If you dare, feast your eyes on this year’s winners of KFF Health News’ sixth annual Halloween Haiku contest. We received more than four dozen spooky submissions but only a few bubbled to the top of the cauldron. Here’s the winner and the top runners-up, illustrated by Oona Zenda. The judges’ favorites were inspired by blood shortages, high health care costs, and the eye-gouging price of prescription drugs. Keep an eye on KFF Health News’ social media accounts (X; Instagram; and Facebook) for more of our favorites. Enjoy!

1st Place

A black and white cartoon of a witch donating blood. The person taking her blood is Dr. Dracula. Above them is a banner that says:
(Illustration: Oona Zenda/KFF Health News; Haiku: Crystal Decker)

Vampires don’t scare me. 

Empty blood shelves, now that’s fear. 

Roll up, save a life.

— Crystal Decker 

2nd Place

A black and white cartoon of a scary medical bill frightening a ghoul and a ghost. Below the image, haiku text reads:
(Illustration: Oona Zenda/KFF Health News; Haiku: Sasha Zitter)

What spooks me the most 

Is not a ghoul or a ghost 

But steep health care bills.

— Sasha Zitter 

3rd Place

A black and white cartoon of a business man, with a name tag that says,
(Illustration: Oona Zenda/KFF Health News; Haiku: Siri Palreddy)

No, not eye-gouging. 

My costume is scarier: 

Pharma price-gouging.

— Siri Palreddy

While Halloween may be coming to an end, KFF Health News reporting continues year-round. Send us your haikus at any time for possible inclusion in our Morning Briefing: https://kffhealthnews.org/contact-haiku/. 

2023 Halloween Haiku Contest Winners

2022 Halloween Haiku Contest Winners