156

[famous haiku by Matuso Basho (1644-1694) image made with Bing AI creator]

 

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL HAIKU POETRY DAY APRIL 17th 2025

None of the comments during the kukai are from the kukai coordinator. Comments and votes of the players are anonymously stated.

PLAYERS

1. Ed Bremson, USA; 2. Jackie Chou, USA; 3. Mona Bedi. India; 4. Nitu, India; 5. Corine Timmer, Portugal; 6. Marina Bellini, Italy; 7. Ana Drobot, Romania; 8. Daniela Misso, Italy; 9.Melissa Dennison, UK; 10. Eduard Tara, Romania; 11. Tracy Davidson, Uk;  12. Mark Gilbert, UK; 13. Billy Antonio, Phillipines; 14. Amoolya Kamalnath, India; 15.Mohua Maulik, New Delhi, India; 16. Swagata Soumyanarayan, India; 17. Devoshruti Mandai, India;18. Lakshmi Iyer, India; 19.Cezar Florescu, Botoșani, Romania; 20. Cristina Pietraru,  Romania; 21.Henryk Czempiel, Poland

FIRST PLACE

18

stars everywhere 

joining dots in search

of dad's constellation 

Lakshmi Iyer, India 

VOTES: 333***SCORE:18

COMMENT 1:Touchy and can relate. 

COMMENT 2:The poignant yearning in this ku was touching

COMMENT 3:Too many stars or too few and constellations can't be seen.

COMMENT 4:This is something painful yet an acceptance of the same. Simply showing love for Dad.

SECOND PLACE

8

children's laughter -

everywhere I look 

daisies

Daniela Misso; Italy

VOTES: 132***SCORE:13

COMMENT 1:Loved the juxta of the children's laughter to blooming daisies swaying everywhere in the fields. An image that shows the beauty of the poem.

COMMENT 2:The image of the children's laughter is evocative, vivid and vibes with the white and yellow of Daisies. There is a certain simplicity and innocence in both children and its comparison with daisies is so apt!

COMMENT 3:L1 and L3 are exquisitely complementing each other. Beautiful ku.

THIRD PLACE

2

mirrored windows

everywhere I turn 

winter narcissus 

Jackie Chou; Pico Rivera, California, United States

VOTES: 1*3***SCORE: 10

COMMENTS

10

milky way

everywhere memories

about fireflies

Eduard TARA, ROMANIA

VOTES: 24****SCORE:10

COMMENTS

19

lavender field...

everywhere I look

only mom's eyes

Cezar Florescu,  Botoșani, Romania.

VOTES: *22***SCORE:10

COMMENT 1:What a wonderful juxta to depict the lavender to a mother's eyes, the colour, the texture and all that that sums up a mother!

COMMENT 2:The emotion felt by the poet about her/his mother is beautiful and touching. It may be a mother who is living or has passed on but the thought is poignant.   

RESULTS CONTINUE

1

barefoot at the beach,

everywhere I'm picking up

sand burrs

Ed Bremson,Raleigh, NC, USA

VOTES: ******SCORE: 

COMMENTS

3

wayside moon

lingering everywhere 

honeysuckle wind

~ Regards, Mona Bedi.

Delhi, India 

VOTES: 111***SCORE:06

COMMENT 1: Nice short/long/short, nice pivot. I wonder if the key word "everywhere" worked better in the pivot, line 2? nice images, love honeysuckle.

COMMENT 2: Atmospheric, complex, structurally ambiguous. 

4

blossom rain

everywhere 

scent of spring ,

Nitu, India

VOTES: 11****SCORE:03 

COMMENT 1: Nice pivot, great images. We're in the middle of spring here, with all the pollen, and blossoms.

COMMENT 2:This is a quadrum, a poem in which the number of syllables in each line equals the number of lines. The pivot line works to generate a feel of universality.

5

first warm breeze . . .

everywhere birdsong

Corine Timmer; Faro,Portugal

VOTES: 12****SCORE:05 

COMMENT 1:Relatable. With the new season, comes the birdsongs.

COMMENT 2:This is eloquent. Just two sentences that capture a moment of joy. The first warm breeze of spring. Reading this I can feel it. The air alive with bird song. Beautiful. Life returns, along with hope for better days.

6

country lane

everywhere I look

daffodils

Marina Bellini, Italy 

VOTES: *11***SCORE:05

COMMENTS: A visit to a village and the beauty of nature is simply presented

7

everywhere 

the same sun -

globalisation

Ana Drobot (Bucharest, Romania)

VOTES: *21***SCORE:07 

COMMENT 1:The idea of the sun going global is a unique take and i found it amusing.

COMMENT 2:In just 5 words this haiku makes a powerful statement about humanity. This is its strength: brevity. Whoever we are, wherever we are, we are all under the same sun. We are all equal.

9

warm night

everywhere seeing stars...

does someone return our look?

Melissa Dennison, UK

VOTES: 1*****SCORE:01

COMMENTS: The leap from observation to speculation, and the leap in scale

11

an unwanted species 

spreading itself everywhere... 

mission to Mars 

Tracy Davidson, United Kingdom

VOTES: *12***SCORE:08 

COMMENT 1: I wonder if this is more senryu, but I love it, so metaphorical Emoji

COMMENT 2: Science will progress as it must. But one can already visualize the destruction of Mars. A relatable ku that resonated with me.

