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Friday, May 13, 2011

it's time, again

(I posted this yesterday, but it vanished. I’ve no idea why.)

Spring has been slow in coming to Minnesota this year, but finally, it's here. The plants in the garden have begun to fill out, the grass is green, and even our spindly Maple in the front yard has sprouted leaves. All of this means that it is time, yet again, for the annual Mother Words haiku contest.

For those of you who are new to Mother Words, I launched the annual contest in 2008, when Zoë was just a couple of months old and I developed a raging case of mastitis. D was traveling, so I was on my own, juggling an infant and a four-year-old. It wasn’t pretty, people. You can read more about that here.

But from my experience with mastitis, the annual Mother Words haiku contest was born.

This year, the subject of the haiku contest will be (drumroll please): surprise. What has surprised you most about motherhood? What surprises you about parenting your specific child? (Take this any direction you like.)

I’m very excited to announce that Caroline Grant, editor-in-chief of Literary Mama and co-editor of the wonderful anthology Mama PhD, has agreed to be the judge this year. And in addition to the $10 amazon gift card that I’ll send to the winner, Caroline will send a copy of Mama PhD!

I love funny haiku, but anything goes. Just remember 5 - 7 - 5. Put your haiku in the comments section below. The deadline is Monday, May 23rd!

Come on and haiku today!

32 comments:

Ironmom (Julie) said...

OK, diapers, sure.
But this is ridiculous.
There's poop everywhere!

Sadly, this is a true story. Thanks for the contest!

Sarah said...

Give me board books strewn
and dripping, bright paint projects—
mess!—a sign of joy.

Kara said...

Three girls, now a boy.
Trucks, cars, trains and planes delight.
And sparkly red shoes.

kate hopper said...

I'm loving these, ladies. Keep them coming.

Kaethe said...

Spring clucking forward
and the will of my toddler
a lake of iron

Katie said...

depression sneaks in
warm and soft my baby boy
i don't deserve him

caro said...

Give birth, sleep, stand up.
What's that tumbling down my leg?
Lemon-sized blood clot.

Claire said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Tami said...

My daughter so grown,
at twelve, a transformation;
I watch with wonder.

Pia said...

Heheh!! I hope I can post more than one! But here is my first:


my self fades away
as he becomes the center
that I rotate round

Claire said...

Who would have thought it?
Grocery shopping alone.
This old chore's a gift.

Carrie said...

I wrote 4 Haikus. They are chronological and can be read individually or as a set.....

Pink plus sign, Oh shit
Should I keep it, Oh my God
Sweet son at my breast

Attempt at homeschool
Toddlers, naked, too much fun
Roll in olive oil

Oldest, car keys, prom
Pre-teens tangled close behind
Toddler loves chickens

Son at college far
Leaves a void in family's soul
Can't wait for summer

Carrie said...

Oops. The plural of Haiku is Haiku. My apologies.

darcie said...

you guys I love these!! LOVE them!! I haven't written a Haiku since, well, elementary school - I thought I could but reading the rest...wow! you girls are GOOD!

Anonymous said...

Just one more minute
Please can I have attention?
Yes, my trying love


so fun, Kate!!!
hope you are well-
Kris

kate hopper said...

I love these all so much. I'm so glad I'm not the judge. Keep them coming!

Unknown said...

they are energy
enamored of company
we as much as they

Unknown said...

and one more, this one with a title:
Motherhood surprise:
Redefine passion!
Ambassador skills advance
my new PhD


thanks Kate! This was so much fun!!

Tami said...

This is really fun, Kate! I am have been thinking in haiku now for the last few days!

Karla said...

Tears come easy now;
Pride I've never felt before
My spring-time babies

Kim said...

Lusty open lips
Eagerly seek fake nipple
Rejection stings me.

Pia said...

Here is another:


My deep fear, Autism.
Isn't as bad as I dreamed
My little man glows

Unknown said...

A new baby now
So you and Dad still do it
My lunch crowd's grossed out

Anonymous said...

Hasty Haiku flows
You sit on my lap, content
Teletubbies sing.


:)

Chryselle

Unknown said...

Forgot to include title of my haiku. It would be something like "When Your 18 Year Old Shares the Blessed News at His High School Lunch Table"

Kristine said...

little boy, not mine
takes my breath away in gusts
step love, grown fiercer

Merle said...

Daily five-year-old's rage
leaves dead and wounded feelings.
Remorseful kisses.

Lisa said...

Cow-licked blond hair boy
Billy-goat on my shoulder
My life is a zoo

Lisa said...

He has brain damage...
But he runs and skips and laughs
Constant dance party!

kate hopper said...

Keep them coming! These are wonderful! You have until midnight tonight to post. I'm sorry to those of you who have had trouble commenting. If you can't post for some reason, e-mail me at katehopper (at) msn (dot) com, and I'll post for you.

Suze said...

Sammy's Take on Toilet Training

Oh! I'm not hiding.
I DON'T need to poop right now,
Just...don't...look...at...meee

kate hopper said...

These are from Francesca, e-mailed to me before midnight last night:

God's Gift
Lower cancer rates
Good for mom; good for baby
Suck! Suck! ¡Mas Leche!

Mood Swing
Frightened with the first
Now pregnant with the second
Complete elation

Lemonade Stand
Lunchtime, balmy day
Lemonade, rice krispy treats
Fifty cents a pop