Arts Feature

Five Seven Five

The winners of our 19th annual Haiku Contest

After announcing
our yearly haiku contest,
mail and comments rained.

It seems many think
that one must know Japanese
to write a haiku.

It's true: Our letter
systems are vastly different,
our alphabets too.

Japanese: symbols
that represent thoughts. English:
words' meaning ingrained.

In the West we say
syllables are what to count.
In Japan it's on.

Other rules apply
in Japanese haiku, too.
But here's the great thing:

Writers of English
have developed their own style
and sense of timing.

This is our 19th
annual haiku contest,
and talent's been honed.

High school classes to
veteran poets all sent
their offerings in.

Whether a novice,
or you're a professional,
a good choice: haiku.

Hundreds of poems,
turned in yearly, is a sign
we've made something new.

Thanks to all who played
"Alibi Haiku" contest.
Those listed here win.

“Breaking Bad”

Prizes provided by Birdland Costume Rentals.

Skyler always thought
Walter could not hurt a fly
Now she knows better.
(Luann Wolfe)

How many chem nerds
have bought a Winnebago
and tried to cook meth?
(Elena Maietta)

The new guv breaks bad,
saves money by cutting jobs.
No more incentives.
(Steve Bishop)

Local

Prizes provided by ABQ Brew Pub.

Dew point is 40!
I’ve never been so sweaty!
I hate you AC!
(Jason Roach)

Why do fireworks
surround me to celebrate
the state up in flames?
(Jessica Mills)

Where does a man go?
Swept way down an arroyo
in New Mexico.
(RK Grubbs)

Science Fiction / Fantasy

Prizes provided by Garduno Glass Studios.

impossible tricks
the dryer vent is block-ed
socks always escape
(Becky Ramotowski)

The greatest mission
in the Star-Trek universe:
move out of mom’s house.
(Jordan Ganz)

Android irises
dilate as day fades to night.
The third moon waxes.
(Tommi Tejeda)

APD

Prizes provided by Guerrilla Graphix Original T-Shirts & Accessories.

blinking police light
reflections echoing off
the rain-slicked highway
(Richard Fye)

I was just moving
my car, it’s fine, I swear—No
Wait ... Please don’t shoot me.
(Andrea Greenlee)

Her gun aimed steady
his bloodshot approach despite
four commands to stop
(Sidney Childress)

Traditional

Prizes provided by All Seasons Gardening.

The flower ripples—
pond waves burst into blossom,
and the frog stays still.
(Chris Martinez)

Early snow like smoke
drifts up the hill while aspen
ignite the valley.
(Kelly Yenser)

A buck the color
of the slash it stands in still
startles a hunter.
(Kelly Yenser)

Erotic

Prizes provided by Brazilian Waxing Boutique.

My pen, her paper.
My ink between her blank lines.
Our thoughts between words.
(Kerry Bridges)

on knees mesa head
rusty trailer wind tinkles
corduroy imprints
(Rachel Satz)

Whipped cream slowly melts
leaving a trail sticky sweat
for my tongue to find.
(David Bowes)

Food

Prizes provided by Gold Street Caffè.

The Frontier sweet roll
swims in butter on my plate—
ecstasy awaits.
(Ray Tokuda)

Pillows from Heaven,
Soft white clouds absorb flavor,
Japanese Tofu.
(Jared Charley)

Fat, Greasy, Cheap Food
Weird taste, Stinky, Rude workers,
It is McDonald’s.
(Michael Montoya)

Miscellaneous

Prizes provided by La Cumbre Brewing Co.

The day approaches
where you will have to decide:
pirate, or ninja?
(Peter Cornelius)

sold your baseball cards
left your telescope outside
damn your memory
(Rachel Satz)

Hitler was the man
Who took the Chaplin mustache
And made it evil.
(Lynn Ambrosino)

Winners! Come by the Alibi offices (413 Central NW) between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays to claim your prize.