COMMENT 3: I find this verse both ironic and comical. There is an antagonistic effect with unwanted but everywhere, even reaching beyond where this species now inhabits. It's even more situational now with what's going on at a global level.

COMMENT 4: I A scifaiku covering millions of years.

12

thunder everywhere

rain from nowhere

day moon

Mark Gilbert, UK

13

leaves everywhere

the reunion postponed

indefinitely

Billy Antonio; Laoac, Philippines

14

not just here

but everywhere 

so spotlessly clean

this hospital

 Amoolya Kamalnath, India 

15

quake!

everywhere people running

as nurses steady cribs

Mohua Maulik, New Delhi, India

VOTES: 1*1***SCORE:04 

COMMENT 1:A recent event one cannot forget. Very touchy and poignant, and hence it stands out for me.

COMMENT 2:This verse showcases a huge respect to the frontline workers especially the compassionate nurses. In spite of life becoming tosy-turvy for the whole population, the only thing the nurses care about, even more than themselves or their own families, is their patients, who are like their own babies, not just their patients. A very heart-warming observation.

16

cicada songs

break the still night -

everywhere summer 

Swagata Soumyanarayan, Mumbai, India.

VOTES: 31****SCORE:05 

COMMENTS

17

dusty grey everywhere 

an old man mumbling 

' wars will end soon '

Devoshruti Mandal, India

VOTES: *12***SCORE:08

COMMENT 1: This haiku well describes people feelings during these awful times. 

COMMENT 2:HOPE - the one thing most of us hold on to, all our life, even after experiencing utter hopelessness in various situations in different circumstances.

COMMENT 3:This is poignant and timely. We all crave peace and yet from Gaza to the Sudan to Ukraine, the killing continues. Here an old man stands defiant in the rubble. Hope undimmed. Powerful.

20

nursing home

out of the window

buds everywhere

Cristina Pietraru,  Romania

VOTES: 211***SCORE:07

COMMENTS:A very poignant haiku and the reading picks up a whole circle from last line to the first. A very generalised experience of nursing, maybe the newborns or the aged; love and care are of the same nature!

21

New Year's Eve

fireworks everywhere

except Ukraine

Henryk Czempiel, Poland

VOTES: 111***SCORE:06 

COMMENTS

152

None of the comments during the kukai are from the kukai coordinator. Comments and votes of the players are anonymously stated.

Players: 1. Milan Rajkumar, India; 2. Lucia Cardillo, Italy; 3. Ana Drobot, Romania; 4. Pat Geyer, USA; 5. Dan Iulian, Romania; 6. Adjei Agyei-Baah, Ghana; 7. Mona Iordan, Romania; 8. Cezar Florescu, Romania; 9. Cristina-Valeria Apetrei, Romania; 10. Daniela Misso, Italy; 11. Aleksandra Guzik, Poland.

 

FIRST PLACE

7

ashy sky

the bitter colour of

my thoughts

Mona Iordan, Romania

VOTES: *34***SCORE: 18

COMMENTS: Thought provoking. We have done wrong things in our lives. Sky has no colour, yet the poet sees the sky in an ashy colour ... his penitence maybe 

SECOND PLACE

5

deserted hermitage -

only the wind still rings

the old bell

Dan C. Iulian, Bucharest-Romania

VOTES: 222***SCORE: 12

COMMENT 1: Sometimes it's a struggle to be a hermit amid the chaos of life. The repentance is prominently pronounced in a few syllables. 

COMMENT 2:The haiku expresses a feeling of serene isolation and a link to a higher power beyond oneself.

THIRD PLACE

9

first crocus

changing the color

of my sins

Cristina Valeria Apetrei

VOTES: 131***SCORE: 10

COMMENTS: In one way, we are all in a penitentiary of our own. Here the poet is lamenting or changing himself into a better person ...who knows?

RESULTS CONTINUES

 1

journey's end – 

the wild flower I plucked 

and thrown away 

Milan Rajkumar, India 

VOTES: 22****SCORE: 06

COMMENTS: well captured feeling of human regret, maybe even penitence

2

March rain

the little snail climbs 

towards the sun

Lucia Cardillo - Italy

VOTES: 21****SCORE: 04

COMMENTS: an optimistic poem

3

penitent -

bowing and so red

a tulip

Ana Drobot (Bucharest, Romania)

VOTES: ******SCORE: 00

COMMENTS:

4

repenting my sins

i clense myself from evil...

a lenten rose blooms

Pat Geyer, USA

VOTES: ******SCORE: 00

COMMENTS:

6

kneeling in the dark,

heart lightens with peacefulness 

confession box refuge

Adjei Agyei-Baah; Kumasi, Ghana

VOTES: *1****SCORE: 02

COMMENTS:

8

fasting day...

the vending machine swallows

scent of hyacinth

Cezar Florescu

VOTES: 211***SCORE: 07

COMMENTS: the hunger of the fasting day is so palpable here

10

purple mountains 

the elongated shadow 

of a pilgrim's staff

Daniela Misso, Italy

VOTES: *21***SCORE: 07

COMMENTS: a beautful image of faith

11

pilgrimage-

Jacob's shells lead me

to repentance

Aleksandra Guzik, Poland

VOTES: ******SCORE: 00

COMMENTS:

146

 

tiger image from Bing

POEMS REMAIN THE COPYRIGHT OF INDIVIDUAL WRITERS

None of the comments during the kukai are from the kukai coordinator. 

