2026 WINNING POEMS (H through J) AND BIOS
BY MARILYN HALPERN
Marilyn was born in Newton. She and her husband have two daughters who attended Newton public schools and two grandchildren. Marilyn attended MassBay Community College for Early Childhood Education, worked in preschools, after-school programs and family daycare. She became interested in writing haikus when her brother introduced the family to Haiku Newton. She is now retired and living in Watertown, where she enjoys walking, reading, and writing haikus.
BY RUTH HOBERMAN
Ruth Hoberman lives in Newtonville, MA, with her husband, daughter, son-in-law, two grandchildren, and a yellow lab named Maggie. A retired English professor, she has published poems, essays, and reviews in various journals including (most recently) Mom Egg Review, Solstice, and Consequence.
BY LYN JEKOWSKY
Lyn is a children’s poet and picture book author with a picture book forthcoming next summer. Her poetry has appeared in the anthologies Clara’s Kookiy Compendium of Thimble Thoughts and Wonder Fuzz (Pomelo Books), Fly and Wild (Hey Hey Books), and The Dirigible Balloon. She recently placed in two local Haiku contests. Her experiences as a pediatric nurse and children’s yoga instructor have informed her work. She enjoys the beach, gardening and collaging.