indianKUKAI #52

 

The 2nd PLACE

 

Cristian Matei

first light —

the barbed wire

dew drops

 

https://www.trivenihaikai.in/post/indiankukai-52-results

THF Monthly Kukai — January 2026

 

HONORABLE MENTION

 

Dan C. Iulian

 

divorce —

the lingering

ring mark

    

Beverly Acuff Momoi (THF Monthly Kukai Commentator): The echoes of “lingering” in “ring” are especially effective here, and with just five words, a bigger and more painful story is intimated. Divorce leaves a mark that lasts far longer than the actual event. Well done.

 

https://thehaikufoundation.org/thf-monthly-kukai-february-2026/

Songbirds Waka Anthology 2026

dry flowers -

whispering I might leave 

tomorrow 

a last cup of water

 

on the windowsill for you

Lavana Kray

Mainichi - Haiku in English: Jan. 7, 2026

 what's left

of warriors' breath ...

autumn mist

--

Cezar Ciobica (Botosani, Romania)

Selected by Dhugal J. Lindsay

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20251225/p2g/00m/0su/013000c

Results of December 2025 THF Monthly Kukai

 theme: bag

Honorable Mentions

coming home

in the soldier's bag

forget-me-not seeds

     — Mircea Moldovan

 

What is the story behind the forget-me-not seeds in the soldier’s bag? We don’t know. But they represent the hope that someone who is no longer with us will not be forgotten. That’s at the heart of this haiku.

https://thehaikufoundation.org/thf-monthly-kukai-january-2026/?fbclid=IwY2xjawPErUJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeRze9yGIpMw3eM3hVOgNNJlp-jK-RPi5-Qi1f0a9vyZeI6mB-5u5ZHzMM2Mw_aem_uqMmgHi4JAJoIYA1D04uwQ

Good Cheer - Kudos - Gillena Cox - comentariu haiku

 good cheer

 silent night

a carol reverberates

among refugees

--Cezar Florescu, Botoșani/ Romania

This poem offers readers a juxtaposition allowing them to reflect on what is happening, as well as on what the message is. 

We can see a very good contrast, between a tradition of the winter holidays and the harsh reality of being a refugee. The carol brings them comfort in an unknown place. At the same time, the silence can also mean peace, suggesting that the refugees have found comfort in a new land. 

The first line can refer to the well known carol, or the night could literally be silent. If the night is literally silent, then we can see a coincidence and a play upon words, since we hear a carol, which could be one other than Silent Night, among the refugees.

 The winter holidays are a time when we have a high sense of hope, which is reflected in the way in which the night grows silent, as if sympathizing with the refugees, and wishing to offer them a magical moment. 

Review by Ana Irina

https://kuudoos.blogspot.com/2025/12/good-cheer.html

Caribbean Kigo Kukai - Christmas Kukai December 2025

 FIRST PLACE

17

silent night

a carol reverberates

among refugees

--Cezar Florescu, Botoșani/ Romania

VOTES: 323***SCORE:16

COMMENT 1:This haiku reminds us that for hundreds of millions of people, a small, cold stable is still a dream.

COMMENT 2:The silence in this haiku feels like one of fear and watchfulness; having to deliberately keep still and hush lest they get caught, and/or infers to loss and deprivation - - in the wind floats the distant sounds of singing of only those more favoured. 

COMMENT 3:Hope in these dreadful times

COMMENT 4: deeply moving without explanation

SECOND PLACE

4

fireworks

our champagne glasses

gather the sparks

--Eduard TARA, ROMANIA

VOTES: 241***SCORE:13

COMMENT 1:A magic moment celebrated by an optical illusion. We wish to believe in magic with the winter holidays.

COMMENT 2:I am looking for simplicity and a feeling of shared joy!

COMMENT 3:quietly haunting

RESULTS CONTINUE

8

Christmas Eve −

on the old village lanes

just the wind carols

--Dan C. Iulian, Romania

VOTES: 121***SCORE:08

COMMENT 1: A charming, fairytale-like haiku where the wind carries the good news.

COMMENT 2: A lovely picture 

11

their giggles - 

a clue to our humming 

“Jingle Bells”

--Ana Drobot (Bucharest, Romania)

VOTES: *11***SCORE:05

COMMENT:

14

Christmas reception -

a row of ants invading

the gingerbread house

--Cristina Pietraru, Romania

VOTES: 1*1***SCORE:04

COMMENT:

https://wwwcaribbeankigokukai.blogspot.com/