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Victoria commuters (like bees in honey) inspire haiku winner
Felix Allen30.06.09
The winner of a competition to write a haiku about summer in London today revealed the inspiration for his poem - his fellow commuters at Victoria.
Thousands entered the contest to see who could best describe summer in the capital using the traditional Japanese artform, which restricts writers to three lines.
Winner Simon Brake impressed judges, including Yoko Ono, with his evocation of a scene at the station on a sunny day last month. He wrote: "Beneath the morning sun/The city is painted gold/People move like bees through honey."
The competition, in which entries were submitted via online messaging service Twitter, was run by Network Rail and north London arts centre Kings Place. The haikus - typically 17 syllables, although organisers decided to waive the rule - were flashed up on a big screen at King's Cross station.
Mr Brake, 34, said he was "surprised and thrilled" to win. The graphic designer, from Sutton, said: "The competition was a brilliant idea. Commuters tend to dwell on the fact London is big and noisy but you can look out of the window and see something natural and beautiful."
Yoko Ono said: "I was amazed that the level of understanding of the spirit of haiku was so high."
Reader views (9)
Truly beautiful prose
You made me look at my morning commute with new eyes. Thank you
- Meredith Kirkwood, London, UK
Your poem brought warm smiles
I see London with new eyes
haiku brought pleasure
- Damian, Nottingham
I apologise to all the Haiku zealots out there - I completely agree, it doesn't scan as a true Haiku and, as such, was surprised to win. I'd like to think I captured the spirit of the Haiku, if not the mechanics. Given that it was announced that the normal rule was waived this shouldn't really be an issue, but I guess some people's love of Haiku boils down to the rhythm of the words over the image portrayed.
I tried to capture a moment as I experienced it, in a style I've enjoyed reading for years, and was happy it reached a lot of people.
Sorry I spoilt it for the rest of you.
- Simon, London
What lovely words, in such a harsh and hot world just now!
Well done Simon !!
- Sally Cabbage, Ripon, North Yorkshire
Well done my lovely.
You are truly the Haiku Master 
- Laura, Sutton, England
Hang on that's not a haiku its got 21 syllabuls
- Becca De Moyes, London
"typically 17 syllables, although organisers decided to waive the rule"
The winner's poem isn't haiku it's got 21 syllables!; mine and loads of other people's were. What a waste of time!
- Mark, South-East London
EDITED by admin @ 8.25 on July 2 2009
Removed at user's request
- Rebecca Woodhead, Cotswolds, England
Way to go Si! WHOOP WHOOP!
- Slarti Bartfast, Solonge, NDansk (for all the fish)
