The Haiku Foundation Monthly Kukai

THF Kukai Overview

A kukai is a (usually quite casual) poetry contest. The administrator of the kukai (that’s us) assigns a theme for a given writing period and posts to Troutswirl (The Haiku Foundation blog) on the THF site, which is then redirected outward through our various media outlets. Poets write work to this theme during the allotted time and submit it to the administrator. The work submitted is gathered into an anonymous ballot and posted to Troutswirl (The Haiku Foundation blog) for public viewing. At that time all participating poets and other interested readers may vote for their favorites. Votes are tallied and the results made public. The top winners will be acknowledged each month, and offered their choice of prizes from a list compiled by the Foundation.

Submission calendar

On the first (1st) day of each month The Haiku Foundation will announce the kukai theme. Poets will be able to submit their work from that time until midnight (east coast time) on the fifteenth (15th) of the month.

Voting calendar

On the eighteenth (18th) day of each month an anonymous ballot comprising all submitted poems on that month’s theme will be posted. Participants will be able to vote at that time until midnight (east coast time) on the twenty fourth (24th) of the month.

Good luck, and have fun!