Howard Kilby and 1st place haiku winner, Andrew Newman.
By Lana Pierce
Poet Howard Lee Kilby is well known for his quiet demeanor and soft voice. Respected internationally for his haiku, he is known in Hot Springs for his calm, reverent personality. But that same soft voice has commanded the attention of thousands or a handful, depending on the venue and the occasion.
As president of the Arkansas Haiku Society, Kilby recently welcomed haiku winner, Andrew Newman, to the stage during the Arkansas Cherry Blossom Festival. He won first and second place honors in the adult division of the festival’s Haiku contest. Taking the stage in full samurai armor, Newman spoke of his interest in haiku poetry and Japanese culture. He describes haiku as an art form using “brevity [that] demands focus on a few essential details… encourages a heightened awareness of the present moment. Even amidst chaos, a haiku can offer a moment of clarity.”
Third place, student winner, Jasper Norman, celebrated his 12th birthday standing on the stage at the festival, reciting his winning poem. His family drove from Fayetteville, Arkansas, to participate in the Arkansas Cherry Blossom Festival Haiku Contest.
Kilby invites the public to participate in the Haiku Club, which meets the first Friday of every month at the GC Library, at 1427 Malvern Avenue, Hot Springs, from 2-4 PM. For information, contact William “Captain Billy” Sayles at 808-463-5575 or email captsails@aol.com.
The 2025 Arkansas Cherry Blossom Festival Haiku Contest Winners
ADULT
First Place – Andrew Newman
Eastern pink blossoms
Spring time calling out to me,
My mind turns to home
Second Place – Andrew Newman
the fleeting moments,
are passing right on by me,
leaves carried by wind
Third Place – Veresa Lopez
Tiny hands, crack eggs
Miss the bowl, laugh, lick the spoon
Nana’s recipe
STUDENT
First Place -Karsen Sledge
Wind blows right through you,
Blossoms drift across the sky,
Just for a moment
Second Place -Aubrey Kosinski
Gentle rain falls down,
hooves echo on muddy trails,
clouds embrace the earth
Third Place- Jasper Norman
The sun is rising
leafless trees outlined by light,
pale clouds glide smoothly
