Ten plus one: our haiku winner joins top Scottish poets

AS PART of Edinburgh's Hogmanay, a series of haikus - three-line poems originally from Japan - on the theme of resolutions were exhibited at the National Gallery, the precinct of which was renamed Resolution Square for the celebrations.

As well as newly commissioned work from ten of Scotland's leading poets (and prose writers), there was a public competition for the 11th slot, in association with Scotland on Sunday and the Scottish Poetry Library. The winner was Pippa Little from Northumberland.

WINNER: PIPPA LITTLE

The cat jouks in

just as you throw wide your door,

moon for a first foot.

ANDREW GREIG

Walking a new shore

Shingle under our old boots

Seems yielding and dear

KATHLEEN JAMIE

One year turns to the next

This wan winter afternoon.

Love, we have won through!

JACKIE KAY

The summer's rushed -

winter again, my friend;

carry love over.

ALAN SPENCE

we made it through

another year - just

listen to the bells

JANICE GALLOWAY

The blossom-filled sky

keeps just one thing in darkness -

your resolution.

AL KENNEDY

This time to live more

Breathe, burn, kiss, love, touch better,

Fail less than before.

ROBERT CRAWFORD

You are the one now.

I know. I need to show you,

You one, one, one, one.

RON BUTLIN

Last year's rain will soon

cease falling forever. Next

year's sunlight - your eyes!

JOHN BURNSIDE

Hoar frost at daybreak.

In the garden for the blind

the rose twigs shimmer.

DON PATERSON

Stuck high in the hedge

at the foot of the white slope

a wee paddling pool

This article was first published in Scotland On Sunday, 2 January, 2011