HaikuJAM

Here’s what happened when Haiku met Tinder

In today’s age of Tinder, does poetry still have a role to play in modern day romance? To find out, the HaikuJAM community has been crowdsourcing haiku chat-up lines (#HaiKutie) for a group of men and women on Tinder. 

Nicholas Wong is a seriously cool jammer from Kuala Lampur, Malaysia! He’s involved in a very interesting poetry project and this is his JAM:

Well, my name is Nicholas, I'm a KL-ite currently in my final year of uni. I've always been very proficient in the English language, but I only started writing poetry around 3 years ago. I actually fancy myself a storyteller, and I hope to write novels for a living one day.

I wrote poetry very sporadically before I started Almostpoetic - usually whenever I was in love or when I fell out of love. I started this project because I was stuck in a rut and I wanted to do something I could be proud of. I post at least one poem a day to the page, and the challenge is to do this for all of 2015. I also accept submissions (subject to moderation), to encourage more people to try out the art and to meet other poets out there. Today is Day 93, and we've posted a grand total of 140 poems to date.

Oh, poor crying sky Who are you missing tonight? "My stars," she replied

Endless Rain By Nicholas, Beatrice & Dhru

Beatrice Bock is one of our awesome jammers from Malaysia. She’s a beautiful singer and this is her JAM:

From the humble lands of Malaysia, where rainy days disappear more often than planes do, Beatrice is a part time writer, part time musician and full time living. feeling person.

Oh, poor crying sky Who are you missing tonight? "My stars," she replied

Endless Rain By Nicholas, Beatrice & Dhru

Clarissa Ramos is from New York and we met her through the HaikuJAM app. She’s an unbelievable singer and this is her JAM: 

My name is Clarissa. I was born with love and music in my bones. For a long time, I buried my deep desire to create music because I felt that I wasn't good enough; and I was scared that I would be rejected and ridiculed by others. I was scared to be myself and the more I supressed my true nature, the more confused and self destructive I became. I felt like an outcast, a robot and a loser because I was operating from that place of fear. I wanted to know who I really was. I wanted to be free, to be myself.

I always had complex thoughts and feelings that I could never fully understand. It felt overwhelming. Through writing, I learned to express my deepest emotions. Those complex thoughts and feelings that clogged my being would burst out of me into a creative storm, leaving permanent markings of a puzzle that once lived inside. When I write, I instantly feel a sense of relief. Creating music adds dimension to the expressions of my soul. Emotions are fleeting and it’s important to capture those moments that make up your life. It’s in feelings rarely expressed, that we can see ourselves in others and allow them into our heart. Music and poetry are my open diaries.

I struggled for a long time with finding my place in the world until I realized that there wasn’t a place to find. The destination is the journey and we are all here as creators with beautiful gifts to share with one another along the way.

I have a deep love for humanity and I want to share myself through my music, poetry, and writings in hopes that they may inspire others to identify with and explore uncharted pieces of themselves.

Do what makes you happy!

​Love,

Clarissa

The pursuit of sound To catch the real essence of The voice from within

Music By Dhru, Barbara & Clarissa

HaikuJAM is a collaborative haiku-writing experience! On Saturday 22nd March, over lots of loose-leaf tea, Londoners will write haiku together at The Poetry Café in Covent Garden. A few fine artists will also illustrate some of the haiku collaborations!

At 3pm, the session will begin- we will provide all the necessary instructions and materials (pens, cards and perhaps a few other surprises…) on the day.

Briefly however, we are expecting around 50 attendees and these fine people will JAM together- Tom of Finchley will set a haiku theme and write the first line; Waterloo’s Sally will add the second line and Covent Garden’s very own Judith completes the collaboration with the magical third and final line… And this process continues in a relaxed and informal environment over lots of drinks!

All you need to bring with you is your creative spirit and enthusiasm. So please don’t worry if you are not a seasoned Haiku Ninja or if this is the very first time you’re even hearing about haiku. The experience is intended for people from very different walks of life with very different stories to tell.

Today the Jaipur JAM competition draws to a wholesome close! We are very grateful to Judith Palmer, Director at the Poetry Society, for judging the final shortlisted entries.

"I think I was drawn to the poems which opened up and took the reader somewhere new, rather than tying off with a sense of summary. It's great isn't it, how much narrative, imagery and intrigue, you can pack into 17 syllables!" - Judith Palmer 

Here are the two winning collaborations, along with her comments: 

Smiling as I read Socrates writes from Athens Asking for Euros

Letter from Greece Karl, Ben & Andy

"I did indeed smile as I read Karl, Ben and Andy's 'Letter from Greece'; probably the first haiku inspired by 'stranded traveller' email scams – and I'm going to put this in my top spot!" - Judith Palmer 

A smart little quip  With beautiful symmetry  Serendipitous 

Haiku Chris, Ben & Aakriti

"This one's so metrically and aurally satisfying, with lovely sound patterning, that it's got to be a winner." - Judith Palmer

And here is the highly commended runner-up JAM: 

What if you said yes You agreed to spend your life  With no possessions

If Matt, Kaustuv & Aakriti

"Nicely poised with the last line's 'no' mirroring that initial 'yes'." - Judith Palmer

We are delighted to announce the final shortlist of our Jaipur JAM competition! Our judging panel is currently reviewing these entries and the winners will be announced very soon. Thank you to everyone who participated!

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I went to the bar Love was nowhere to be found Though always on sale

Love Sooyeon, Prabha & Sondos

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Neon lights to monks Sticky rice with sweet mangoes You can't thai me down

Bangkok Sangam, Aakriti & Ben

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Smiling as I read Socrates writes from Athens Asking for Euros

Letter from Greece Karl, Ben & Andy

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Foggy stories lost Rekindled by the photos Crushed by dementia

Memories Matt, Aakriti & Ben

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What if you said yes You agreed to spend your life With no possessions

If Matt, Kaustuv & Aakriti

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Midst of consciousness Narrating the secret tales Of past lives gone by

Trance Andy, Aakriti & Matt

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Four grey elephants Under the African sky Sat on a hunter

Paradise Aakriti, Dhrupad & Chris

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Signs of survival Memories of darker times Badges of courage

Scars Aakriti, Kanta & Marianne

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Window of spirit Fastening frayed connections As I look within

Postcard Matthew, Sondos & Vatsal

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A smart little quip  With beautiful symmetry  Serendipitous