For the fifth year in a row, WYDaily has asked its readers to get in touch with their creativity for our annual Holiday Haiku contest.
This year’s entries proved not only does cleverness abound among our readers, but a tradition has been set. Several readers ended their email submissions with a kind note about how sitting down to come up with a haiku or two has become a favorite holiday tradition. For us, reading all the submissions has also become a favorite tradition, so we thank you all for taking the time.
Now on to the 2013 winner.
This year’s choice mixed humor with a recurring news story in the Historic Triangle over the past year: People driving cars into buildings. Thankfully, the drivers who ran their cars into the Citizens & Farmers Bank, the U.S. Post Office, the Westgate Resorts and the Williamsburg Pottery, emerged relatively unscathed. Our articles on the incidents seem to have made a lasting impression for our winner, S. Sopsny.
Hit gas, forgot brakes
Ran into post office wall
Be careful Santa!
Congratulations to S. Sopsny, who has won four tickets to see the Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s presentation of “Classical Mystery Tour: A Tribute to the Beatles” at their Thursday, Feb. 6 evening performance at the Ferguson Center for Performing Arts; a $35 gift certificate for MEGA Auto Spa; and a round of golf for two at Williamsburg National.
A haiku from Mish Kara that reflected on how Christmas wishes change over time fell just shy of edging out the winning haiku:
When I was quite small
I wanted dolls, toys and books
Now it’s peace, that’s all.
Another favorite for our staff came from Robin Land, who also tapped into the sentimental aspect of the Christmas spirit.
Red wooly sweater
Knitted by aged gnarled hands
Wrapped in Christmas love
Wellesley Legier haiku found the humor in some of the more frustrating parts of the holiday season.
O where O where can
that one bulb be, hidden so
deeply in that tree.
Many more received votes from our staff, and we wanted to share them with our readers. Enjoy, and thanks again for playing!
The tree is tilted
Perfection overrated
Eggnog works wonders
-Priscilla Culkowski
Hustle and bustle
Cards, presents, decorations
The real reason lost
-Priscilla Culkowski
Merrily we sing
Off key but with great gusto
Our attempts bring joy
-Priscilla Culkowski
Eggnog in my glass
A Christmas toast on my lips
No one’s listening
-C.A. Downing
Christmas is here, y’all
Do people still give fruitcakes?
I sure hope not. Peace!
-Petrina Copes
Charlie Brown was right.
Christmas is too commercial
Snoopy wins. Good grief.
-Petrina Copes
Children Counting Down
Good Behavior? Check it Twice
He’s coming, Be Nice!
-Alisa Frost
Holding hands in snow
Sweet kiss under mistletoe
Christmas season love
-Robin Land
Yule log crackling bright.
Warmth of family and friends
Christmas eyes glow bright
-Robin Land
Dove pecks at my door;
we exchange festive greetings:
Holiday Hi! Coo!
-Tina McCloud
Driving by homes bright,
looking in glass warm bustling,
anticipation
-Wellesley Legier
Tree in the playpen.
Grand baby comes to visit.
Santa’s toys galore!
-Connie Bland
Relatives visit.
Uncle Jim’s ugly sweater
Wins the party prize.
-Connie Bland
Carols in the aisles.
Rampant commercialism.
Yet sing we joyous!
-Janet O’Connell
Just not feeling it?
Do something for someone else
Their joy, becomes yours.
-Karen Williams