Celebrate with the Haiku Contest winners on the Haiku Hike: Sunday, May 5, 12:30 to 2 PM
See the Hillside Festival page for more details!
See the Hillside Festival page for more details!
Winning entries 2024
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CHILDREN
FIRST PLACE
Violet Z. (age 9) Open space, nature sitting in the warmth then ladybugs flutter SECOND PLACE
Zora W. (age 11) Fog covers the hills Water drips off of the leaves The sun peeks through clouds THIRD PLACE
Clara L. (3rd grade) Flowers dot the ground Beside them are tall, strong trees They sway in the breeze HONORABLE MENTION
Leila M. (age 9) The leaf is beautiful green The leaf grows beautifully through the year I grow with the leaf Vertical Divider
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YOUTH
FIRST PLACE
Yannick C. (age 13) hawks soaring high above tree’s leaves blowing with the breeze memories hurt and sting SECOND PLACE
Zoe M. (age 15) Hundred shades of green Birds are singing around us Now I feel at peace THIRD PLACE
Ida W. (age 13) Everyday it rains, White petals pirouetting through the air, Onto my plaited hair. HONORABLE MENTION
Toshi C. (age 14) wind blows in my face it gets darker I quicken my pace me and my brother race Vertical Divider
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ADULT
FIRST PLACE
Rinda Wardle Every day we hike Muscle heart and mind up hills Breathing in the view SECOND PLACE
Sydny Fujita yellow eyes open on the brief green slope of spring old oaks watch and sigh THIRD PLACE
Marina Sergeyeva Busy ants, carrying Water back home, walk around Sweet, deadly berries HONORABLE MENTION
Kristel Rietesel-Low Buckeye butterfly Suddenly lupine blooming, You are eye to eye |
Trail Trekkers gives a big thanks to the judges of the 2023 contest, who included:
- Jenny Hammer. Local writer, taught English at City College of San Francisco for thirty years.
- Melissa Hobbs. Local writer.
- Eevelyn Mitchell. Former Poet Laureate of El Cerrito.
Haiku Contest and Hike Return!
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Haiku Contest: Our annual haiku contest is a popular feature every year.
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Haiku Hike: Sunday, May 5, 12:30 to 2 PM
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Let your poems be inspired by your experiences in the Hillside Natural Area, to celebrate the annual El Cerrito Trail Trekkers Hillside Festival. Classical Japanese Haiku includes: the season; the place; the transitory nature of life; suffering; the surprise moment. 17 syllables in 5-7-5 format is not strictly required. See the examples in the feature box. You do not need to be an El Cerrito resident to enter. |
An ancient pool A frog jumps in The sound of water. --Matsuo Basho. The neighing horses are causing echoing neighs in neighboring barns. --Richard Wright |
More details on the Haiku Contest
Age categories: 1) 18 and over; 2) 13-17; 3) 12 and under.
A panel of three local poets will select winners. Winners will be awarded gift certificates to El Cerrito Natural Grocery and/or Jenny K Gifts. First prize in each age category: $50 gift certificate. Second and third prize in each age category: $20 gift certificate. Fourth place in each category will earn honorable mention.
Submit up to three poems by email, to [email protected], between February 15, 2024 and April 10, 2024 (deadline has been extended to this date). Include your name, email, phone number, and age if 12 or under, or 13- 17. Children 12 and under, please ask your parent or guardian about entering the contest beforehand.
All haiku entries will be celebrated on the Trail Trekkers web site (children will be listed only by first name & first initial of last name). New submissions are posted every few days.
Winners will be announced April 17th, 2024, and recognized on the website and in the Trekker Newsletter. Awards will be given out and poets will read their haiku on the haiku hike through the Hillside Area on May 5.
Age categories: 1) 18 and over; 2) 13-17; 3) 12 and under.
A panel of three local poets will select winners. Winners will be awarded gift certificates to El Cerrito Natural Grocery and/or Jenny K Gifts. First prize in each age category: $50 gift certificate. Second and third prize in each age category: $20 gift certificate. Fourth place in each category will earn honorable mention.
Submit up to three poems by email, to [email protected], between February 15, 2024 and April 10, 2024 (deadline has been extended to this date). Include your name, email, phone number, and age if 12 or under, or 13- 17. Children 12 and under, please ask your parent or guardian about entering the contest beforehand.
All haiku entries will be celebrated on the Trail Trekkers web site (children will be listed only by first name & first initial of last name). New submissions are posted every few days.
Winners will be announced April 17th, 2024, and recognized on the website and in the Trekker Newsletter. Awards will be given out and poets will read their haiku on the haiku hike through the Hillside Area on May 5.