Poetry Pea - haiku and other English Language Japanese short forms

This week on Poetry Pea, we're revisiting one of the highlights from our much-loved reading series.Join acclaimed poet Lorraine Padden as she reads from her beautiful collection Upwelling, sharing poems rich in observation, memory and the quiet moments that so often inspire haiku and related forms.Whether you're discovering Lorraine's work for the first time or returning to this favourite episode, it's the perfect opportunity to enjoy a thoughtful poetry reading and celebrate the craft of concise, image-rich writing.As Poetry Pea takes a gentle summer stroll through the archives, we're delighted to bring this memorable reading back to you.If you enjoy the podcast, please follow, leave a review, and share it with your poetry-loving friends. Your support helps Poetry Pea continue to champion haiku, senryū, tanka and haibun from poets around the world.

Join us for a special Poetry Pea Salon recording featuring Reid Hepworth reading from her award-winning collection, The Improbability of Sea Monkeys.Reid's book has received an HSA Merit Book Award, recognised for its evocative haiku and haibun, its honest exploration of identity and memory, and its vivid portrayal of growing up in the 1960s and 70s.In this Poetry Pea Salon event, Reid shares her poems and the stories behind them.📖 About the collection:The Improbability of Sea Monkeys is a deeply personal journey through childhood, history, identity and belonging, told through the precise and powerful lens of haiku and haibun.For a link to Reid Hepworth's award-winning collection: see the show notes.🌱 Support Poetry Pea:If you enjoy these podcasts and would like to help keep Poetry Pea growing, you can support the podcast through membership, Buy Me a Coffee or a donation.🎧 Subscribe for weekly poetry podcasts featuring haiku, senryu, tanka, haibun and conversations with poets from around the world.

In this episode of Poetry Pea, the leading English-language haiku podcast, Patricia asks can a single line hold an entire world?In this special Poetry Pea podcast, we explore the art of the one-line haiku and senryū through a carefully curated selection of original poems chosen from our latest submission period.Writing a successful one-line poem is far more challenging than it appears. In this episode you'll hear the poems selected for publication, discover why some stood out from hundreds of submissions, and listen to commentary exploring what makes an effective one-liner.This episode also features:Judges' Choices nominations from Clive Grewcock, Lee Hudspeth, Johnny Moran and David GreenCommentary from the Poetry Pea editorial team member and guest contributor Lev HartInsights into the craft of contemporary haiku and senryūWhether you're an experienced haiku poet or just beginning your journey, these original poems demonstrate the precision, surprise and resonance that make one-line haiku so compelling.Poetry Pea is one of the world's leading podcasts dedicated to haiku, senryū and Japanese short-form poetry, featuring poetry readings, interviews, craft discussions and inspiration for writers at every stage.Poet's featured today:John S GreenClive GrewcockSheikha ASusan AndrewsCynthia AndersonEmil Karla Peter JastermskyAdele Gallogly Steve BahrGavin AustinDeborah A BennettRowan Beckett MinorJill MuhrerMichael MullerStephanie ZepherelliLee HudspethJacek MargolakNeena SinghCX TurnerJamie WimberleySara WinteridgeRobert WitmerAnna YinNitu YumnamPegah Rahmati NezhadDeborah Karl-BrandtLori KieferMartina MatijevićRob McKinnonLorraine HaigTony WilliamsRupa AnandKimberly KucharMary OishiRebecca UpjohnKatie Montagna Maria Cristina PulvirentiJenny ShepherdNorman SilverLisa BillaJennifer L BlanckMarc BrimbleMariangela Canzi Erin CastaldiTim CreminChristopher SeepLaurinda LindJohnny Moranpetro ckTracy DavidsonMelissa DennisonJoan C. FingonMark ForresterDenisa HanšutováJon HareMaeve O'SullivanFlorence HeyhoeLouise HopewellLakshmi IyerCelia JenkinsDeborah Karl-BrandtMark GilbertArvinder KaurRohan BuettelRichard TiceBiswajit MishraDavid Green

