For the sixth consecutive year, the Downtown Tucson Partnership together with the University of Arizona Poetry Center are sponsoring a “Haiku Hike” literary competition. For the second year I have entered.
The theme this year is “Belonging.” The haiku must follow the 5-7-5 syllable count format, and each participant may submit only up to three original haiku.
The twenty winning haiku will be displayed on acrylic signs in planters along Congress Street and Stone Avenue from March 20 to June 1, 2025.
Given the hundreds of entries, I have little chance of winning, but I enjoyed the challenge of creating these short poems on an apt subject in such divisive times.
Here are my three entries.
Monsoons come at last
Slaking our Sonoran thirst
We quaff together
Droughts, floods, snow, heat waves
Vagaries of desert life
We are of this place
Take my hand neighbor
Let us help one another
Together we thrive
And here are two others I wrote on the same theme but decided not to submit.
Our Sonoran home
So beautiful yet so harsh
We need each other
Let’s join hand in hand
Speak with one voice against hate
Evil cannot win
I particularly like the 2nd. The last line is poignant. I wouldn’t be surprised it on the leasto see one of these on one of those planters…
Don’t sell yourself short
You are better than you think
You have what it takes
Thanks. I appreciate the compliment. Affirmation is damened elusive.
I did not like the theme of “belonging” when I first read it, and I discarded many attempts before I came up with the ones I posted. Now that I have thought and written about what belonging means I have changed my mind. It is apt for these divisive times.
One question I want to explore is how to balance the inherent need to belong against the lure of tribalism or sectarianism.
I just realized that your compliment was a haiku! Excellent.
You might consider entering the contest next year.