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POEMS REMAIN THE COPYRIGHT OF INDIVIDUAL WRITERS

Players: 1. Ernesto P. Santiago, Greece; 2. Stella Pierides, DE and UK; 3. Marta Chocilowska, Poland; 4. Pasquale Asprea - Italy; 5. Pat Geyer, USA; 6. Cezar Florescu, Romania; 7. Mark Gilbert, UK; 8. Adjei Agyei-Baah, Ghana; 9. Cristina Apetrei, Romania; 10. Ana Drobot (Romania); 11. Marina Bellini, Italy


FIRST PLACE

6
hanging baubles
one after another
memories with mom
--Cezar Florescu
VOTES: 1*4*** SCORE: 13
COMMENTS: It is obvious that the narrator misses the mother who is no longer among the loved ones.
while decorating the Christmas tree the poet recalls beautiful moments and I think each one of us feels his / her eyes burst into tears. A sad poem in a way, but full of brilliance. well done!


SECOND PLACE

2
mistletoe
the snowman starts
to melt
--Styliani Pierides-Mueller
VOTES: 312*** SCORE: 11
COMMENT 1: A pleasing rhythm, nicely linking two 'western' kigo. Being picky, I'm not clear how the moment of initial melting could be noticed.
COMMENT 2: Mistletoe means blessing, but this time it is bad luck for the poor snowman who melts due to the kiss of the sun's rays. What a pity!


THIRD PLACE

9
silent night
a gold tinsel garland around
the beggar's waist
--Cristina Apetrei(Romania)
VOTES: *31*** SCORE: 09
COMMENTS: I like this unconventional approach to Christmas decorations



RESULTS CONTINUE

1
the mother’s love —
in a child’s fragile hands
snowflake cutouts
-- Ernesto P. Santiago, Greece
VOTES: 121*** SCORE: 08
COMMENTS:


3
Christmas tree
the soft jingle of baubles
in candlelight
--Marta Chocilowska, Poland
VOTES: 31**** SCORE: 05
COMMENTS: A pleasing combination of sounds (clever repetition of the 'le' motif).


4
Merry Christmas! -
the snowflakes projection spotlight
on the supermarket wall
--Pasquale Asprea - Italy
VOTES: **1*** SCORE: 03
COMMENTS:


5
pastel pink sprites
run through green branches...
fairy lights glow
--Pat Geyer, East Brunswick, NJ USA
VOTES: 12**** SCORE: 05
COMMENTS: A moving take with effective double meaning in line 1. I wonder if the second line might be shortened or changed to make it even better overall?


7
baubles and bangles
and silver-wrapped spangles...
the light of many stars
--Mark Gilbert
VOTES: ****** SCORE: 00
COMMENTS:


8
childhood Christmas —
all the gift wrappings
the art of my life
--Adjei Agyei-Baah
VOTES: ****** SCORE: 00
COMMENTS:


10
origami globes -
a few rose buds
in my garden
--Ana Drobot (Romania)
VOTES: **1*** SCORE: 03
COMMENTS:


11
only the star
on top of the tree is left...
the cat licks its tail
--Marina Bellini, Italy
VOTES: *31*** SCORE: 09
COMMENT: 1. This cat, a little rascal, amused me !
COMMENT: 2. A feeling of love, poverty and humour runs through this haiku. I imagine a poor family mounting a Christmas tree without its ornament. The distant star as its only decorative object is comforting, and perhaps gives hope of better days to come!





There were no gift pledges for this kukai. So i will gift the first place with a copy of my 2019 chapter book for children, a Christmas story presented, haibun style titled 'Anansi An Unusual Experience