In April, the Water Bureau held a Haiku contest . The topic was the Bull Run Watershed and entries had to follow the standard form of Haiku writing: three short lines with five, seven, and five syllables. We were delighted with all the entries!
Winner: Teri Liberator
Crystal dewdrops drip
From majestic old growth firs
Into creeks and streams
As with the limericks contest I had a tough time picking the haiku that I thought best represented Bull Run and stayed true to the rules of haiku. In a close race, these two should receive "Honorable Mention":
blue so deep and pure
liquid flows through the forest
our source of true life
-Karie Meketa
Bubbling, babbling brooks
Flowing freely to become
Portland’s pristine drink.
-Teri Liberator
Thank you all for contributing. I have no idea what our editor will come up with next, but I am sure it will be interesting and fun. Here are all of the submissions:
Bull Run captures me
The trees, lakes, and solitude
Pure tranquility.
-Bob Goldie
Bull Run water flows
Over stones through old growth trees
Water soothes the soul.
-Bob Goldie
Fir trees, moss, water
of crystalline purity.
We add chemicals.
-James Hagerman
Bull Run, pure as rain
a city grows and thrives a
flowing legacy
-Mike Sheets
Cougars, bears and elk …
If we see then every day,
Are they co-workers?
-Jeff Guard
Gray skies drop wet life
Lush green forest our filter
Deep blue lake our font
-Chris Chambers
The clean water flows
From Bull Run down to Portland
Crisp, cool, refreshment
-Morgan McDonald
Raindrops drop, drop, drop
into the mountains and streams
tasting delicious.
-Susan Sheets
A doe and her fawns
carefully come to the water
cool and clear
-Kathy Casson
Placid, still water,
So pure and so delightful.
It refreshes us.
-Joe Howe
Movement in the woods -
A bear crosses the road here,
And her cubs follow.
-Dawn Pike
We meet a mad grouse.
Defending territory -
We are chased away.
-Dawn Pike
Crystal dewdrops drip
From majestic old growth firs
Into creeks and streams
-Terry Liberator
Bubbling, babbling brooks
Flowing freely to become
Portland’s pristine drink.
-Terry Liberator
Keeping these streams pure
Means managing land with care
Lives depend on it.
-Terry Liberator
Leaves shine emerald
Beneath heavy pearled clouds
Worth more than jewels
-Sarah Petrocine
Mountain Oasis
Pure wonder circle of life
Flowing creation
-Robin Hagedorn
Trivia for you…
Forest to faucet began
Eighteen ninety-five
-Jason Fitzgerald
Huge ecosystem
Absorbs life giving water
And shares with us all
-Lori Lathrom
Raining In Forest
Crystal Clear Liquid Droplets
Faucet Running Life
-Mark De Vore
David Shaff
Administrator (and Haiku Judge)
Photo credit: Customer services billing representative Susan Sheets, Haiku writer, also took this photo of a pool of fresh clear water in a stream.
It looks like we have a lot of poetry writing talent around the bureau. Nice to see this.
Deb P