Writing The Unofficial OB Haiku Contest

[Mnemolth]

Okay folks, as many have lamented the falling popularity of this forum, I thought I'd do something to spice things up a little. Something fun and challenging at the same time. But having learnt my lesson from RPW and the Seven project that never got off the ground, this is [i]simple and easy[/i] to get into.

Haiku. :)

Everyone can do it. Few of us can do it well, but we don't really care about that here, so just dive in and have some fun! :D

This post may be a little bit on the long side, but you really only ave to read it once because the rules are [i]really, really, REALLY[/i] easy to follow. So please bear with me.

[b]What is Haiku?[/b]

"Haiku is a Japanese verse form that relies on brevity and simplicity to convey its message. It is usually three lines of five, seven, and five syllables, and frequently includes natural images or themes. It is believed to have been first written in the seventeenth century and is based on a Zen Buddhist philosophy of simplicity and the idea of perfection that excludes the extraneous." - from [url]www.poetry.com[/url]

Shame on you for not knowing, you guys being anime fans and all. ;)

Here is an example:

Inspirational picture

[img]http://falkor.anu.edu.au/~ely/haiku/example.jpg[/img]


[i]Red sandstone to red
Sand, valley monuments must
Bow to entropy[/i]

Ron Crain
Chula Vista, California

- example from [url]www.poetry.com[/url]

Remember, its 3 lines with a syllable pattern of 5-7-5. Just 3 lines, so it'd be as easy as cake to do this! The challenge is to do it well, but anyone can have a shot, so join in and have some fun! :)

[b]The Game[/b]

And because I like games, I thought I'd make a game out of this. Here's how it works. A picture is put up from the 9 below, and everyone gets to write a haiku on it. Whoever picks the picture gets to decide who the winner for that picture is. The winner then gets to pick their own picture and gets to choose the winner for their picture and so on until all the pictures are done. Simple.

Anyone can play, no need for any registration. Just get into it. You can write as many as you like, you're not limited to one entry.

Note: The judge may write haiku for their round but CANNOT CHOOSE THEMSELVES!

Since I'm starting this thing I'll go first.

I pick picture [b]top left[/b].

[img]http://falkor.anu.edu.au/~ely/haiku/pic1f.jpg[/img] [img]http://falkor.anu.edu.au/~ely/haiku/pic2.jpg[/img] [img]http://falkor.anu.edu.au/~ely/haiku/pic3.jpg[/img]

[img]http://falkor.anu.edu.au/~ely/haiku/pic4.jpg[/img] [img]http://falkor.anu.edu.au/~ely/haiku/pic5.jpg[/img] [img]http://falkor.anu.edu.au/~ely/haiku/pic6.jpg[/img]

[img]http://falkor.anu.edu.au/~ely/haiku/pic7.jpg[/img] [img]http://falkor.anu.edu.au/~ely/haiku/pic8.jpg[/img] [img]http://falkor.anu.edu.au/~ely/haiku/pic9.jpg[/img]



[b][size=5]Picture for the Round[/size][/b]

[img]http://falkor.anu.edu.au/~ely/haiku/haiku1.jpg[/img]


As you can see, pictures that have already been chosen/used are 'faded out' and the picture that is in play is shown in a bigger size for greater clarity.

I will decide the winner, who will then choose a pic which I will load to a larger size. Each Round will only be a few days. mean come on, how long does it take a person to write three lines anyway?? :D

As always with any of my little games, if there is some kind of dispute I have the final say.

[Imaku3564]

hmmm... I'm not much of a poet, but I'll have a go.

Entry #1
A butterfly posed,
Colorfully suspended in
Sweet serenity.

Entry #2
Such delicacy
Needs not a perturbation;
One is left in awe.

Gah... poetry--the one excuse for me to sound lame.

[Lady Asphyxia]

[img]http://falkor.anu.edu.au/~ely/haiku/haiku1.jpg[/img]

[color=darkred][size=1]Contrasting colours
Warn us all that this little
One is off limits.[/color][/size]

[prestongraff]

butterfly: a flying tiger with a brain a small as a spider

[Mnemolth]

Bright and black and orange
this picture still butterfly
floats on green of Spring

[Heaven's Cloud]

[color=indigo]Heh, this is like the fifth Haiku contest/game thread since I've been here...maybe one will finally last

A gentle flutter
from her celestial wings
ignites perfection

[/color]

[JJ]

Sitting peacefully
Not making a sound
Stiring the soul for love evermore

[Mitch]

[center][img]http://falkor.anu.edu.au/~ely/haiku/haiku1.jpg[/img]
[size=1][font=rockwell][color=black][/center] Reached for the secret soon
Wings fly it's been always the same
Green-red wings say through

Gah. -.-

[b][center][size=3]...[/size][/center][/b]

Green; red; black; shine
I took her wing; took a fly
Fell down; fell in time

I hate Haikus; I've always been horrible at them. Eh. Oh well..[/color][/size][/font]

[conpiracymonki]

[b][size=1]
Miniature tiger
spreading on a den of green;
Serene butterfly.[/b]

Bleh. -.<[/size]

[Mnemolth]

For picture :-

[img]http://falkor.anu.edu.au/~ely/haiku/haiku1.jpg[/img]

Imaku Entry #1 wins.

A butterfly posed,
Colorfully suspended in
Sweet serenity.


Tag, you're it. Pick a pic.

Here are useful links for Haiku writing:

[url=http://www.millikin.edu/haiku/aha/harr.html#response]This is a rather harsh and rigid set of rules, but some of them can be helpful, just don't feel compelled to follow every single one as if it was carved in stone.[/url]

[url=http://www.haikuhut.com/Haiku%20Definition.htm]Great place to start to read about Haiku. Contains lots of fascinating and helpful resource links[/url]

[url=http://www.haikai.info/articles/swede.definition.html]An awesome overview of the English Haiku form. Must read for the devoted.[/url]