Haiku Hike Celebrates 6th Year in Downtown Tucson – Submit Your Poems by Monday!

Spring will witness the installation of twenty short poems across Downtown Tucson, as part of the annual Haiku Hike initiative. This year marks its sixth installment, themed “Belonging.”

The Downtown Tucson Partnership, in collaboration with the University of Arizona’s Poetry Center, is spearheading this artistic endeavor. The poems will be displayed on signs along Stone Avenue and Congress Street. Submissions are open until February 3rd.

Crystal Moore, CEO of the Downtown Tucson Partnership, stated, “The Haiku Hike offers a mindful pause, inviting us to reflect on the present moment while surrounded by the energy of the city.” She emphasized the importance of finding beauty in simplicity, especially in the heart of Downtown Tucson.

To participate, contributors must adhere to the traditional haiku format of 5-7-5 syllables. Each poet may submit up to three entries.

Tyler Meier, executive director of the Poetry Center, expressed excitement about collaborating once more on the annual contest. “There’s great power in a community thinking about big ideas together,” he remarked. Meier highlighted the significance of belonging for both the cultural vibrancy of Tucson and personal experiences.

He added, “We hope the theme this year helps create the conditions for more belonging in our city, and reminds us of how and why belonging matters.”

The poems will be evaluated by Tucson’s poet laureate, TC Tolbert. Notably, last year’s winners are ineligible to compete again this year, as stated on the Downtown Partnership’s website. Submissions are accepted exclusively online.

After the 20 selected haikus are installed on acrylic signs on planters around Downtown in late March, they will remain on display until June 1. The Downtown Tucson Partnership notes that the Haiku Hike comprises approximately 1,000 steps, offering a unique way to explore the city center. Last year’s theme, “Serenity,” drew more than 2,000 submissions, with nearly 1,400 from local residents and contributions from 29 states and 27 countries.