You did it again, readers! We received more than three dozen Halloween haiku submissions in KHN’s fourth annual Halloween haiku contest. Our expert panel of judges took the ghastly challenge of choosing the best head-on … or off. Here’s the winner, which was recited by Julie Rovner on last week’s “What the Health?” podcast, plus a sampling of finalists illustrated by Oona Tempest. The judges’ favorites drew inspiration from real-life viral outbreaks and the burden of haunting medical bills. Keep an eye on KHN’s social media accounts (Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook) for more of our favorites. Enjoy!
1st Place
Covid, Ebola,
Monkeypox, seasonal flu —
Who needs Halloween?
— Paul Hughes-Cromwick
Inspiration: 24/7 ghosts, goblins, and pathogens
2nd Place
Surprise billing curbs,
Like the famed headless horseman,
Remain incomplete.
— Michael L. Millenson
Inspiration: “How to Avoid Surprise Bills — And the Pitfalls in the New Law”
3rd Place
Ghastly, grotesque, sick!
You mask up to trick-or-treat,
But not for covid?
— Micki Jackson
Inspiration: The ongoing mask-or-not masquerade
While Halloween may be coming to an end, KHN reporting continues year-round. Send us your haikus at any time for possible inclusion in our Morning Briefing: https://kffhealthnews.org/contact-haiku/
This story was produced by KHN (Kaiser Health News), a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation.