Friday Poem

Environmental & Science Education, Poetry, Art & Environment

Ed Hessler

Tntroduction to the following poems, 20 haiku from the 2023 Whole Life Soaps Haiku Contest reads:

The contest theme presented this question: how does nature reflect aging and the cycle of life?

William McConnell the founder and contest judge noted that 2023 "received over 300 entries by mail and an additional 600 online. The idea of having a haiku (the winner) published on a bar of soap is a unique and appealing element. ... I believe that the notion of seeing one's writing wash off the body and down the drain is a conceit that very few people will experience over time, but that writers, nonetheless, strive for. It's good clean fun."

Here are the top 20, with numbers 20 - 11 in no particular order and numbers 10 - 1 "in a specific order for adhering to the theme. ... These are (McConnell's) favorites, in order, with number one being this year's winner. The poems and the name of each author are included. The winner receives $100 and the haiku is imprinted on a special line of soap, available September 1 through December 31.

If you would like to see that soap, Rattle Poetry, a sponsor of the contest includes a photo in their daily poetry entry - the winner - for August 17.

Whole Life Soaps (Wrightwood CA) products are found here. There is a map at the bottom of that page. Also at the bottom of the page you will find information about the owner in a description of the 2023 Haiku contest.