Haiku 2022
2022 HAIKU POETRY
Take a stroll along various downtown Rock Hill sidewalks to discover poetry written by local high school students painted onto the walkways. All poetry was judged by a committee composed of local community members who are experts in recognizing worthy literary contributions.
The poetry form is Haiku, a Japanese form of traditional poetry, which is fun to create but can resonate with profound meaning. The Haiku Project is in its third year, and the original poems can be found in these areas: Elk Avenue, Trade Street Walkway, Cotton Alley, Commerce Alley, and Main Street. Check out previous winners at Haiku 2019 and Haiku 2020.
This year’s poems are specifically located on Caldwell and Hampton Streets with a few on Main Street in front of the Gettys Building.
The Haiku project was the brainchild of the Women’s Art Initiative (WAI). This project furthers WAI’s purpose to fund and support public art in the greater Rock Hill community. Working in collaboration with WAI, the Arts Council of York County contributed funds to support the project. Rock Hill students submitted the poetry entries from area high schools. The Poet Laureate Committee and the York County Library have partnered to celebrate National Poetry Month by sharing these Haiku poems on the library’s Bookmobile and new Sprint van throughout April.
2022 Haiku Winners:
You are the image
Of imperfect perfection
With beautiful flaws
Kemya Brown
SPHS/Dawson
The tree withering
Lone leaf flapping in the wind
Then falls to the ground
Meagan Cooper
SPHS/Dawson
If only time stopped
Let me rest my weary soul
Another day passed
Xin Lin
NWHS/Lehman
grey skies understand.
the sky will turn blue again
and the sun will shine.
Harmoni Hill
SPHS/Dawson
A simple brown leaf
Crevices on its body
Like ones in my palm
Scooter Johnson
SPHS/Dawson
The city’s soft glow
Brings a glimmer in your eye
Breathtaking stillness
Mars Simpson
SPHS/Dawson
My body withdraws,
As the sun slips out of reach,
Comfort of new rays.
Reagan Ware
SPHS/Dawson
“Leafless trees stand tall
As the dying flowers fall
Bringing winter’s sign”
Taniya Watts
SPHS/Dawson
As the leaves breeze by,
I feel my heart beat drumming
As I stand by you.
Jewlius Williams
SPHS/Dawson
Your heart bound by Guilt
Forgive to break free of ache
Forgive to prosper
Hannah Massey
NWHS/Lowenbach
Music within me
Melody and harmony
Ebb and flow daily
Derek Thompson
NWHS/Lehman
