, feet barley touching the water just enjoying that special moment of being together. I am also reminded of the Footprints in the Sand poem. The imagery of Jesus walking with us. Kim

According the matching contest we did in class, we made a vote for each round and we decided the haiku “beautiful sunset two sets of footprints left behind in the sand” won the match. This haiku was really interesting because imagine waling on beach and you see all you footprints walking in the sand and on the concrete.Elijah

This haiku makes you feel complete, like the day is done and its’ time to go home. The two sets of footprints could be a couple, a daughter and mother, son and father, or simply friends out on a vacation. The words used by Marissa were chosen gracefully and present as peace. Even though there is usually water nearby sand, she did not need to mention it and I can still visualize the sound of soft waves hitting the shoreline. Tori

being still
inhalation . . . exhalation 
I wonder 

Vance Martinez

prayers in the dark
cold
watching my breath

Sean James

I fold my hands
bow my head
release my worries to God

Bailey Welch

prayers in the dark
cold
watching my breath

Sean James

I chose these two haiku to compare because they seem to both be about meditation. I know the second one is because I am the author. My favorite of the two is mine, and not just because I wrote it. I like the first because I love the stillness of meditation, but I also like to start my meditation with a prayer or intent. The night I reference in the haiku, I was desperately trying to find my inner calm. Winter is challenging for me, and that night was the first real cold day of winter. I was looking at the stars and asking for continued direction and guidance on my journey. Sean

I think this is an interesting pair because it has the same idea within them but you get a completely different vibe from them. The first one has a sense of ease, and “peace of mind” because they have already confided in God, who has accepted his/her repentance. The second one has a sense of longing, waiting for a solution as they sit in the cold to numb their emotions. I think the second one wins the match up because it gives enough room for the reader to create their own experience but it has enough detail and information to guide a story. Danni

cold stone under foot
warrior one
on the back porch

Sean James

This haiku gives the illusion of a person standing in the cold waiting for their prayers to be answered. I believe that I can relate because at any given time, I will pray. Sometimes to ‘count to ten’ when your nervous, wont compare to the time spent for a small prayer. This haiku was written by someone whom prays at any moment, at any given time. Tori