(NOTE: Ignore the redundancy in the title, as it was necessary. All right, I have written this in Word so I apologize if any errors can be found. I have done my best to mark my errors and keep them in check. I have also asked Redmond’s friend Bryan to look over it and correct any areas unseen by Microsoft. Thank you for your understanding.)

Greetings,

Redmond (*ohanlon) and I (=thistlewood) welcome you to our haiku poetry contest!

Now, this is a poetry contest, but we have decided to limit our contestants to the haiku form that must include the theme of one of the seven deadly sins, which means your entry must involve only one of the following: gluttony, greed, sloth, lust, pride, envy, and wrath. Please keep your entry confined to one of these, no more than that.

We allow all forms of haiku, modern and traditional. You may craft it in any way you deem appropriate as long as it deals with one of the seven deadly sins.

(You should know that the following definitions are not strict at all, and you can divert your submissions to incorporate the basic idea of them as you please. I have just provided brief examples of each sin so that you will have an idea on how you’d like proceed further when writing your haiku. For instance, for “pride” in the first context, I have used Augustine's definition, which clearly disagrees Aristotle’s philosophy of it. Because we are dealing with the “sins,” it would be appropriate to identify them as such even though there would be room, in essence, for different interpretation. For this reason, it is necessary to have your entries reflect the sin, not the virtue, in such instances.)

THE SINS:
• Gluttony: an inordinate desire to consume more than that which one requires.
• Greed: the desire for material wealth or other gain.
• Sloth: the avoidance of physical activity.
• Lust: an inordinate craving for the pleasures of the body.
• Pride: the love of one’s own excellence.
• Envy: the desire for others’ traits, status, abilities, or situations.
• Wrath: manifested in the individual who spurns love and opts instead for fury.

THE RULES:
• Haiku only.
• The entry must be submitted and viewable in your gallery.
• One submission per applicant.
• Submissions must be new; no previously submitted writing.

HOW TO ENTER:
Depending on the sin you choose from, you will note me (=thistlewood) or Redmond (*ohanlon) your submissions for the following categories:

• For greed, sloth, envy, and lust submissions, note me (=thistlewood).
• For gluttony, pride, and wrath submissions, note Redmond (*ohanlon).

Title the subject of your note as “Haiku Contest,” and add which sin your haiku is meant to be associated with (e.g., “Haiku Contest: Wrath,” or “Haiku Contest: Lust”); also, include the link to your submission in the note.

DEADLINE:
• Contest starts now!
• Contest ends July 28th (Tuesday).
• Winners will be announced July 31st (Friday).

PRIZES:
• 1st Place -- 3 month sub, feature in our journal.
• 2nd Place -- 2 month sub, feature in our journal.
• 3rd Place -- 1 month sub, feature in our journal.

We will be taking submissions until July 28th, a Tuesday. Announcements of the winners will take place on July 31st the following Friday.

We urge all to take part in this opportunity, and wish you the best of luck!