128

DEAR KUKAI FRIENDS MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A BRIGHT AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR.
Here are the results to our 2018 Christmas


POEMS REMAIN THE COPYRIGHT OF INDIVIDUAL WRITERS

Players: 1. Marina Bellini, Italy; 2. Michael H. Lester, USA; 3. Brendon Kent, England; 4. Giovanna Restuccia, Italy; 5. Keith A. Simmonds, France; 6. Carol Raisfeld, USA; 7.Mark Gilbert, UK; 8. Pasquale Asprea, Italy; 9. Martha Magenta, UK; 10. Nikolay Grankin, Russia; 11. Vasile Moldovan, Romania; 12. Christine L. Villa, USA; 13. Ana Drobot, Romania; 14. Doris Pascolo, Italy; 15. Tomislav Sjekloća, Montenegro; 16. Marta Chocilowska, Poland; 17. Christopher Calvin, Indonesia; 18. Cristina Apetrei, Romania; 19. Adjei Agyei-Baah, Ghana; 20. Rashmi Vesa, India; 21. Pat Geyer, USA; 22. Cezar Florescu, Romania; 23. Henryk Czempiel, Poland.


FIRST PLACE
13
homeless -
above the shopping cart
a sky full of stars
-Ana Drobot (Romania)
VOTE:537*** SCORE: 32
COMMENT: 1. such a nice and sad image
COMMENT: 2. The haiku is poignant, brings home the glaring irony of stereotypical festive celebrations. Festivity has acquired materialistic connotations- shopping, gifting, merry making ,linked to purchasing power of which the poor and the homeless have none. But they do have the power of dreams and the haiku seems to allude to that.


SECOND PLACE
19
Christmas shopping
the bowed head
of a naked mannequin
- Adjei Agyei-Baah; Kumasi, Ghana
VOTE:413*** SCORE: 15
COMMENT: suggests association with the crucified Christ and the connection between Christmas and Easter. Very moving.



THIRD PLACE
4
Christmas shopping -
in my coat pocket
his cold hand
--Giovanna Restuccia, Italy
VOTE:54**** SCORE: 13
COMMENT: expresses, in my view, the idea that money cannot buy warmth and affection. However, there are chances for the cold hand to become warm inside the pocket as Christmas with its gifts is an occasion to connect with the others

AND

2
Christmas shopping—
humming the tune Jingle Bells
non-stop for five weeks
--Michael H. Lester, USA
VOTE:1*4*** SCORE: 13
COMMENT:



RESULTS CONTINUES

1
compulsive shopping -
a new pair of boots
to walk alone
-- Marina Bellini, Italy
VOTE:5*1*** SCORE: 08
COMMENT:




3
toy market...
the shopping list
redundant
--Brendon Kent, England
VOTE: 3*1*** SCORE: 06
COMMENT:



5
last-minute shopping…
my Christmas list keeps growing
longer and longer
--Keith A. Simmonds; Rodez, FRANCE
VOTE:2***** SCORE : 02
COMMENT:


6
store sign . . .
"no window shopping
prices better inside"
--Carol Raisfeld, New York, USA
VOTE:3***** SCORE: 03
COMMENT:


7
last minute shopping
the sparrow dives through
a gap in the blackthorn
- Mark Gilbert, UK
VOTE:23**** SCORE: 08
COMMENT:


8
Christmas shopping -
my indecision
the gift for you
- Pasquale Asprea – Italy
VOTE:222*** SCORE: 12
COMMENT:


9
gift shopping
in the East End—
shooting star
- Martha Magenta, UK
VOTE:21**** SCORE: 04
COMMENT:


10
holiday shopping season
an aquarium fish stares at the buyers
with its big eyes
- Nikolay Grankin, Russia
VOTE:****** SCORE:00
COMMENT:


11
Shopping day-
the brimful basket and
your empty wallet
-Vasile Moldovan, Romania
VOTE:11**** SCORE: 03
COMMENT:


12
holiday shopping
my urgent email
to Santa Claus
- Christine L. Villa, USA
VOTE:1***** SCORE:01
COMMENT:


14
Christmas shopping-
Santa's reindeer
eats cookies off a tray
-Doris Pascolo, MILANO – ITALY
VOTE:11**** SCORE: 03
COMMENT: points A light hearted haiku, referring to a commonplace sight during festivities in supermarkets and sidewalks.


15
supermarket revelation
shopping list
left at home
-Tomislav Sjekloća, Montenegro
VOTE:11**** SCORE:03
COMMENT:


16
Santa's shopping bag –
listening out for the steps
on the stairs
-Marta Chocilowska, Warsaw, Poland
VOTE:2***** SCORE: 02
COMMENT:


17
Joyful December
Crowds in on and offline stores
gold-shopping fever
-Christopher Calvin, Indonesia
VOTE:****** SCORE: 00
COMMENT:


18
Christmas shopping -
my kids look for the best diapers
for the infant Jesus
-Cristina Apetrei
VOTE:****** SCORE: 00
COMMENT:


20
gossamer web
a spider’s shopping cart
becomes mine
- Rashmi Vesa; Bengaluru, India
VOTE:11**** SCORE: 03
COMMENT:.