Comments and votes of the players are anonymously stated. 

Players: 1. Wiesław Karliński, Poland; 2. Pat Geyer, USA; 3.  Daniela Misso, Italy;  4. Lucia Cardillo - Italy;  5.   Eufemia Griffo, Italy; 6.  Cezar Florescu, Romania; 7. Cristina Apetrei, Romania.

FIRST PLACE

5

year of  the Tiger

every day

I never lived

--Eufemia Griffo, Italy 

VOTE: 112** SCORE:09

COMMENT :

SECOND PLACE

3

the tiger's shadow

behind the tall grass ...

yin yang

--Daniela Misso; Italy

VOTE: *21** SCORE:07

COMMENT :

7

year of the Tiger...

my young tabby tomcat

clawing his shadow

Cristina Apetrei

VOTE: 1*2** SCORE:07

COMMENT :

THIRD PLACE

6

rush hour

a tiger shaped cloud chasing

a herd of gazelles

-Cezar Florescu

VOTE: 21*** SCORE:04

COMMENT :

1

turn of the year

on the neighbor’s terrace

huddled doggie

--Wiesław Karliński, Poland

VOTE: ***** SCORE:00

COMMENT :

2

as last day sun sets

tiger quietly stalks peace...

a new day will dawn

--Pat Geyer; East Brunswick, NJ USA

VOTE: ***** SCORE:00

COMMENT :

4

silent

the step of hope ...

Year of the Tiger

--Lucia Cardillo - Italy

VOTE: 11*** SCORE:03

COMMENT :

142

POEMS REMAIN THE COPYRIGHT OF INDIVIDUAL WRITERS

None of the comments during the kukai are from the kukai coordinator. Comments and votes of the players are anonymously stated.

Players: 1. Marina Bellini, Italy;  2. Pat Geyer; USA;  3. Lucia Cardillo, Italy;  4. Krzysztof Kokot, Poland;  5. Giovanna Restuccia, Italy;  6. Daniela Misso, Italy;  7. Willie Bongcaron, Philippines;  8.   Ernesto P. Santiago, Greece;  9. Dan Iulian, Romania;  10. Pasquale Asprea- Italy;  11. Ana Drobot, Romania;  12. Mark Gilbert; UK;  13. Nazarena Rampini, Italia;  14. Nikolay Grankin, Russia;  15. Wiesław Karliński, Poland;  16. Mona Iordan, Romania;  17. Andrzej Dembonczyk, Silesia;  18. Adjei Agyei-Baah,  Ghana;  19. Henryk Czempiel, Poland;  20. Stella Pierides; DE and UK;  21. Cezar Florescu, Romania;  22. Kaiser v Kahn, Germany;  23. Eufemia Griffo, Settimo Milanese, Italy;  24. Billy Antonio, Philippines; 

 

 FIRST PLACE

 21

muezzin's call

the scent of magnolia

enters the mosque

--Cezar Florescu

VOTE: 142*** SCORE: 15

COMMENT: A subtle medley of aromas and sounds.

SECOND PLACE

7

i couldn't

go wrong...

morning jasmines

--Willie Bongcaron, Philippines

VOTE: 123*** SCORE: 14

COMMENT:

 

 THIRD PLACE

15

agave flower

in a gardener's notebook

last entry

--Wiesław Karliński, Poland

VOTE: 132*** SCORE: 13

COMMENT: So poignant. Cause and effect, or chance

❧✿❧

18

plastic flower

a butterfly's stopover

at the porch

--Adjei Agyei-Baah;  Kumasi, Ghana

VOTE: 132*** SCORE: 13

COMMENT: This amused me. It's a four seasons ku!

 

RESULTS CONTINUE

1

arranging pansies—

the yellow with a purple heart

steals the scene

--Marina Bellini, Bagnolo San Vito (MN) – Italy

VOTE: ****** SCORE: 00

COMMENT:

 

2

bold forsythia...

mysterious march myst'ry

unfolds in the snow

--Pat Geyer; East Brunswick, NJ USA

VOTE: ****** SCORE: 00

COMMENT:

 

3

the frost

still opens to hope ...

snowdrops

--Lucia Cardillo – Italy

VOTE: 11**** SCORE: 03

COMMENT:

 

4

lily fragrance -

through a tilted window

moonlight

 --Krzysztof Kokot, Poland

VOTE: *22*** SCORE: 10

COMMENT:

 

5

blooming mulberry -

the world disappeared

behind the corner

--Giovanna Restuccia, Modena, Italy

VOTE: 122*** SCORE: 11

COMMENT:

 

6

purple thistles

against the wall

cul-de-sac

--Daniela Misso, Italy

VOTE: 12**** SCORE: 05

COMMENT:

 

8

white mud lily the power of will kicks in

--Ernesto P. Santiago, Greece

VOTE: **1*** SCORE: 03

COMMENT

9

marble flowers -

the mother's grave visited

just my memories

--Dan Iulian, Romania

VOTE: 21**** SCORE: 04

COMMENT

 

10

Plum flowering tree -

my mother's prayer

for my father

--Pasquale Asprea- Italy

VOTE: 3***** SCORE: 03

COMMENT

 

