NYC, Ep. 5

July 5, 2007—Our fifth-ever episode marked the return of the LDM to the great outdoors, as glass-ceiling crasher Irina Reyn out-haiku’d finalist Tony O’Neill to snare victory for the jaws of the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation.

After a shock sequence of technical delays, the battle began with Tony O'Neill (3 A.M.) going toe-to-toe against Maureen Tkacik (The Crier). After hilarious commentary from judges Ben Greenman, Wesley Stace and Leigh Newman, O’Neill was selected as the early evening’s first finalist.

The judges whisper deep secrets.
Next up came Tao Lin (Opium) v. Reyn (Ballyhoo Stories). Reyn reeled off a story of childhood goofiness, which triumphed over Lin’s daring, Kaufman-esque attempt with a never-ending “we ate whale, we ate whale” conclusion to his poem.

In the finals, a haiku-off led to Reyn was chosen the champ by the wildly enthusiastic audience. A wonderful night in every way!

See all the photos from this event here!