21
Christmas shopping...
what to gift exploring
the Amazon
- Pat
VOTE:3***** SCORE: 03
COMMENT:


22
brainstorming -
adding multiple items
to the shopping list
-Cezar Florescu
VOTE:2***** SCORE: 02
COMMENT:


23
jewellery shopping
guy with the face claw marks
chooses a brooch
-Henryk Czempiel
VOTE:2***** SCORE: 02
COMMENT:



BOOK PRIZE

Since no one else has pledged a book prize. I will gift a copy of my 2018 publication to the first place winning haiku
congratulations Ana!!! you have won your self a copy of Anansi and The Twelve Days of Christmas



much love
gillena

127

[this haiga first appeared at my blog Lunch Break December 2006]

Dear haiku friends you are invited to participate in The Caribbean Kigo Christmas Kukai 2018

The Kigo is shopping
SEND one haiku which MUST include the word shopping. Your entry should include your name, and country from which you are sending.

EXAMPLE
December shopping –
i pause to see in the creche
baby Jesus
--gillena cox, Trinidad and Tobago.

Deadline for sending entries is December 11th 2018
Deadline for sending votes is December 21st 2018


A voting list will be e-mailed to all players

VOTING
Votes to be scored using a total of 6 points; voters must use all 6 points

EXAMPLE
Haiku#76………3pts
Haiku#34………2pts
Haiku#8………1pt

The example given is just one of several ways you can allot your points


COMMENTS
Comments during voting are encouraged but must be limited to 3 lines [about forty words]. When published, these comments and votes will be given anonymous listings. Comments should be kept in the nature of encouraging the continued good haiku writing practice.

The Co-ordinator retains the right to not include a comment as anonymous and to ask the commenter to post his or her thoughts directly to the blog under Comments.


RESULTS
The results of this kukai will be published here at Caribbean Kigo Kukai on December 23rd 2018. After results have been posted, I encourage your after-words as general comments, you can post directly here at the blog, just click on Comments at the end of the post.


CONTACT ME
e-mail your Submission, Vote, Comments and Gift Pledges



Should anyone be interested in pledging, a copy of a book of haiku poems, to the first place winner of this kukai, please email me or Comment at the end of this post.

much love
gillena

CKK SECOND POET'S CHOICE

[original image from google]
CKK Second Poet's Choice, lists [103] poems (1,2,3, places) spanning OCTOBER 2011-FEBRUARY 2015. The winner is Robert Kania from Poland


1
morning cleaning -
the bamboo shadows
sweep the stairs
----Jacek Margolak, Poland
*********= 01


2
late autumn breeze –
the old man mends the split
in his bamboo flute
--Warren Gossett, USA
3***1*****= 08


3
childhood home -
in my father's bamboo pipe
a firefly
--Cezar F. Ciobîca, Romania
*1********= 02


4
Christmas tree -
every year a little higher
her paper angel
--Bouwe Brouwer, The Nederlands
2**1******= 06


5
christmas tree
snow is melting
down the cheeks
--Tatjana Debeljacki, Serbia
**********= 00


6
soup kitchen
ragged garland drapes
the Christmas tree
--Catherine J.S. Lee, USA
**********= 00


7
Christmas tree -
the beggar hums a carol
over the manger
--Cezar F. Ciobîca, Romania
**********= 00


8
the sound
of my own footsteps . . .
winter dawn
--Bill Kenny, USA
2*2*******= 08


9
sandcastle
a trail of footsteps
from and to the sea
--Marleen Hulst, The Netherlands
*1*1******= 06



10
first snow-
two footsteps forward
and two back
--Alex Serban, Romania
**********= 00



11
one month after the funeral
I still hear her footsteps
on the stairs
--Andrzej Dembonczyk, Poland
11********= 03


12
bacalao
memories of a place
I've never been
--Bill Kenney, USA
1*********= 01



13
church bells -
on the narrow road
smell of salted fish
--Cezar F. Ciobîca, Romania
*********1= 10


14
Mother's Day-
two old ladies exchange
saltfish recipes
--Rita Odeh, Israel
**********= 00


15
salted fish
all those things
I've yet to try
--Cara Holman, USA
2*********= 02



16
blossoming cherry trees
I ask the waiter
for a window table
--Marleen Hulst,The Netherlands
2*********= 02


17
at the crossroads,
bumping into each other..
blossoming almond
--Rita Odeh, Israel
**********= 00


18
crucifixion
a thorny shrub
blossoming
--Tomislav Maretic, Croatia;
**********= 00



19
grandmother -
she recognizes us
by touch
Andrzej Dembonczyk, Poland;
*1********= 02


20
mother explains
grandmother's recipe -
autumn rain
--Bouwe Brouwer, The Netherlands
1*********= 01

21
at the window
buds on plum branches...
grandmother's smile
--Magdalena Dale, Romania
2*********= 02


22
in sepia colours
my grandmother
at my age
--Marleen Hulst, The Netherlands
**********= 00


23
tiger lilies . . .
the old widow remembers
her first dance
--Kathy Uyen Nguyen, USA
1*********= 01


24
mother's tears -
the wedding bouquet
in my hands
--Asni Amin, Singapore
1*********= 01


25
marriage service -
white butterflies around
the wedding bouquet
--Ailoaei Cristina, Romania
**********= 00


26
graduation day
I fold my program
into a fan
--Cara Holman, USA
1*********= 01



27
graduation march . . .
floating among the clouds
my mother's smile
--Christine L. Villa, USA
**********= 00


28
Graduation parade -
even the flowers
craning their necks
-- John McDonald, Scotland;
*********= 01


29
tassles dangle
expectations and hopes hang
uncertain
--Linda Hofke, Germany
**********= 00



