As part of the 25th Austin International Poetry Festival, I hosted my first ever haiku death match. In the beginning, I was only supposed to host my own spoken word and poetry show, The Austin Writers Roulette. Then, I accepted the offer to host and perform for as an opener for Bucolics Anonymous. Later, I agreed to host this event.
I’d half paid attention to the one haiku death match I watched over a year ago. Like a dutiful Virgo, I looked up the rules, typed them into my phone and then left my phone at home, rushing out the door to arrive at the venue early.
I had two different plans in mind just in case I had a slew of participants or if I hardly had any participants. For the former case, I’d have two poets read one haiku each and have the judges vote one of the pair off the stage in a sudden elimination round. Then when I got to the next round, with hopefully no more than 4 poets, I’d allow them to read more than one in the round to allow the judges to award 1st through 3rd place.
The only female participant, Ailana Larson, signed up first.
Followed by Marsh Muirhead, then the host from the previous AIPF event, Chip Ross.
Just when I thought the judges, who were not associated with the festival, had to merely distinguish places among the three poets, a fourth poet threw his monkey wrench into the ring. Steve Kocen wrote all five of his haikus moments before the competition.
In the meantime, I rounded up four chairs and put them on stage. Once both Chip and Steve had finished their poems, I invited the poets to be seated on stage. First, I introduced them. Then I explained the rules: read one haiku per round for five rounds; then, I’d gather the judges and we’d discuss the order of the winners. One thing I failed to mention, because I hadn’t read it in any of the rules, was that each poet would read his/her haiku twice. I guess that’s common sense, but not for me! I’m more of a limerick and free verse kind of poet.
After five rounds…our fourth place winner was Steve Kocen. Now, I’d just so happen to have brought with me some Peace Corps posters, bookmarks and stickers. As a matter of fact, I’d given both Ailana and Marsh stickers for being prepared and the judges bookmarks and stickers for participating as judges. So, it was only fitting that I gave Steve a poster.
Our third place winner was Ailana Larson. She received her medal, certificate and trophy.
Our second place winner received his bling and even gifted me one of his books of haiku. Then, an amazed Chip Ross received his first place bling.
Now that I have successfully hosted my first haiku death match, I suspect I’ll be asked to do that again unless someone else has a burning desire to do so!