In this episode, In this episode of Poetry Pea, the leading English-language haiku podcast, Patricia McGuire shares the haiku and senryū selected from the June 2026 Poetry Pea Video Prompt, beautifully curated by Lakshmi Iyer.Expect poems filled with birdsong, summer heat, nesting season, squirrels, sparrows, warblers and the small moments that make haiku so memorable. Alongside the selected poems, Patricia also reads a collection of bonus sparrow haiku by contemporary poets and classics from Bashō and Buson.If today's episode inspires you, why not join the next Poetry Pea Video Prompt? New prompts appear on the Poetry Pea YouTube channel almost every month, and your haiku could be featured on a future Poetry Pea Podcast and published in the Poetry Pea Journal.Whether you're an experienced haiku poet or just discovering the genre, this episode is a joyful celebration of observation, nature and the Poetry Pea community.Poets featured:Neena SinghRalph MathewsAlicia SamsonRupa AnandRupa AnandReid HepworthVaishnavi RamaswamySusanne UrowitzSeamus O' ConnorMona BediMelissa DennisonJoanna AshwellMary OishiJoshua St. ClaireJo BalistreriBuson, Trs Michael HaldaneKeith EvettsBruce H FeingoldBill FayCraig KittnerIsabel CavesKristen LindquistDavid Oates, PPJSankara JayanthBasho, Trs David Landis Barnhill

In this episode of Poetry Pea, the leading English-language haiku podcast, Patricia asks what makes a haiku a haiku? Is there really a difference between traditional and contemporary haiku, or have we complicated something that was once quite simple?In this episode of the Poetry Peacast, Patricia explores the essential elements of the Japanese haiku tradition, discussing the must haves of haiku.Drawing on the work of Haruo Shirane, William J. Higginson, Michael Dylan Welch and Robert D. Wilson, she examines why seasonality matters, how the cut creates resonance, and why these techniques continue to give haiku their unique emotional power.Along the way, Patricia analyses poems by Buson, Bashō, Den Sutejo, Katayama Yumiko, Don Baird, Neena Singh, Meera Rehm, Bruce H. Feingold and Bisshie, sharing practical insights that will help you read and write stronger haiku.Whether you're new to haiku or a long-time practitioner, this thoughtful discussion invites you to reconsider what truly defines the genre.In this episode:What kigo really contributes to a haikuThe purpose of the kireji, or cutWhy sensory imagery mattersClose readings of classic and modern haikuPractical inspiration for your own writingSubscribe to the Poetry Peacast for weekly episodes exploring haiku, senryū, tanka, haibun and the craft of Japanese short-form poetry.Support the podcast show notes

In this episode of the Poetry Pea Podcast, Patricia McGuire introduces the remarkable poetry of Anne McKay, an award-winning Canadian poet whose lyrical haiku and haiku-inspired poetry deserve to be much better known.She explores a selection of Anne McKay's haiku, looking at her evocative imagery, her musical use of language, her distinctive use of white space, and the subtle techniques that make her poems linger long after they've been read. Along the way, Patricia reflects on reading haiku aloud, the role of punctuation in contemporary haiku, and white space.Whether you're new to Anne McKay's work or already a fan, this episode offers a thoughtful exploration of a poet whose quiet observations should inspire readers around the world.Don't forget to visit the Poetry Pea YouTube channel and take part in this month's video prompt. Guest editor Matt Snyder is looking forward to reading your haiku, senryū and haibun, and your poem could be selected for publication in the next Poetry Pea Journal and featured on a future Poetry Pea Podcast.If you enjoy the podcast, please follow, rate and leave a review. It helps other poetry lovers discover the show.In this episode:• Anne McKay's haiku and poetic style• Reading haiku aloud• White space, sound and punctuation in haiku• Haiku technique and close reading• This month's Poetry Pea video promptKeep writing.

Rivers have always carried stories. In this episode of the Poetry Pea Podcast, we follow their winding course through a carefully curated collection of contemporary haiku and senryū, alongside classic poems that continue to inspire writers today.These tiny poems explore rivers as places of connection and separation, memory and movement, peace and conflict. From quiet birdsong to distant sirens, from bridges that unite to waters that divide, each haiku offers a fresh perspective on one of poetry's oldest and richest images.Featured poets:Johnny MoranKim KlughMelissa DennisonMona BediRupa AnandJacek MargolakAnjali WarhadpandePaul CallusLakshmi IyerSandip ChauhanVikram KolmannskogArvinder KaurVaishnavi Ramaswamy, IndiaTony WilliamsCorinne Timmer Minal SaroshIan RichardsonRowan Beckett Minor, PPJ 3:25Anna Maria Domburg-SancristoforoAnthony LusardiRobin RichCaroline Ridley-DuffJanice DopplerOkamoto Kanoko, trs Makoto Ueda Maya DanevaBuson, trs RH Blyth Roger IshiiDavid CoxIf you write haiku, senryū or Japanese short-form poetry, this episode is full of inspiration for your own writing. And don't forget to visit the Poetry Pea YouTube channel to take part in this month's video prompt, guest-edited by Lakshmi Iyer—there's still time to leave your poem in the comments.Subscribe to the Poetry Pea Podcast for weekly episodes celebrating haiku, senryū, haibun, tanka, poetry craft, interviews with leading poets, and practical inspiration for writers at every stage of their journey.See you next week.This week's episode page