30
high diver
at the platform's edge
stillness
--Bill Kenney, USA
1*********= 01


31
stripping away
her gold medal
the alarm clock
--Patty Hardin
1*********= 01


32
Olympics on TV
I sit folding origami
peace cranes
--Kirsten Cliff, New Zealand
**********= 00


33
stormy weather
a homeless man clutches
his bottle of wine
--Bouwe Brouwer, The Netherlands
1*1*******= 04


34
swaying oak -
afternoon tea
in the cellar
--V.Leo.R; Bangalore, India
**********= 00


35
an unseen bird
begins to trill...
lifting clouds
--Cara Holman, USA
1*********= 01


36
hailstorm -
an old man finds refuge
in a disco bar
--Cristina-Monica Moldoveanu, Romania
**********= 00


37
high winds
breathing in
breathing out
--Bill Kenney
**********= 00


38
shaping dreams..
the potter's hand on his
wheel of fortune
--Vinay Leo R; Bangalore, India
**********= 00


39
autumn coolness
the potter's hand scatters
ashes
--Bouwe Brouwer, The Netherlands
**********= 00

40
potter's hands
shaping the emptiness
of his blue jugs
--John McDonald, Scotland
1*********= 01



41
our last goodbye
pine trees shrouded
by the mist
--Cara Holman, USA
3*********= 03


42
abandoned chapel -
spiders weaving around Jesus
another shroud
--Cezar F. Ciobîca, Romania
2*********= 02


43
in the garden,
an empty broken tomb,
shrouded in glory
--Richard Hill, Japan
**********= 00


44
coyote bones -
will these stars be
my shroud?
--Sandi Pray, USA
**********= 00


45
another young man
shrouded
in his country's flag
--John McDonald, Scotland
**********= 00


46
mist shrouded hill-
nothing but a church bell's call
to hold on to
--Lavana Kray, Romania
**********= 00


47
the closed door
back to my childhood...
key under a stone.
-- Marie-Alice Maire, France
1*********= 01


48
beach stone...
the years spent smoothing
his edges
--Diane Mayr, USA
**********= 00


49
sitting on this stone
where a wall used to be . . .
the gentle rain
--Bill Kenney, USA
1*********= 01


50
fallen petals...
drops of wetness gleam
on the stalk
Rita Odeh, Israel
*1********= 02


51
summer wetness
scents our rose garden--
your empty chair . . .
--Charles Werdenhoff, USA
*********= 01


52
wetness
of the painter's brush …
The birth of Venus
--Irena Szewczyk, Poland
21********= 04


53
scorching day -
enjoying the wetness
of my dog's nose
--Cezar-Florin Ciobîca
2*********= 02


54
in her hair
a white gardenia--
the thrill of tango
S.E. Herrin: Des Moines, Iowa
1*********= 01


55
the ruins of the castle -
wild flowers
in the ballroom
--Robert Kania, Poland
2*******1*=11


56
dried twig -
origami flowers
bring it to life
--Lavana Kray, Romania
**********= 00


57
moonless sky-
military raincoats hung
on a bamboo fence
--Rita Odeh, Israel
1*********= 01


58
Father's Day -
his raincoat still smells
of pipe tobacco
--Cezar-Florin Ciobîca, Romania
2*********= 02

59
between him
and the grey sky...
tattered raincoat
--Vinay Leo R., India.
**********= 00


60
migrating birds --
all the colors of
my skin
--Angie Werren, USA
1*********= 01


61
visit to a zoo
she hides her bracelets
of ivory
--Irena Szewczyk, Poland
1*********= 01


62
fancy dress day-
today my child is
nelson mandela
--Kashinath Karmakar, India
1*********= 01


63
reunion –
only my cousins
speak Swahili
--Jayashree Maniyil, Australia
1*********= 01


64
action film--
my baby's kick
in the sonogram
--Arvinder Kaur, India
**********= 00


65
dark movie hall-
in my popcorn pack
someone else's hand
--Kashinath Karmakar, India
**********= 00


66
frames of war -
the color of blood
in black and white
--Sandi Pray USA
1*********= 01


67
early darkness-
on the wings of the egret
a hint of sunlight
--Arvinder Kaur, India
4*********= 04


68
unfinished
in early darkness
a robin's nest
--Vinay Leo R., India
1*****1***= 08



69
Early darkness –
rereading a letter
in Braille
--Eduard Tara, Romania
**********= 00


70
child guitarist -
a mother's hand
behind the curtains
--Ajaya Mahala, India
1*********= 01


71
incomplete orchestra -
the missing leaves
of the poplar
--Eduard TARA, Romania
**********= 00


72
neighbour's triplets-
each one an octave higher
than the other
--Yesha Shah, India.
**********= 00


73
stage debut...
a missed beat outside
and inside
--Vinay Leo R, India.
**********= 00


74
turning grey
symphonies of wind
in bare branches
--Sandi Pray, USA
1*********= 01


75
karaoke night...
my partner silently
roots for me
--Shloka Shankar, India
**********= 00


76
heated argument...
she nurses her ego
in the shower
--Shloka Shankar, India
1*********= 01


77
sandcastle —
a wave darts
past my feet
--Vinay Leo R., India.
**********= 00


78
ma's trembling hands--
the touch that still melts my
worries away
--Yesha Shah, India
1*********= 01


