Tired of spam haiku? Here’s your chance to fight for a meatless alternative!

The Tofu Haiku poetry contest is a celebration of the coming together of two of this world’s greatest forms: the classical poetic form of haiku and the ancient culinary marvel known through the ages as tofu.

Hungry poets/ a new challenge sprouts/ in the spring grass. The Tofu Haiku poetry contest is a celebration of the classical poetic form of haiku, and the ancient culinary marvel known as tofu.

Hosted by the Toronto Vegetarian Association, the contest will be judged by some well-known members of Canada's literary and vegetarian communities.

"We're excited to have such a great panel of Canadian experts and personalities," says Kathleen Farley, Executive Director. "Many people know John K. Samson from Canadian indie rock band The Weakerthans, but he's also two-time champion of Canada Reads [CBC’s annual literature competition]."

Judges also include Brock University professor and poet Gregory Betts, expat haiku writer and editor Michael Dylan Welch, Toronto-based performance poet Jill Binder, and Vancouver author Sarah Kramer.

Although the contest is a departure from TVA's usual activities, it's not a surprising one. "People know us as the organizers of Toronto's Annual Vegetarian Food Fair," says Kathleen. "This contest has the same celebratory purpose. People are sick of spam haiku, and this contest promotes a healthier, more delicious alternative!"

See Contest Rules
The contest opens March 12; deadline for entries is May 21, 2007.

More details are available on tofuhaiku.com. Winning submissions will receive tofu-related clothing, publications, and food products. The best Tofu Haiku will be published on tofuhaiku.com.

Image from tofuhaiku.com