11

cherry blossoms -

I dress up for our date

on Google Meet

--Ana Drobot (Bucharest, Romania)

VOTE: 11**** SCORE: 03

COMMENT

 

12

never alone

a wavering orchid

on the clifftop

--Mark Gilbert; UK

VOTE: 1***** SCORE: 01

COMMENT

 

13

new buds

in a larger vase

peonies

--Nazarena Rampini; Italia

VOTE: *1**** SCORE: 02

COMMENT

 

14

autumn sky

a toddler touches a chrysanthemum

with his finger

 --Nikolay Grankin

VOTE: 1***** SCORE: 01

COMMENT

 

16

spring is here --

a red bloom opens

atop my cactus

--Mona Iordan, Romania

VOTE: ****** SCORE: 00

COMMENT

 

17

silence

the scent of roses fills up

funeral chapel

--Andrzej Dembonczyk, Silesia

VOTE: 22**** SCORE: 06

COMMENT

  

19

wild flowers

in my garden

immigrants

--Henryk Czempiel; Poland

VOTE: 5*1*** SCORE: 08

COMMENT

 

20

bluebell wood

we follow the scent

of heaven

--Stella Pierides; DE and UK

VOTE: 111*** SCORE: 06

COMMENT

 

22

silver wedding

in her hair

white camellia

--Kaiser v Kahn

VOTE: 4*1*** SCORE: 07

COMMENT: Beautiful images seeping across the lines.

 

23

cherry buds

my child says mom

for the first time

--Eufemia Griffo, Settimo Milanese, Italy

VOTE: 12**** SCORE: 05

COMMENT

 

24

cherry blossoms

the long list

of baby names

--Billy Antonio; Philippines

VOTE: 2*3*** SCORE: 11

COMMENT: A fresh and poignant take on this favorite topic.

134

POEMS REMAIN THE COPYRIGHT OF INDIVIDUAL WRITERS

Players: 1. Ernesto P. Santiago, Greece; 2. Giovanna Restuccia; Italy ; 3. Damir Damir, Montenegro; 4. Marta Chocilowska, Poland; 5. Rodica Stefan, Romania; 6. Marina Bellini, Italy; 7. Ana Drobot, Romania; 8. Pat Geyer, USA; 9. Pasquale Asprea, Italy ; 10. Brendon Kent, England; 11. Cristina Apetrei, Romania; 12. Cezar Florescu, Romania; 13. Stella Pierides, DE and UK; 14. Mark Gilbert, UK; 15. Rashmi VeSa, India; 16. Billy Antonio, Philippines; 17. Henryk Czempiel; Poland;




FIRST PLACE
17
tall grass
the scythestone tunes in
with a cicada
--Henryk Czempiel; Poland
VOTES: 323*** SCORE: 16
COMMENTS:


SECOND PLACE
16
the silence
between horse hooves
cobbled streets
--Billy Antonio; Laoac, Philippines
VOTES: 3*4*** SCORE: 15
COMMENT 1: I can hear this
COMMENT 2: A very playful way to capture the mood. I can hear
the happy rhythm of the horses walk.
COMMENT 3:.This haiku brings me to a Mediterranean city in the summer early afternoon.
COMMENT 4: Extremely evocative, with its Dickensian aural image.



THIRD PLACE
12
a cicada's song
the old street fiddler
puts aside his violin
--Cezar Florescu
VOTES: 45**** SCORE: 14
COMMENT 1: A lovely image
COMMENT 2: Nothing compares to natural talent and to the beauty of nature. Sometimes we feel so insignificant in front of nature s beauty
COMMENT 3: Clever metaphor..


RESULTS CONTINUES
1
dripping cobbled streets
her one last gelato
is much more intense
--Ernesto P. Santiago; Athens, Greece
VOTES: ****** SCORE: 00
COMMENTS:


2
basil pots-
through the cobbled alleys
sea breeze
-- Giovanna Restuccia; Italy
VOTES: **1*** SCORE: 03
COMMENTS:


3
rural moon
my late fall shadow
keeping quiet
--Damir Damir, Montenegro
VOTES: 211*** SCORE: 07
COMMENTS:


4
winter stroll
the noiseless owl's shadow
still ahead
--Marta Chocilowska
VOTES: 11**** SCORE: 03
COMMENTS:


5
tortuous cobbled streets –
with each turn
a new outlook
--Rodica Stefan (ROMANIA)*
VOTES: **2*** SCORE: 06
COMMENTS:


6
silent shadows
of butterflies—camping
in the meadow
--Marina Bellini - Italy
VOTES: **1*** SCORE: 03
COMMENTS:


7
silent shadows
at grandma's Easter table -
childhood memories
--Ana Drobot (Bucharest, Romania)
VOTES: 211*** SCORE: 07
COMMENTS:


8
search for refuge...
healing my loud scars
silent shadows
--Pat Geyer; East Brunswick, NJ USA
VOTES: *2**** SCORE: 04
COMMENTS:


9
hidden cicada
a dream
before opening eyes
--Pasquale Asprea - Italy
VOTES: 211*** SCORE: 07
COMMENTS:


10
a horse's hoof
down cobbled streets
striking sunset
--Brendon Kent, England
VOTES: *3**** SCORE: 06
COMMENTS: Dense imagery, striking soundscape



11
autumn solitude...
the pines' silent shadows
caressing what left
--Cristina Apetrei
VOTES: 411*** SCORE: 09
COMMENTS:A very beautiful and natural ending, the end of a season is like
a good exit from the scene of a show.