79
after lovemaking-
capturing the window moon
with every smoke ring
--Kashinath Karmakar,India
1*********= 01


80
kite shop -
entering with every customer
the summer breeze
--Bouwe Brouwer, The Netherlands
21********= 04



81
a paper kite...
my first dream
about flying
--Robert Kania, Poland
**********= 00


82
gunshots ...
a kite flying over
the Berlin wall
--Cezar-Florin Ciobîca, Romania
**********= 00


83
boy in the puddle
splattering around
his own piece of sky
--Gabriel Sawicki, Poland
3*********= 03


84
the splatter of rain...
my father's silence
still smells of war
--Cezar Ciobîca, Romania
1*********= 01


85
splatter of rain
punctuated by the beat
of the cat's tail
--Ingrid Jend, UK
1*********= 01


86
picnic -
butterflies and
flies in the butter
--John Mcdonald, Scotland
**********= 00


87
Christmas morning
unwrapping
Great Expectations
--Bouwe Brouwer, The Netherlands
1*********= 01


88
crossword-
I go across the downs
in life
--Yesha Shah, India
********** 00


89
white noise
his argument
was sound
--Shloka Shankar, India
1*********= 01


90
eraser –
my mother's mistakes
no longer mine
--Shloka Shankar, India
2*********= 02


91
after all is said--
staring into the glow
of a dying fire
---Devin Harrison, Canada
1******1**= 09


92
summer greetings --
once again water lilies
float on the clouds
--Archana Kapoor, India
**********= 00


93
first day of school...
a monarch butterfly
spreads its wings
-- Shloka Shankar India
**********= 00


94
back to school-
in the Wireless Networks Lab
a curious spider
--Dan Iulian, Romania
**********= 00


95
first day morning...
the school bag empties
an old memory
--Vinay Leo R, India
**********= 00


96
Christmas countdown -
unsent letters to Santa
in my childhood drawer
--Arvinder Kaur, India
**********= 00


97
countdown to Christmas
humming carols
on my way to work
--Marleen Hulst, The Netherlands
**********= 00


98
Yuletide songs come
earlier and earlier...
countdown to Christmas
--Keith A. Simmonds, France
**********= 00


99
Christmas countdown
getting deeper with each day
the snow in my footprints
--Vinay Leo R., India.
**********= 00


100
windy day-
the dance of a bee
deep in a bud
--Rita Odeh, Israel
2****1****= 08


101
candlelight
my shadow learns
new dance moves
--Magda Sobieszek
1*********= 01



102
first dance
the girl stares at
her new pair of shoes
--Billy Antonio
2*********= 02



103
unheard melodies
in the summer wind
shadows dancing
--Bill Kenney USA
**********= 00


REVISIT

First Poet's Choice HERE

125

[IMAGE from google dot com]


POEMS REMAIN THE COPYRIGHT OF INDIVIDUAL WRITERS

Players: 1. Walter Artificium, Belgrade; 2. Ana Drobot, Romania; 3. Bill Kenney USA; 4. Brendon Kent, England; 5. Keith A. Simmonds, France; 6. Manoj Sharma , Nepal; 7. Pat Geyer, USA; 8. Andy McLellan, UK.; 9. Eufemia Griffo, Italy; 10. Andela Nikolic; 11. Nicholas Klacsanzky, Ukraine; 12. Michael H. Lester, USA; 13. Carol Raisfeld, USA; 14. Jacob Salzer, USA ; 15. Adjei Agyei-Baah, Ghana; 16. Martha Magenta, UK; 17. Devin Harrison, Canada; 18. Justice Joseph Prah, Ghana; 19. Ernesto P. Santiago, Greece; 20. Stella Pierides DE and UK; 21. Vibeke Laier, Denmark; 22. Mark Gilbert, UK; 23. Krzysxtof Kokot Poland; 24. Henryk Czempiel, Poland.


FIRST PLACE

20
world cup final
the old couple holding
hands
.--Stella Pierides Neusaess, DE and London, UK
VOTE:362*** SCORE: 21
COMMENT 1: A warm, touching haiku
COMMENT 2: In a crowded stadium this haiku focuses in on one couple - the word 'final' suggests it might be their last match
COMMENT 3: A modern fairy-tale ending, with they lived ever after. The old couple has won.
COMMENT 4: Sporting tournaments bring people together and you imagine this old couple have been watching their team play for many years. Maybe this is the first time they have attended the actual final.
COMMENT 5: Though this world cup final has not yet been played, I find the poet's imagination is very vivid. A moment of anxiety has been captured vividly.
COMMENT 6: Like #2 (lullaby) in reminding us that there is more in the world than the World Cup (Full disclosure: I’m one half of an old couple myself).


SECOND PLACE

22
a shooting star
plunges into the sea
penalty shoot out
--Mark Gilbert, UK
VOTE:323*** SCORE: 16
COMMENT: 1.strong juxtaposition
COMMENT: 2.This haiku suggests the silence of the penalty shootout. I wonder if anyone noticed that shooting star. Nice image
COMMENT: 3.We all feel for those players who miss a penalty in a shoot-out. It often happens to those who have had an exceptional tournament and their star suddenly plummets in a moment.


THIRD PLACE

16
penalty shootout –
not a breath
of wind
--Martha Magenta, England UK
VOTE:313*** SCORE 14
COMMENT 1: Even the wind is captured by the game.
COMMENT 2: Captures a specific moment with atmosphere and subtlety
COMMENT 3: A natural detail well chosen to suggest the breath-holding tension of the moment.



