After the publication of our first book of Six-Word Memoirs, a reviewer from the St. Louis Post Dispatch announced, “Let’s dub this American Haiku.” For SixContest #144, we’re giving this “American Haiku” a poetic spin as we challenge you to write a poem in exactly six words. Your approach to six word poetry can be silly or sacred, playful or profound. You may choose to invoke your inner Seuss and make the words rhyme or channel Sylvia Plath and take us to the dark side.

One winner in each category will receive the Six-Word Memoir book of their choice.

• Most heartfelt

• Funniest

• Six Word poem that is also a Haiku — that’s 5, 7, 5 (syllables not words).

If you'd like to share a backstory (we love reading them!), be sure to submit your entry as a Six and include the link to the Backstory here in the comments below. Share as many stories as you like, but do post only one entry per comment.

Remember to tag us and include #SixWordPoetry when posting your Six Words to Twitter, Facebook and Instagram!