Haboob Haiku: Year Two

Last year, ADOT launched its very first “Haboob Haiku” challenge in an effort to spread the word about dust storm safety and the response was pretty amazing.

That’s actually a huge understatement ... Not only did we receive over 600 original haikus (some even by phone and snail mail), but #HaboobHaiku yielded stories in media outlets all over the world (they even wrote about it in New Zealand!).

New York Daily News Books may have put it best…@NYNDNews: “This is sorta awesome: Arizona fighting dust storms with haiku.” Or maybe it was @BlazingLily: “#HaboobHaiku just might be the best hashtag ever!”

We agree, @BlazingLily, so we’re bringing it back!

Haboob Haiku: Year Two

Today, as part of ADOT’s ongoing efforts to share the important messages related to dust storm safety, we are once again asking you to channel your inner poet by writing a haboob haiku and sharing it over on Twitter (don’t forget to #haboobhaiku and mention @ArizonaDOT) or on our Facebook page or even here in the comments.

Be sure to visit PullAsideStayAlive.org for a look at our videos and driving tips – while you’re there, you might just find some ideas for your own haiku.

After all, safety is the point of #HaboobHaiku. The haikus are designed to reinforce ADOT’s public safety message urging drivers to avoid driving into or through a dust storm at all costs. Drivers are instead encouraged to pull off the roadway and wait out a dust storm rather than trying to drive with reduced or zero visibility.

How to Haiku

Haiku is a type of poetry that conforms to a certain syllable structure. They’re traditionally written in three lines – the first line consists of five syllables, the second line has seven and the third ends with five.

Usually these poems can be on any subject, but for #HaboobHaiku, we want you to focus on monsoons, dust storms and our safety message: Pull Aside, Stay Alive.

Some inspiration to get things started

Before you rush off to Tweet us your latest haiku, take a look at some of the favorites from last year...

• You’re not a Jedi / This is not Tatooine, Luke / Pull over now, man
• Dust blows, swirls and grows / Roadways become danger zones / Pull over, lights off
• Wham, bam, dust storm jam / Can’t see? Don’t drive, pull over / Lights out ‘til all clear

We can’t wait to see what you come up with for Haboob Haiku: Year Two!