RESULTS CONTINUE

1
a dream rolls
across the green grass
those beautiful losers
--Damir Damir
VOTE:*1**1* SCORE: 07
COMMENT 1: I love the way it starts with a dream, but finishes with loss.
COMMENT 2: Hope and pain are beautifully portrayed in this haiku.Impressive juxtaposition. The poet is successful in convincing his observations to the reader


2
world cup -
deep inside it
emptiness
--Ana Drobot (Bucharest, Romania)
VOTE:311*** SCORE: 08
COMMENT 1: This haiku shows the uncertainty and the expectations involved in the tournament.Nice juxtaposition between line one and line three.Good haiku.
COMMENT 2: I like the expression of attitude through image, even though I don’t entirely share the attitude.


3
Go-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-a-a-l
guy at the end of the bar
looks up
--Bill Kenney USA
VOTE:231*** SCORE 11
COMMENT 1: I like the ambiguity of the poem. I am not sure whether the attention of the guy at the bar has been caught by the result of the game or by a certain lady.
COMMENT 2: We find the atmosphere of World Cup in the haiku.


4
beads of sweat
at the penalty spot
a deeper hole
--Brendon Kent, England
VOTE:*1**** SCORE: 02
COMMENT:


5
A flash of lightning
across the World-Cup field ...
two M'Bappé goals
--Keith A. Simmonds; Rodez, FRANCE
VOTE:****** SCORE:00
COMMENT:


6
midnight blue -
face of a coach
on own goal
--Manoj Sharma
VOTE:****** SCORE:00
COMMENT:


7
his slide hugs the field...
celebrating his scoring
loving his tenth goal
--Pat Geyer
VOTE:****** SCORE:00
COMMENT:


8
back yard penalties
two boys take turns
to be Harry Kane
--Andy McLellan; Canterbury, UK.
VOTE:331*** SCORE: 12
COMMENT: Careless but sincere scene of children play


9
penaltys shoot-out
a mother whispers a lullaby
to her child
--Eufemia Griffo, Italy
VOTE:331*** SCORE: 12
COMMENT 1: Both sweet and emotional haiku
COMMENT 2: Beautiful haiku. The moment of grief and excitement is nicely blended with two images of "penalty shoot-out and mothers lullaby". A successful haiku.
COMMENT 3: I’m not sure of the connection between parts, and I suspect that may be the point: even at World Cup time, other things matter.


10
They will carry home
only grass stains on their knees
This year favorits
--Andela Nikolic
VOTE:**1*** SCORE 03
COMMENT:


11
hovering
over the football goal line
summer fog
--Nicholas Klacsanzky
VOTE:2***** SCORE 02
COMMENT: I like the way nature feels like taking part in the game. The fog looks just like another player. Is is about to win?


12
wide-open mouths—
the soccer ball enters
an open net
--Michael H. Lester
VOTE:221*** SCORE:11
COMMENT: I love the juxtaposition of this one with open mouths and the open goal. You can imagine the ball going into those mouths!
COMMENT 2: An amusing parallel that also rings true.


13
the goalie
in a leap of faith
the hero
--Carol Raisfeld; Atlantic Beach, NY USA
VOTE:*1**** SCORE: 02
COMMENT:


14
different country flags
moving in unison---the color
of the wind
--Jacob Salzer
VOTE:3***** SCORE: 03
COMMENT: Beautiful image


15
deciding goal
winners and losers
all shed tears
--Adjei Agyei-Baah
VOTE:11**** SCORE: 03
COMMENT:


17
strategic thinking
uses his head to put the ball
in the net
--Devin Harrison - Vancouver Is, Canada
VOTE:****** SCORE:00
COMMENT:


18
FIFA fair play
an own goal
seals our friendship
--Justice Joseph Prah; Ghana, Accra
VOTE:12**** SCORE: 05
COMMENT: I enjoy how "fair play" signifies balance and respect in friendship. The second line: "an own goal" seems to symbolize humility, and that when you give yourself to a friend, you are also giving to yourself.


19
football real grass
trembling in a light breeze
penalty shootout
--Ernesto P. Santiago Athens, Greece
VOTE:****** SCORE:00
COMMENT:


21
all day tv
a butterfly fluttering by
the window frame
--Vibeke Laier, Denmark
VOTE:1*1*** SCORE: 04
COMMENT: 1. I like the off-centre focus of this haiku, the fluttering butterfly captures a sense of being shut in all day.Haiku #20 In Haiku #22 This


23
whistle's sound -
for some a beginning
for other the end
--Krzysxtof Kokot POLAND
VOTE:4***** SCORE: 04
COMMENT: Beautiful haiku. How a final whistle decides the fate of a team and shatters the dream, is nicely picturised. This haiku is successful in carrying the Zen aspect


24
hot sunset -
muezzin's call is drowned out
by the goal shout
--Henryk Czempiel, Poland
VOTE:41**** SCORE: 06
COMMENT: Lovely image emphasising the global nature of the World Cup. 'Hot', 'out and 'shout' chime, and the latter two rhyme in a subtle way.



