In celebration of the 100th anniversary of its founding in 1918, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) invites everyone in the standardization community (and beyond!) to create a haiku that distills the essence of a voluntary standard to just 17 syllables. We're collecting original submissions now through October 19, 2018 (the date of ANSI's founding 100 years ago, and the last day of this year's World Standards Week celebration) - and will select winners in five categories: technically relevant, funny, traditional, poetic/beautiful, and overall best haiku.
Did you know?
The plural of haiku is haiku.
Why a haiku? Well when you think about it, a haiku is actually a standard. It's an agreed-upon specification for a particular form of poetry - traditionally a Japanese three-line poem with 17 syllables, written in a 5/7/5 syllable count (more haiku guidance is available here).
Plus, it's not so hard to write a little haiku, so we're shooting for at least 100 submissions - use your creativity to help us get there! It can be based on an American National Standard developed by your own organization, or any U.S. or international voluntary standard that strikes your poetic fancy.
Just be sure to identify the specific standard referenced alongside your haiku, provide us with your name and organization, and send your submission(s) in the body of an email or Word document to [email protected] by October 19, 2018. That's all there is to it!
We'll also be accepting submissions in person at World Standards Week 2018, October 15-19 in Washington, DC, and winners will be announced in early November. Submissions will be shared on ANSI's social media pages (#100ANSIhaiku), ANSI.org, at World Standards Week, and other public forums as appropriate (permission is assumed with entry), and the five winning writers will each receive a certificate and a desktop Zen garden - who doesn't need that?
We've put together a few examples, below, to get you started. Now let's see your best 17 standard syllables! Questions? Email [email protected].
Broke in Timbuktu.
A machine blinks enter code.
Success: an influx!
-- INCITS 118-1998 [S2008], Personal Identification Number - PIN Pad
Fats, oils, and greases:
How do we get through the FOG?
Proper disposal.
-- ASME A112.14.6-2010 (R2015), FOG (Fats, Oils, and Greases) Disposal Systems
Alarm sounds, gear on!
Protection for protectors.
Run into the flames.
-- NFPA 2113-2015, Standard on Selection, Care, Use, and Maintenance of Flame-Resistant Garments for Protection of Industrial Personnel against Short-Duration Thermal Exposures from Fire
Enter as you please:
Jumping, diving, cannonball -
Water holds no threat.
-- NSF/ANSI 50-2017, Equipment and Chemicals for Swimming Pools, Spas, Hot Tubs, and Other Recreational Water Facilities