In the final episode of this three-part series on noun poetry, Patricia reads a wonderful collection of listener poems, inspired by the nouns. This episode examines how carefully chosen images can evoke emotion without relying on explanation or abstract language.With practical analysis and inspiring examples, this episode offers valuable insights for anyone looking to write stronger haiku, senryū and short-form poetry.Whether you're a seasoned poet or just beginning your haiku journey, you'll come away with a deeper appreciation of the power of images, the importance of observation and the quiet magic that happens when nouns are allowed to do the work.There's a little bit of homework for you this week, check the show notes.Subscribe to the Poetry Pea Podcast for weekly conversations about haiku, senryū, haibun and the craft of Japanese short-form poetry. And if you enjoy the show, please leave a review and share it with a fellow poet—it really helps the podcast grow.Poets Featured today:Rebecca UpjohnAndrea CiscoJeannie HarkemaRalph MatthewsVaishnavi RamaswamySteve BahrCynthia AndersonSeamus O’ConnorLorraine PaddenKim KlughSusan AndrewsMelissa DennisonJenny ShepherdRupa AnandMark ForresterTony WilliamsAlicia Samson Katie MontagnaChristine Wenk-HarrisonJonathan EnglishEmil KarlaSangita KalarickalElliot DiamondRichard TiceNeena SinghBisshie

Can a haiku be lyrical without relying on verbs? Can a handful of carefully chosen nouns carry all the emotional weight a poem needs?In this second episode exploring the poetry of nouns, Patricia examines how concrete images create resonance, rhythm and lyricism in haiku and senryū. Drawing on poems by:Alan SummersRadostina DragostinovaHifsa AshrafLaura DriscollSharon Lynne YeeMark GilbertPaul mChristopher PeysMáire Morrissey-CumminsLovette CarterKatie MontagnaJames YoungEve CastleKikakuPatricia explores the idea that the reader becomes a co-poet, discovering meaning in the spaces between images.Along the way, you'll hear discussions of the arrested moment, juxtaposition, movement without verbs, and the surprising musicality that emerges from noun-heavy poetry.Whether you're an experienced haiku poet or just beginning your journey into Japanese short-form poetry, this episode offers practical insights into writing more evocative, image-driven work.In this episode:Why concrete nouns can create powerful lyricismHaiku without verbs and the illusion of movementThe role of juxtaposition and reader participationThe "arrested moment" in lyric poetryThe Poetry Pea Podcast is a weekly podcast for haiku, senryū and haibun writers, featuring poetry, craft discussions, interviews and inspiration for poets around the world.Show notes

In this episode of the Poetry Pea Podcast, we explore why haiku has often been described as "the poetry of the noun" and ask whether removing verbs and limiting adjectives can make a poem even more powerful.Through close readings of haiku by John Wills, Elizabeth Searle Lamb, Charles Rossiter, Noel King, Choshi, Anne Curran, and Bisshie, we discover how concrete nouns create atmosphere, emotion and meaning without explanation. We look at Edward Hirsch's idea of the "arrested moment" and Michael Dylan Welch's advice to write not about your feelings, but about what caused them.Can a poem made almost entirely of nouns hold a reader's attention? Can omission create deeper emotional resonance than description? And how we should trust readers to make their own connections?If you write or love haiku, senryū, Japanese poetry, imagist poetry, or minimalist writing, this episode offers practical insights and examples to inspire your own work.Plus, there's a new writing challenge: can you create a noun-heavy, no-verb haiku that invites the reader to join the dots? If you can get it to me by the 16th June, 2026 it might make it into another podcast and the next journal.Join us for an episode about the remarkable power of concrete imagery.Links in the show notes