BOOK PLEDGE

A gift for the first place winner is pledged from Michael H. Lester
Many Thanks Michael
AND
to the first place winner

[congrats image from google dot com]

124

[ Image from Wikipedia; fair use]

The Adidas Telstar 18 is the official match ball of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, which is being held in the Russian Federation. It is designed by the company Adidas, a FIFA Partner and FIFA World Cup official match ball supplier since 1970, and based on the concept of the first Adidas's World Cup match ball


Dear haiku friends, It's time for another special kukai. Yes its World Cup Season 2018. This year, let us celebrate in haiku: our exhilaration, hype, let downs, griefs; all our emotions and experiences.

World Cup 2018 is our THEME [You need not use the exact words in your haiku] e-mail one haiku, written in the form of your choice, on this theme. Have fun, be creative. Enjoy!
Remember you are writing ABOUT World Cup 2018 BUT need not use the exact words in your haiku for this kukai


EXAMPLE HAIKU
a goal almost scored -
a hesitant rain shower
sounds on my roof
© gillena cox 2018 [this haiku was first published at my blog VERSES in a haibun titled NEW WAVE]


DEADLINE DATES
Deadline for sending entries is July 10th 2018
Deadline for sending votes is July 20th 2018

A voting list will be e-mailed to all players

VOTING:
Votes to be scored using a total of 6 points; voters must use all 6 points
Example:-
Haiku#76………3pts
Haiku#34………2pts
Haiku#8………1pt

The example given is just one of several ways you can allot your points


COMMENTS
Comments during voting are encouraged but must be limited to 3 lines [about forty words]. When published, these comments and votes will be given anonymous listings. Comments should be kept in the nature of encouraging the continued good haiku writing practice.

The Co-ordinator retains the right to not include a comment as anonymous and to ask the commenter to post his or her thoughts directly to the blog under Comments.

RESULTS
The results of this kukai will be published here at Caribbean Kigo Kukai. After results have been posted, I encourage your after-words as general comments you can post directly here at the blog, just click on Comments at the end of the post.


CONTACT ME
e-mail your Submission, Vote and comments.



[gift bag image from google dotcom; fair use]
Should anyone wish to pledge a haiku book prize for this kukai, please email me
much love
gillena

123

[image from google dot com]




POEMS REMAIN THE COPYRIGHT OF INDIVIDUAL WRITERS


Players: 1. Marta Chocilowska, Poland; 2. Michael H. Lester, USA; 3. Anna Cates, USA; 4. Pat Geyer, USA; 5. Bill Kenney, USA; 6. Ana Irina, Romania; 7. Vasile Moldovan, Romania; 8. Martha Magenta, England; 9. Justice Joseph Prah, Ghana; 10. Mark Gilbert; 11. Christine L. Villa, USA; 12. Eufemia Griffo Italy; 13. Ashi Kjær, Denmark; 14. Andrius Luneckas, Lituania; 15. Mercy Ikury, Kenya; 16. Rebecca Sanchez, USA; 17. Marina Bellini, Italy ; 18. Ernesto P. Santiago, Greece; 19. Pasquale Asprea, Italy; 20. Giovanna Restuccia; 21. Cristina Apetrei, Romania; 22. Cezar Florescu, Romania; 23. Henryk Czempiel, Poland; 24. Shrikaanth Krishnamurthy



FIRST PLACE

22
refugee child
in his overcoat pocket
a Disneyland map
--Cezar
VOTES:224*** SCORE:18
COMMENTS: A very moving image


SECOND PLACE

8
deep autumn
the scent of dried lavender
in her apron pocket
--Martha Magenta England, UK
VOTES:712*** SCORE:15
COMMENTS: “dried” and ”apron” may be too much information, but an evocative ku even so.



THIRD PLACE

5
winter sky
full of stars . . .
my empty pockets
--Bill Kenney
Whitestone NY USA
VOTES:431*** SCORE:13
COMMENTS: would have been better …my pockets empty (rather than, my empty pockets.)



RESULTS CONTINUES

1
a visit
the new neighbor's dog
sniffs at my pocket
--Marta Chocilowska, Poland
VOTES:1***** SCORE:01
COMMENTS:


2
a joey
in her kangaroo pocket
Lamaze class
--Michael
VOTES:**1*** SCORE:03
COMMENTS:


3
a sea star
sways in a pocket light . . .
harmonica strains
--Anna Cates, Wilmington, OH. USA
VOTES:****** SCORE:00
COMMENTS:


4
barefoot little boy
jumps over a puddle...
frog in his pocket
--Pat Geyer USA
VOTES:3*1*** SCORE:06
COMMENTS: I am as afraid as curious what he will do with this frog .


6
pocket money -
on the full moon
a few spots
--Ana Drobot (Bucharest, Romania)
VOTES:11**** SCORE:03
COMMENTS: This might have scored higher but for the awkward word order and the unnecessary “full.” I like the avoidance of over-precision in “a few.”