13
packed rubber boat—
commotion from the island’s
cobbled streets.
-- Stella Pierides; Neusaess, DE and England, UK
VOTES: ****** SCORE: 00
COMMENTS:


14.
spitting watermelon seeds
the screaming
of cicada
--Mark Gilbert
VOTES: 2***** SCORE: 02
COMMENTS:


15
broken earth—
growing into a shadow
the farmer waits
--Rashmi VeSa; Bengaluru, India.*
VOTES: ****** SCORE: 00
COMMENTS:


[image from google dot com]


This anniversary Kukai was in memory of Martha Magenta who died in January this year (2020)

Her last Caribbean Kigo Kukai haiku
tiny cobbled streets
in silent shadows
a cicada
--Martha Magenta




NEXT KUKAI
INTERNATIONAL HAIKU POETRY DAY IS APRIL 17TH 2019. Our next Kukai will be in celebrations of this day.

132

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

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

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

118

[image from google dot com]


Poems remain the copyright of individual writers

Players: 1. Vasile Moldovan, Romania; 2. Christina Sng, Singapore; 3. Keith A. Simmonds, France; 4. Gennady Nov, Russia; 5. Brendon Ken, England; 6. Judith Gorgone, USA; 7. Ana Drobot, Romania; 8. Justice Joseph Prah, Ghana; 9. Goran Gatalica, Croatia; 10. Precious Oboh, Nigeria; 11 Doris Pascolo , Italy; 12. Mercy Ikuri, Kenya ; 13. Cezar Florescu, Romania; 14. Cristina Apetrei, Romania; 15. Mark Gilbert UK; 16. Marta Chocilowska, Poland; 17. Ajaya Mahala, India ; 18. Pat Geyer, USA; 19. Adjei Agyei-Baah, Ghana; 20. Christine L. Villa, USA


FIRST PLACE

14
waiting for gifts
in the beggar's hands
first snowflakes
--Cristina Apetrei Romania
VOTES: 414*** SCORE: 18
COMMENTS: This picture is awakening our conscience. It calls to my mind the Andersen's fairy tale “The Little Match Girl”.


SECOND PLACE

13.
Christmas gift ...
trying on for my mom
a chemo wig
-- Cezar Florescu
VOTES: 431*** SCORE: 13
COMMENTS:



THIRD PLACE

5
adoption day...
everyone sharing
unwanted gifts
--Brendon Ken Southampton, England
VOTES: 231*** SCORE: 11
COMMENTS: This is heartbreakingly beautiful; it made me smile with sadness. I admire the ability to flip the wabi-sabi coin and elicit mixed feelings with a bittersweet tinge in the last line.


16
Christmas Eve . . .
a gift in my arms
quietly meows
--Marta Chocilowska, Poland
VOTES: 421*** SCORE: 11
COMMENTS: A living, breathing gift! Being used to inanimate gifts, reading this haiku felt like opening a gift in itself; nice surprise in the last line.



RESULTS CONTINUES

1
Please, receive as gift
on the Thanksgiving Day
my heart itself!
--Vasile Moldovan
VOTES: ****** SCORE: 00
COMMENTS:


2
surprise gift
from our tomcat
newborn kittens
--Christina Sng
VOTES: 1*1*** SCORE: 04
COMMENTS:


3
a tiny infant
born in a lowly stable ...
priceless gift to man
--Keith A. SIMMONDS Rodez FRANCE
VOTES: 3***** SCORE: 03
COMMENTS:


4
New Year
night arrives with a present
and fireworks
--Gennady Nov
VOTES: *1**** SCORE: 02
COMMENTS:


6
santa’s gift
a twinkle in their eyes
unwraps
---judith gorgone
VOTES: 1*1*** SCORE: 04
COMMENTS:


7
gift unwrapping -
still covering my footsteps
fallen leaves
--Ana Drobot (Bucharest, Romania)
VOTES: *11*** SCORE: 05
COMMENTS:


8
re-wrapping the gift
she widens the puddle
to trap a moon
--Name: Justice Joseph Prah ; Country: Ghana
VOTES: 22**** SCORE: 06
COMMENTS:


9
altruistic gift -
on the organ's donor card
my daughter's name
Author: Goran Gatalica, Croatia (Europe)
VOTES: 211*** SCORE: 07
COMMENTS: 1. This should read on the 2nd line 'on the organ donor card' as 'on the organ's donor card' means the card belongs to the organ.
2. No take back on this gift! “organ donor’s card” maybe? Haiku uses minimal punctuation so when you do use it, it can take away from the haiku if wrong.


10
winter night -
the gift of
togetherness
--Precious Oboh
VOTES: 3*1*** SCORE: 06
COMMENTS: Ah, the warmth of others’ company as the year ends in cold. This haiku captures the need and tendency to be with others during the holidays well. Would be delightful as a monoku/one-liner, don’t you think?


11
Christmas lights-
reflect the rainbow
over the gifts
--Doris Pascolo MILANO – ITALY
VOTES: ****** SCORE: 00
COMMENTS: A subtle and delightful observation of the effect of happy Christmas lights on gifts-I can imagine- wrapped in shiny paper. What do you think of "casting a rainbow" for the second line to better bring out that effect?


