(PITTSFIELD, Mass.) – Young poets are sought to participate in a fast-paced poetry event, Head-to-Head Haiku, on August 12, 2012, as the opening event in this year’s WordXWord Festival, which runs August 11-18 in various locations in downtown Pittsfield. Head-to-Head Haiku is a fun, good-humored twist on the Poetry Slam format. In H-T-H, poets come armed with a collection of Haikus — poems having 17 syllables, no titles, no props – and are matched up in pairs for friendly, head-to-head competition. Strategy, delivery, quick wits as well as clever writing all come into play. This event is open to all 13- to 20-year-old poets and aspiring poets, and will take place Sunday, August 12, at 4p.m., at Shawn’s Barbershop at 440 North St.