Intro:

For those unfamiliar with the cheribun (pronounced CHAIR-ree-boon), it’s a rare hybrid form of literature combining one or more cherita (six-line micro-poems with three stanzas) with one or more prose paragraphs, which may be prose poems and/or forms of lyrical nonfiction that may also include elements of storytelling.

The cherita (pronounced CHAIR-rita) was invented in 1997 by ai li, a Malay poet and the editor of the monthly print anthology the cherita. Although she also coined the term cheribun, ai li doesn’t publish the form. But I’m glad to do so in her stead!

My fascination with this remarkable hybrid began when poet Margaret Dornaus sent me “The Writer’s Cabin” in November 2021, which became the first cheribun published in MacQueen’s Quinterly (Issue 11, January 2022)—and apparently the first to appear anywhere online. (For details, see MacQ’s First Cheribun!)

From January 2022 through June 2026, MacQ happily published a total of 97 cheribun, 68 of which were selected from entries submitted via three Cheribun Challenges. Historical details and results are available through these links: Number 1 (February 2022); Number 2 (July 2024); and Number 3 (June 2025).

The Fourth!

In mid-June 2026, submissions for Cheribun Challenge #4 were open for seven days, and MacQ received 49 pieces, representing 25 entries. I accepted 30 cheribun, or 61% of the total number of pieces submitted. Total number of poets represented: 20, including four (or 20%) who are new to MacQ (i.e., their work has not appeared in previous issues of MacQueen’s Quinterly or KYSO Flash).

As I did when considering entries for previous Challenges, I looked for polished writing, for poems that resonate emotionally, and for those that help illustrate the possibilities of the cheribun form. And I gave extra credit to pieces that include at least one word that begins with Q, my favorite letter of the alphabet. 😊

For instance, the well-crafted “Losing Touch” by Jennifer L. Freed, a structurally simple cheribun which seamlessly weaves four Q words into the total word count of 209—while also resonating so deeply that it makes me cry.

Another piece with the basic structure of prose followed by one cherita: “Dimitroula Mou” by Terri L. French is history artfully disguised as a cheribun story—a fine and fascinating way to learn about Greek divers who immigrated in the Fifties to Tarpon Springs, Florida, the “Sponge Capital of the World.”

At the opposite end of the structural spectrum: the rare French-braided cheribun “Excision” by Colleen M. Farrelly, mathematician and poet, who interweaves the stanzas of two cherita within half-a-dozen concise prose sections. Including title and two Q words, total word count equals 156—a few of which simply boggle my mind.

Possibly my personal favorite from this treasure trove of 30 cheribun, “White-bellied Heron” by Jane Salmons is only 215 words long, but features four cherita, each a chapter in the larger story. As with Freed’s “Losing Touch” mentioned above, this beautifully written piece tugs my heartstrings to tears.

The longest cheribun selected, “The Lindisfarne Conundrum” by master prose poet Oz Hardwick, has 450 words. Such lovely writing here as well. Simply magical! On first reading this cheribun, I whispered, Wow... just wow.

At 36 words including the title, “Dementia with Lewy Bodies” by Tracy Royce is the shortest piece, but it’s l-o-n-g on poignancy. As the saying goes, dynamite comes in small packages. And this tiny cheribun goes boom.

Thank You!

From my heart, much gratitude to everyone who entered this challenge. I deeply appreciate your support of my journal, and your desire to help celebrate a rare form of literature! ♥♥ For those writing cheribun for the first time, special thanks for your willingness to experiment. I hope that folks had fun working in this form.

I certainly loved reading the entries and making my selections, and I’m so happy to include such captivating works in MacQ. It’s my pleasure and honor and privilege to present these marvels for your enjoyment:

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Winners:

1. First Place ($125 USD):
   Losing Touch by Jennifer L. Freed
   
   
2. Second Place ($100 USD):
   The Lindisfarne Conundrum by Oz Hardwick
   
   
3. Third Place, tie ($75 USD):
   Excision by Colleen M. Farrelly
   
   
4. Third Place, tie ($75 USD):
   Dimitroula Mou by Terri L. French
   
   

Short-Listed Finalists (unranked):

• Recess 1961 by Cynthia Anderson
  
  
• One Raccoon Down by Tina Barry
  
  
• Am I Becoming Unhinged? by Susan Burch
  
  
• To the Moon and Back by Tammy Iralu
  
  
• Krishna Paksha by Vaishnavi Ramaswamy
  
  
• On My Lawn by Tracy Royce
  
  
• White-bellied Heron by Jane Salmons
  
  
• Enchiridion by Joshua St. Claire
  
  

Long-Listed Finalists (unranked):

The following 18 cheribun will appear in MacQ-34 in late September 2026:

• “Bad Behavior” by Cynthia Anderson
  
  
• “Poser Perplexed” by Tina Barry
  
  
• “Voice Boxed In” by Susan Burch
  
  
• “Kibble” by Billie Dee
  
  
• “Locale” by Billie Dee
  
  
• “With Dignity and Compassion” by Carol Dorf
  
  
• “Night Shift” by Margaret Dornaus
  
  
• “Monday Blues” by Colleen M. Farrelly
  
  
• “The Getting of Knowledge” by Hazel Hall
  
  
• “Octogenarian Contrarian” by Tricia Knoll
  
  
• “Ready! Set! Go!” by Bob Lucky
  
  
• “Both at Once” by Tracy Royce
  
  
• “Dementia with Lewy Bodies” by Tracy Royce
  
  
• “Forever Breakfasting at Tiffany’s” by Jane Salmons
  
  
• “The Zookeeper’s Adopted Daughter” by Daryl Scroggins
  
  
• “Neap Tide” by Joshua St. Claire
  
  
• “Wasting Away in the Seventies” by Scott Wiggerman
  
  
• “What a Smile Hides” by Scott Wiggerman
  
  

For contest guidelines, see MacQ’s Cheribun Challenge #4.