7
before the payday
nothing in my pockets...
only the eastern wind
--Vasile Moldovan, Romania
VOTES:2***** SCORE:02
COMMENTS:


9
jail breaking
the beggar's finger peeps
out of his torn pocket
--Justice Joseph Prah; Ghana
VOTES:****** SCORE:00
COMMENTS:


10
running for the train
warm hamburger
in my pocket
--Mark Gilbert
VOTES:1***** SCORE:01
COMMENTS:


11
not knowing
how I lost him . . .
a hole in my pocket
--Christine L. Villa, USA
VOTES:312*** SCORE:11
COMMENTS:


12
unstitched pockets
all those scars
still open
--Eufemia Griffo Italy
VOTES:411*** SCORE:09
COMMENTS: 1. I won't be surprised if this wins. Love the strong metaphor!
2. A powerful image



13
Once full
Now empty space
My pockets
--Ashi Kjaer
VOTES:**1*** SCORE:03
COMMENTS:


14
valentine's day
in my pocket
two last year chestnuts
--Andrius Luneckas; Vilnius, Lituania
VOTES:11**** SCORE:03
COMMENTS:


15
recently divorced
he pockets his son's picture
and pats the pocket
--I.M
VOTES:****** SCORE:00
COMMENTS:


16
comparing selfies
looking older every year
hands in pocket
© Rebecca Sanchez 2018
VOTES:2***** SCORE:02
COMMENTS:


17
warm breeze
a stone carved by the sea
in the pocket
-- Marina Bellini
VOTES:111*** SCORE:06
COMMENTS: The second “the” could be dispensed with. But the sense of time and space ending in “the pocket” is brilliant.



18
cricket chirps
in my toddler’s pocket
his secret
--Ernesto P. Santiago; Athens, Greece
VOTES:311*** SCORE:08
COMMENTS:


19
her phone number
forgotten in the pocket -
old jeans
--Pasquale Asprea - Italy
VOTES:31**** SCORE:05
COMMENTS:


20
crossing the border
his savings in the hidden pocket -
crescent moon
--Giovanna Restuccia
VOTES:221*** SCORE:09
COMMENTS:


21
sharp crash of thunder
a grasshopper leaps into
the scarecrow’s pocket
--Cristina Apetrei
VOTES:211*** SCORE:07
COMMENTS: beautifully and humorously shown fear of the storm


23
handshake
with fist in the pocket
another armistice
--Henryk Czempiel, Poland
VOTES:11**** SCORE:03
COMMENTS:


24
ice cream shop
the little boy offers to pay
with his best shells
--Shrikaanth
VOTES:231*** SCORE:11
COMMENTS: 1. I vote for this haiku, although it does not contain the word "pocket". I guess is that the boy takes the shells out of his pocket and it is very moving scene.
2. number 24 doesn't have "pocket" in it which should not be included due to not following directions.



A HAPPY POEM IN YOUR POCKET DAY TO EVERYONE
This is our last Poem In Your Pocket Kukai. Next April and continuing , our April Kukai will be in observation of International Haiku Day 17 April

122

[Image from Pinterest; fair use]


EXAMPLE HAIKU
emptied pockets
washing machine gurgling -
a ten dollar find
© gillena cox 2018

Dear haiku friends, It's time for our special kukai; for
A Poem In Your Pocket Day April 26th 2018. This year, let us use the word pocket as our kigo. e-mail one haiku, written in the form of your choice, using the prompted word pocket ; Have fun, be creative. Enjoy!
Remember you MUST use the word pocket in your haiku for this kukai


DEADLINE DATES
Deadline for sending entries is April 17th 2018
Deadline for sending votes is April 24th 2018

A voting list will be e-mailed to all players

VOTING:
Votes to be scored using a total of 6 points; voters must use all 6 points
Example:-
Haiku#76………3pts
Haiku#34………2pts
Haiku#8………1pt

The example given is just one of several ways you can allot your points

COMMENTS
Comments during voting are encouraged but must be limited to 3 lines [about forty words]. When published, these comments and votes will be given anonymous listings. Comments should be kept in the nature of encouraging the continued good haiku writing practice.

The Co-ordinator retains the right to not include a comment as anonymous and to ask the commenter to post his or her thoughts directly to the blog under Comments.

RESULTS
The results of this kukai will be published here at Caribbean Kigo Kukai. After results have been posted, I encourage your after-words as general comments you can post directly here at the blog, just click on Comments at the end of the post.


CONTACT ME
e-mail your Submission, Vote and comments.


much love
gillena

121

Although in our tenth year of kukai, here at Caribbean Kigo Kukai, this is the first time an anniversary kukai has been held. Special thank to all players.


Poems remain the copyright of individual writers.

Players: 1. Marta Chocilowska, Poland; 2. Ana Drobot Romania; 3. Ajaya Mahala, India; 4. Damir Damir, Montenegro; 5. Christina Sng, Singapore ; 6. Mark Gilbert, UK; 7.Vibeke Laier, Denmark; 8. Martha Magenta, UK; 9. Christine L. Villa, USA;10. Cristina Apetrei, Romania; 11. Keith Simmonds, France; 12. Brendon Kent, England; 13. Michael H. Lester, USA; 14. Cezar Florescu, Romania; 15. Eufemia Griffo, Italy; 16. Henryk Czempiel Poland; 17. Ernesto P. Santiago, Greece; 18. Pat Geyer, USA.



FIRST PLACE

5
monarch butterfly
discovering how much
I have changed
--Christina Sng, Singapore
VOTES:542*** SCORE:19
COMMENTS: 1. there is a profound connection between L1 and L3. The short life of this butterfly invites people to be better. 2. I love this juxtaposition, and the economical use of words. I get the feeling that this hakuist has metamorphosed into a very beautiful butterfly indeed. 3. A beautiful connection between the butterfly and the way the person changes.



SECOND PLACE

8
cracked ice—
I try to put my pieces
back together
--Martha Magenta Bristol, UK
VOTES:431*** SCORE:13
COMMENTS: Highly introspective, the juxtaposed images give a sense of attempting to integrate some experiences difficult to move on from, which can leave a person feeling "frozen."


