Ricepaper Magazine Haiku Death Match Winner

I went to the Word Festival and won the first Ricepaper Magazine Haiku Death Match. There were 9 competitors (each competing against one person, then the winner would move to the next round).

In the first round, we had 2 minutes to write a haiku about Tea.

Tea:
My name is Toby
I’m friends with Bremyn Andem
I like to drink tea
– Toby

earl grey tea, hot cup
scald yourself on bergamot
but don’t break the mug
– Andrea

Follow the damp leaves
to the bottom of your cup,future in steeped greens.
– Emily

Hot, cold, spicy sweet
can not get enough of tea
back off get your own
– Sheldon

the first sip of tea
as the phone rings  this morning
will be my last one
– Jessica

In the second round, we had 2 minutes to write a haiku about Lychee.

Lychee:
Lychees are so sweet
They make me tingle with defeat
They are too damn tasty
– Toby

Fruit on your tongue
Satistfied by your lychee
Please man, one more time
– Sheldon

sticky fingers say
you’ve eaten the last lychee
and sweet lips don’t lie
– Jessica

In the final round, the two final opponents had 30 SECONDS (yes, 30 seconds!!!) to write a haiku about Calligraphy. 30 seconds is not a lot of time to write a haiku, let me tell yah!

Calligraphy:
Calligraphy by night
A candle keeps me awake
keep the stars alive
– Sheldon

rubber stamps store
a man says I just picked up
the word “love”
-Jessica

I won first prize! They gave me a super cute trophy. Take a look at my victory picture in the Ricepaper Magazine blog.

The judges were Elaine Woo, Kim Fu and Ricepaper Editor Anna Ling Kaye.