12
reindeer gift wrappers
finally flying off
the shelves
--M.I
VOTES: 1***** SCORE: 01
COMMENTS:


15
tiny sounds of life
from the bird’s nest —
winter’s gift
--Mark VOTES: 24**** SCORE: 10
COMMENTS:
Gilbert UK


17
Christmas gifts
the costliest goggles frame
for her blind son
--AJAYA MAHALA
VOTES: 211*** SCORE: 07
COMMENTS


18
my morning gift...
snow birds across the field
sing minstrel songs
--Pat
VOTES: 1***** SCORE: 01
COMMENTS


19
family vacation
daddy's gift of sand castle
left to waves
--Adjei Agyei-Baah
VOTES: 31**** SCORE: 05
COMMENTS: This haiku reminds me of happy holidays with my dad, when I was a child.


20
exchange gift
we gaze at each other
across the room
--Christine L. Villa, USA
VOTES: 211*** SCORE: 07
COMMENTS: 1. An interesting scene that stimulates the imagination and builds tension.
2. I like the subtle hint of romance here. The alliteration of “gift” and “gaze” further draws out the suggestion of the longing look. So maybe not so subtle after all :)




Congratulations
Cristina Apetrei

No one else has pledged, so I pledge to the winner of this Kukai a copy of my latest Children's illustrated story - Third Planet From The Sun [which ends with one haiku]

114

RESULTS OF THE 2017 ANNIVERSARY KUKAI



Poems remain the copyright of individual writers

Players: 1. Ana Drobot, Romania; 2. Dan Iulian, Romania; 3.Keith A. Simmonds, France; 4. Precious Oboh, Nigeria; 5. Stella Pierides, UK; 6 Vasile Moldovan, Romania; 7. Krzysztof Kokot, Poland; 8. Rebecca Sanchez; 9. Devin Harrison, Canada; 10. Christina Sng, Singapore; 11. Jim Force, Canada; 12. Cara Holman, USA; 13. Justice Joseph Prah, Ghana; 14. Christine L. Villa; 15. Adjei Agyei-Baah, Ghana; 16. Anthony Q. Rabang, Philippines ; 17. Madhuri Pillai; Australia; 18. Cezar-Florin Ciobîcă, Romania


FIRST PLACE

15
hilltop
a monk empties his thoughts
into the rising sun
--Adjei Agyei-Baah (Ghana)
VOTES: 333*** SCORE: 18
COMMENTS:


SECOND PLACE

10
spring retreat
I disappear into
my bonsai forest
--Christina Sng, Singapore
VOTES: 332*** SCORE: 15
COMMENTS:


THIRD PLACE

14
ripples recede
with all my regrets . . .
riverside retreat
--Christine L. Villa
VOTES: 5*2*** SCORE: 11
COMMENTS: I like the display of water (ripples) as a therapeutic balm in the above piece. Indeed, most people have often taken to swimming as a way of dulling stress and rubbing out “regrets” as a way of finding inner peace. Hence the poet at this point in time will certainly right in his thought and composition.


RESULTS CONTINUES

1
monastic retreat -
reminding of my touchscreen
the lake's surface
--Ana Drobot, Bucharest, Romania
VOTES: *1**** SCORE: 02
COMMENTS:


2
seven-star comfort-
from the fir bough shelter
looking at Ursa Major
--Dan Iulian, Bucharest-Romania
VOTES: 11**** SCORE: 03
COMMENTS:


3
The inner sanctum
where I embrace the Passion …
a meditation
--Keith A. Simmonds, France
VOTES: ****** SCORE: 00
COMMENTS:


4
sitting in stillness
in and out of me
a gentle peace flows
--Precious Oboh
VOTES: 121*** SCORE: 08
COMMENTS: I found this haiku the most peaceful, reminding of the simple act of breathing which calms and centres the mind and body. My top choice for the theme.


5
early dusk
I trace the lip
of the jar
--Stella Pierides
VOTES: 42**** SCORE: 08
COMMENTS:


6
Sounding the retreat
bitter tears flowing from
the trompeter's eyes
-- Vasile Moldovan, Romania
VOTES: **1*** SCORE: 03
COMMENTS:


7
prayer in the mountains -
wind carriers toward the peaks
juniper ashes
--Krzysztof Kokot, Nowy Targ, Poland
VOTES: 31**** SCORE: 05
COMMENTS:


8
the kindness of strangers
the world relies on it
we should not retreat
-- Rebecca Sanchez
VOTES: 1***** SCORE: 01
COMMENTS:


9
holy one
over the water ancient words
march wind
--Devin Harrison – Canada
VOTES: 1***** SCORE: 01
COMMENTS:



11
corpse pose
the rhythmic flow
of his snore
--Nika
VOTES: 211*** SCORE: 07
COMMENTS: This haiku really made me laugh, for I am too familiar with snoring. The use of the word “corpse” tricks us into the ultimate retreat but we are brought back to earth into a meditation so calm, it sent its practitioner to sleep.


