The City of Perth Library and WA Poets Inc. invite you to enter our annual Haiku on Hay Poetry Competition.

The competition opens on Wednesday 1 July and closes on Friday 31 July 2026. One entry per poet will be accepted, open to WA residents only.

Entries will only be accepted via Microsoft Forms link: forms.office.com/r/8m7JtKhwXZ

What is a Haiku?

A haiku is short, non-rhyming poem that is traditional in Japan. Historically haiku consisted of three lines, with five syllables in the first line, seven in the second, and five in the third. Traditional haiku often focused on seasonal changes and nature, capturing a single moment in time.
 
Modern versions of haiku often bend the rules. They might for instance experiment with the structure, changing the syllable count or number of lines, or explore subjects outside of nature. 

You can choose to write a traditional or a modern haiku for this competition. You’ll be judged on how your poem feels, how well it uses brevity to capture a moment in time, and how well it evokes emotion.

Categories:

Prize packs include a book voucher, a book and merchandise. Finalists in all categories will receive certificates.

Primary School (5 to 11 years)
1st prize valued at over $100

Secondary School (12 to 17 years)
1st prize valued at over $100

Young Adult (18 to 25 years)
1st prize valued at $300

Adult (25+ years)
1st prize valued at $300
2nd prize valued at $200
3rd prize valued at $100

Haiku on Hay Terms & Conditions