Alberta Spring Haiku Contest

March 20, 2025 - the official first day of Spring. Yet I just drove to work with snow on the ground. This dichotomy used to cause me grief until I started to take note of the small local changes in season and appreciate natures more subtle brushstrokes.

This practice was one of the inspirations of “Nom Chomp”, our upcoming video game where the Nom makes their way through painted landscapes representing Alberta’s seasons.Following the inspiration of seasons has led to us to the art of Haiku. This form of poetry historically includes allusions to the seasons and we would like to incorporate a poem at the end of each round of gameplay.

The challenge for this competition is to write a traditional or modern haiku (not requiring the 5-7-5 structure) reflecting on your personal experience of ‘Spring in Alberta’. As the Nom moves through the world by eating, additional consideration will be given to poems that reference related terms (such as savouring, tasting, eating, etc.).

The submission period opens May 1, 2025, and will close May 28, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. MST.Each participant may enter only once, submitting a maximum of two original, self-authored haiku via email to hoby@copperkettlegameoworks.ca . Please submit unpublished work.

There will be one official winner and four honourable mentions chosen by the crew at Copper Kettle with the guidance of Haiku author Tim Sampson. Winners will be notified by e-mail in early June and then publicly announced June 5th, 2025.

The official winner will receive: Their poetry featured in the game. Their poetry featured on a printed art poster. A cash prize of $120 CAD. A copy of the game upon release. A copy of the printed art poster Various features across social media.

The four honourable mentions will receive: Their poetry included in the game. A cash prize of $20 CAD Various features across social media.