12
mountain retreat
old and new friends mingle
around the bonfire
-- Cara Holman, USA
VOTES: 3*1*** SCORE: 06
COMMENTS:


13
summer retreat
on a crowded beach
only my shadow and i
--Justice Joseph Prah, Ghana
VOTES: 12**** SCORE: 05
COMMENTS: Sometimes the best retreat is to be amongst so many people that you simply vanish. Here, only the shadow of the poet remains with the poet in retreat. Or another interpretation could be that the poet disappears into his or her shadow.


16
chapel on a hill –
kissing the ground
his tired knees
--Anthony Q. Rabang, Philippines
VOTES: 111*** SCORE: 06
COMMENTS:


17
into the bush
creek's unhurried flow
solitude...
--Madhuri Pillai; Australia
VOTES: 2*1*** SCORE: 05
COMMENTS:


18.
mountain retreat
even the Milky Way
smells of resin
--Cezar
VOTES: 31**** SCORE: 05
COMMENTS



Congratulations to Adjei Agyei-Baah, who will receive a copy of


Ana Drobot's - 'Japanese Thoughts'; which will be posted to him by snail mail.

112

Poems remain the copyright of individual writers

Players
1. Pat Geyer, USA; 2. Jim Force, Canada; 3. Ana Drobot, Romania; 4. Goran Gatalica, Croatia; 5. Christina Sng, Singapore; 6. Kat Lehmann, USA; 7. Tatjana Debeljacki, Serbia; 8. Christine L. Villa, USA; 9. Adjei Agyei-Baah, Ghana; 10. Cezar-Florin Ciobîca, Romania


First Place
8
snowflake cocoa . . .
enveloping myself
with old love letters
--Christine L. Villa, USA
VOTES: 134*** SCORE: 19
COMMENTS: In this haiku there is good picture of someone memories and its interesting connection with snowflake cocoa


Second Place
6
hanging ornaments
I lose my wassail
among the reindeer
--Kat Lehmann (USA)
VOTES: 231*** SCORE: 11
COMMENTS: Interesting picture of mulled cider beside sounds of Christmas wassail.



Third Place
3
eggnog with cinnamon –
the scent of my first
time abroad
--Ana Drobot, Romania
VOTES: 311*** SCORE: 8
COMMENTS: I feel in this haiku that autor gives us very good picture of Christmas moment, and this picture is very clear.

Results Continues

1
Christmas tree apples...
with a sip of mulled cider
we each clink our glass
--Pat Geyer, USA
VOTES: 1*1*** SCORE: 4
COMMENTS:


2
in the wind
the smells of winter
mulled wine
--Nika Victoria, BC Canada
VOTES: 12**** SCORE: 5
COMMENTS:


4
holiday punch -
inside our sweet hours
refreshing twist
-- Goran Gatalica, Croatia (Europe)
VOTES: 11**** SCORE: 3
COMMENTS:


5
Crème de Menthe
every Christmas Eve
since age 5
--Christina Sng, Singapore
VOTES: 1***** SCORE: 1
COMMENTS:


7
evening in the winter
whole family sitting together
Christmas drinks
--Tatjana Debeljacki
VOTES:****** SCORE 0
COMMENTS:


9.
celebrating grandpa
from his collection of finest wines-
year after year
--Adjei Agyei-Baah
VOTES: 2*1*** SCORE: 5
COMMENTS:


10.
a minute spider
leaving behind its cobweb -
scent of mulled wine
--Cezar-Florin Ciobîca
VOTES: 12**** SCORE: 5
COMMENTS:



[snoopy from google dot com]

CONGRATULATIONS to Chrissi who will receive a copy of Pink Crush. However, it so happens, Chrissi and I did a book swap earlier in the year so she has already, a copy of Pink Crush. Her second copy, she says, will give to someone as a gift.
Well done Chrissi!!!

110

Poems remain the copyright of individual writers

PLAYERS: 1. Ana Drobot, Romania; 2. Vasile Moldovan , Romania; 3. Vibeke Laier, Denmark; 4. Blessmond Alebna Ayinbire,Ghana; 5. Adjei Agyei-Baah, Ghana; 6. Anthony Q. Rabang Philippines; 7. Tatjana Debeljacki, Serbia; 8. Tomislav Maretić, Croatia; 9. Paul David Mena, USA; 10. Chelle Baratta-Angelini, USA; 11. Pat Geyer, USA

FIRST PLACE

9
island parade --
losing myself
in the steel drum
--Paul David Mena
VOTES: *24*** SCORE: 16
COMMENTS: 1. a haiku with a perfect setting where one can get lost in the full blast of steel pan ensemble! I am thrilled by this one!
2. Brings me back over 40 years ago to when I visited Bermuda and first heard steel drums.


SECOND PLACE

8
listening to blues
in the metro, I let already
six trains go by
--Tomislav Maretić
VOTES: 132*** SCORE: 13
COMMENTS: 1. The poet's heart is filled by music. It is a pleasure feeling the joy of life and music.
2. This is my present, since I love blues and ride metro. There's a kind of beat in this kukai reminiscent of the train wheels on the tracks and the train whistles are like the blues.


THIRD PLACE

4
music of rain -
falling
asleep
--Blessmond Alebna. Ayinbire Bolgatanga - Ghana West Africa
VOTES: 321*** SCORE: 10
COMMENTS: 1. The poem shows connection with nature and with the feeling associated to the music of rain in just five words.
2. I remember living in NJ and hearing the rain lull me to sleep - this kukai says it perfectly. A much simpler time.


