Haiku Newton and our sponsor,
Newton Community Pride, were delighted by the wonderful poems that were submitted to this year's contest.
Congratulations to the 2024 winners:
Sarah Berkland, Mark Bernstein, Sebastian Chrobak, Ralph Culver, Julia and Hugh Dun Rappaport, Ravi Kiran, Vandana Parashar, Nancy Gagnon, Margaret Geller, Ellie Goldberg, Linda Goldman, Melinda Gordon, Ayan Gupta, Rachel Hershfang, Warren Kaplan, Rowan Koppenheffer, Jim Krosschell, Kerry Loughman, Chris O’Carroll, Rick Reibstein, Anna Tackie, and Anonymous.
A complete set of the winning poems was displayed on signs in front of the Newton Free Library throughout the month of May. A partial set was installed at the John M. Barry Boys and Girls Club of Newton, and a few signs were displayed at Trio and at the Austin Street Plaza in Newtonville.
For the month of June, signs from the library were moved to the First Baptist Church, at 88 Beacon Street (first and second photos). Signs from the Boys and Girls Club were moved to Little Luke's Cafe, 1225 Chestnut Street in Newton Upper Falls (third photo). Signs remained at Trio, 845 Washington Street, and at the Austin Street Plaza in Newtonville.
In early July, signs were installed at the Suzuki Music School in Newton, 1615 Beacon Street, They will remain at that location until the end of July.
If you couldn't view the signs in person, you can enjoy many of the poems below, along with writer bios.
Toward the end of this summer we will share more photos and an online anthology that includes all the poems we received from a variety of writers including students, Newton neighbors, established writers, and poets who live halfway around the world.
We hope this project helps people experience the delight and beauty of poetry in unexpected ways. We're pleased that several passersby have already told us how inspired and uplifted they felt after seeing the colorful signs and reading the vibrant poems.
Check back soon for more updates.