9
the way she looks
inside herself for answers . . .
selfie after selfie
--Christine L. Villa, USA
VOTES: 4*3*** SCORE:13
COMMENTS: 1. A modern take on soul searching. Interesting. 2. I believe this would have been stronger if 'for answers' was dropped as 'looking inside herself' says it all.Still a good current haiku for the theme 'introspection'.



THIRD PLACE

14
valentine's day
unfolding an old
love letter
Cezar Florescu
VOTES:222*** SCORE:12
COMMENTS: The poem - the starry sky - shows the beauty of haiku and why we keep writing ...



RESULTS CONTINUES

1
Ash Wednesday –
a view of memento mori
on Valentine's Day
--Marta Chocilowska, Poland
VOTES:2***** SCORE:02
COMMENTS


2
emptiness -
the scent of cherry blossoms
fills my childhood home
-Ana Drobot (Romania)
VOTES:22**** SCORE:06
COMMENTS: The poem describes the feeling of an empty home - but the scent of cherry blossoms is always there in your mind.


3
alien city
the day I shall own
my shadow
--Ajaya Mahala, Pune, India
VOTES:1***** SCORE:01
COMMENTS


4
geese are gone
in the lake
grimace of this lonely fool
--Damir Damir
VOTES:1*2*** SCORE:07
COMMENTS


6
the chime of a spoon ...
he peers through the froth
of his life
--Mark Gilbert
VOTES:3***** SCORE:03
COMMENTS


7
her last hours
the silence from
moon stones
--Vibeke Laier
VOTES:23**** SCORE:08
COMMENTS


10
old diary
between pages a faded
Valentine heart
--Cristina Apetrei
VOTES:2***** SCORE:02
COMMENTS


11
After carnival
a profound soul-searching ...
Lenten retreat
--Keith Simmonds
VOTES: ****** SCORE:00
COMMENTS


12
wild daffodils
comparing random
afterthoughts
Brendon Kent
VOTES:4***** SCORE:04
COMMENTS: Nice juxtapostion of images. The way wild daffs tend to pop up where they will, just like our thoughts do. 2. Have you considered removing 'after'? I thought this might make it lighter and less complicated.


13
who am I
to doubt my own existence—
mirror image
--Michael H. Lester
VOTES:4***** SCORE:04
COMMENTS:


15
melancholy ...
the silence of snow
into my silence
Eufemia Griffo, Italy
VOTES:32**** SCORE:07
COMMENTS


16
starry sky
above me - within me
haiku
--Henryk Czempiel Poland
VOTES:2*1*** SCORE:05
COMMENTS: I like this paraphrase of Emmanuel Kant “the starry heavens above me and the moral law


17
silently sitting in
an open field — a self-help book
to fit
--Ernesto P. Santiago Athens, Greece
VOTES: ****** SCORE:00
COMMENTS


18
soul searching...
my forty day journey
brings me peace
--Pat Geyer, USA
VOTES:11**** SCORE:03
COMMENTS

120

Dear haiku friends the first ever Caribbean Kigo Kukai was posted in 2009 with a kigo Lent. That was nine years ago. Back then CKK was a monthly event. In February 2015 our last kukai was announced. Following this, requests for continuation flooded in and Special Events Kukai were then started.

I now wish in the spirit of looking back, and of continuation to have an Anniversary Kukai during the Season of Lent every year.

Please join me in our first anniversary-celebration kukai which will reflect our first ever kigo Lent, but our THEME for this kukai will be INTROSPECTION. This means our haiku will be about introspection, but we do not absolutely have to use the word in our haiku.

EXAMPLE
between sips of tea
reflections on worth of love -
St Valentines's Day
© gillena cox 2018

Deadline for sending entries is February 23th 2018
Deadline for sending votes is March 4th 2018

A voting list will be e-mailed to all players

VOTING
Votes to be scored using a total of 6 points; voters must use all 6 points

EXAMPLE
Haiku#76………3pts
Haiku#34………2pts
Haiku#8………1pt

The example given is just one of several ways you can allot your points

COMMENTS
Comments during voting are encouraged but must be limited to 3 lines [about forty words]. When published, these comments and votes will be given anonymous listings. Comments should be kept in the nature of encouraging the continued good haiku writing practice.

The Co-ordinator retains the right to not include a comment as anonymous and to ask the commenter to post his or her thoughts directly to the blog under Comments.

RESULTS
The results of this kukai will be published here at Caribbean Kigo Kukai. After results have been posted, I encourage your after-words as general comments you can post directly here at the blog, just click on Comments at the end of the post.


CONTACT ME
e-mail your Submission, Vote and comments.


much love
gillena

119

Sad to say that Caribbean Kigo Kukai has lost a haiku friend. Johnny Baranski passed away after a short stay in hospital, Thursday 25th January 2018.


"...father peace activist, pacifist, published haiku artist, father of three, father in law to three, grandpa to three, friend of many, devout Roman Catholic and Catholic Worker walked across the lake with Jesus. He is with his maker now. May he rest in God’s eternal peace"
--Margo Williams, the eldest daughter of Johnny Baranski



May he Rest In Peace



9
blossoming spring
I long to return to
a simpler time
-- Johnny Baranski
Ckk#33April 2012

14
brazier smoke
unaware of his fate
salted fish
--johnny baranski
Ckk#32 March 2012

7
always welcome
at the hilltop shrine
my muddy feet
Johnny Baranski, Vancouver, Washington USA
Ckk#28 September 2011