RESULTS CONTINUED

1.
steel pan -
the wind enters
my garden
--Ana Drobot. Bucharest, Romania
VOTES: 211*** SCORE: 07
COMMENTS:


2.
listening to
the leaves rustle and the spheres music
let's dance in their beat
--Vasile Moldovan. Buchaest, Romania
VOTES: 1***** SCORE: 01
COMMENTS: Feeling a deep connection with nature and spirituality in this poem.


3
after ballet
music drops into
sylfide dreams
--Vibeke Laier
VOTES: 1***** SCORE: 01
COMMENTS:


5
my favorite song
becoming more sweeter
on my rival’s stereo
--Adjei Agyei-Baah (Ghana)
VOTES: 11**** SCORE: 03
COMMENTS:


6
creeping through
between the sheets
violin chills
--Anthony Q. Rabang Philippines
VOTES: 111*** SCORE: 06
COMMENTS:


7
the well in the middle
of the lost oasis
cricket sings ancient song
-- Tatjana Debeljacki
VOTES: 11**** SCORE: 03
COMMENTS:


10
hips sway soft rhythms
of sweet melodic timbre
rubber-tipped drumsticks
--Chelle
VOTES:**1*** SCORE: 03
COMMENTS:


11
ramajaying...
steel pan dreams calling me
calling me

--Pat Geyer
VOTES: 11**** SCORE: 03
COMMENTS




[snoopy from google dot com]

CONGRATULATIONS to Paul David Mena who will receive a copy of my book

108

Poems remain the copyright of individual writers

PLAYERS: 1. Pat Geyer, USA; 2. Ana Drobot, Romania; 3. Tatjana Debeljacki, Serbia 4. Sanaa Rizvi, Saudi Arabia; 5. Gheorghe Postelnicu, Romania; 6. Keith Simmonds, France; 7. Gabriel Sawicki, Poland; 8. Brendon Kent, UK; 9. Ajaya Mahala, India; 10. Vasile Moldovan, Romania; 11. Madhuri Pillai, Australia; 12. Anna Cates, USA; 13. Michael OBrien, UK; 14. Celestine Nudana, Ghana;


FIRST PLACE
7
just enough
to dress the empty space
spider's silk
--Gabriel Sawicki
Votes: 233*** Score:17
Comments: I enjoyed this haiku about the stylish spider! In fashion, we say that less is more. So, the spider's silk is just enough to dress, or to decorate, the empty space. We can take nature as an example when it comes to fashion and decoration. The spider is one of nature's best artists, after all. Very skillful.


SECOND PLACE
10
in the style of day
even the scarecrow has on
broken blue jeans
--Vasile Moldovan, Bucharest, Romania
Votes: 223*** Score:15
Comments: Broken blue jeans are a very often sight nowadays, everywhere in the streets and even in universities. It is naturally adopted by the scarecrow too!The stylish scarecrow feels more confident now, it seems! We sympathize more with it, anyway!


THIRD PLACE
12
strutting with pride
outside the Goodwill thrift store
a crow pecks at crumbs
--Anna Cates, USA
Votes: 312*** Score:11
Comments: Thrift stores are places that attract people the same way as crumbs attract birds like crows. They choose and find what they are interested in. We can get quite picky in stores, and we are brought in by curiosity.



RESULTS CONTINUED

1
Dressed in purple…
myrtle, where’s this frock
In wintertime
--Pat Geyer, USA
Votes: 1***** Score:1
Comments:



2
the style
that endures...
sakura season
--Ana Drobot (Bucharest, Romania)
Votes: *31*** Score:9
Comments:


3
ikebana style
sensitive spears of grass
winter sun
--Tatjana Debeljacki
Votes: *2**** Score:4
Comments:


4
Fervour bade
her eyes reflect
youthful flash.
--Sanaa Rizvi
Votes: ****** Score:0
Comments:


5
STYLISH GIRLS GAME-
the long dress earned me money
no mon no fun
NICU STOPEL, ROMANIA
Votes: ****** Score:0
Comments:


6
the beauty queen
selects an astounding smile
to fit her stylish gait
--Keith A. SIMMONDS Rodez, FRANCE
Votes: 2***** Score:2
Comments:


8
turning heads
the way
she wears it
--Brendon Kent, UK
Votes: 12**** Score:5
Comments:


9
falling curtains
a stylish kiss finally seals
the end scene
--Ajaya Mahala, Pune India
Votes: *11*** Score:5
Comments:


11
glitterati
the flashes on the red carpet
as she pirouettes her dress
--Madhuri Pillai, Australia
Votes: 11**** Score:3
Comments:


13
hands behind my back…
my father notes
his father’s style
--Michael OBrien
Votes: *2**** Score:4
Comments:


14
moonlit night
words dance across the pages
poetry with style
--Celestine Nudanu
Votes: 2***** Score:2
Comments:



RECEIVED LATE AFTER VOTING HAD ALREADY STARTED
green gyokuro
growing in the shades-
a Japanese style
--Precious Oboh, Nigeria
Votes:Sorry; received to late for the voting list
Comments: Players are encouraged to add any comments about this haiku at blog-comments



CONGRATULATIONS to Gabriel; Franklin Magalhaes has pledged a copy of his book Just A Moment; which he will post by snail mail, to the winner of this Kukai.