In this episode of the Poetry Pea Podcast, Patricia shares a fresh collection of haiku and senryu from Poetry Pea’s much-loved Flashku submissions — a spontaneous 24-hour poetry challenge open to poets on the Poetry Pea mailing list.Featuring poems by Nalini Shetty, Robert Witmer, Sébastien Revon, Emil Karla, Steve Bahr, Katie Montagna, Deborah A Bennett, Samo Kreutz, Cynthia Anderson, Sara Winteridge, John Hare, Mark Forrester, Robin Rich, Tony Williams, Vaishnavi Ramaswamy and Elliot DiamondAlong the way there’s a heartfelt apology to Ralph Matthews for previously misspelling his name in the journal — now happily corrected.The episode finishes with a delightful selection of one-line poems from the Poetry Pea archives and the Little Marvels anthologies, including work by Lev Hart, Kim Klugh, Nitu Yumnam, Sarah Paris, Srinivas S, Faye Brinsmead, Kat Lehmann, Willie R Bongcaron, Daniela Misso, Rashmi VeSa, Debbie Strange, Craig Kittner and Anjali Warhadpande.If you enjoy small poems filled with observation, atmosphere and quiet surprise, this episode is for you.Submissions for Poetry Pea’s current one-line poem window are open until 15th June. Visit the Poetry Pea website for details, workshops, submission opportunities and the latest Submission Agenda.Episode webpage

In this episode of the Poetry Pea Podcast, we share the chosen poems from April’s Poetry Pea Video Prompt, beautifully curated by Lakshmi Iyer.Inspired by pink skies, cricket song, twilight gardens, and fleeting moments of light, these poems explore the quiet beauty of the natural world through haiku and short-form poetry.Featuring poems by Marion Clarke, Ralph Mathews, Kerry J Heckman, Melissa Dennison, Vaishnavi Ramaswamy, Anne Curran, Kendall Oei, Jonathan Blakeslee, Hifsa Ashraf, Kim Klugh, Tom Bierovic, Veronica Tucker, Jennifer L. Black, Tony Williams, and more.We also include a special selection of bonus poems from Poetry Pea, Frogpond, Presence, and the wider haiku community.Whether you’re a poet, a poetry lover, or simply looking for a few moments of calm, settle in and enjoy this celebration of contemporary haiku, senryu, and micropoetry.Subscribe, share, and visit Poetry Pea to join our growing poetry community.Episode notes

In this final episode of Poetry Pea’s series on lyricism in haiku and senryū, Patricia explores contemporary poems that sing—haiku and senryū rich in musicality, emotional resonance, and soaring beauty.With recommendations and insights from some poetry friends, we journey through lyrical work from some of today’s finest poets, asking what makes a haiku truly resonate. Is it sound, rhythm, imagery—or something harder to define? Do we come up with the answer?From birdsong and flowing rivers to moonlight, frost and bending grass, this episode celebrates poems that move us deeply without sentimentality, reminding us how much can be achieved with just a few carefully chosen words.Don't forget to check the shownotes.

This episode of the Poetry Pea Podcast continues an exploration of lyrical haiku and senryū in the English language, with a focus on work written before the year 2000. What makes a haiku “lyrical”? Not overblown emotion or elaborate language, but a quieter musicality—rhythm, emotional restraint, and an image that’s allowed to resonate.This episode offers a thoughtful introduction to earlier contemporary haiku, setting the stage for a later look at more recent voices, in the next episode, do please join us.If you’re interested in poetry that values subtlety, attention, and the music of the spoken word, this is a good place to begin.

This week on The Poetry Peacast, we drift into a river-inspired collection of haiku and senryu from our March video prompt. While Patricia is (technically) in Zürich, today’s episode is carried by the warm currents of South Africa, where the original footage was filmed during a memorable family trip.The poems featured here have been carefully edited and curated by Johnny Moran—thank you, Johnny—and capture a range of voices responding to water, movement, and the quiet details that make haiku and senryu so powerful.Congratulations to the poets whose work is included in this episode. Their poems will also appear in the upcoming issue of the 1:26 poetry journal.In this episode:A showcase of original haiku and senryuPoetry inspired by rivers, travel, and observationReflections on the March Poetry Pea video promptCommunity voices from poets around the worldIf you enjoy the podcast, you can support us by becoming a member, buying us a coffee, or making a donation via PayPal—all through our website. You can also help by sharing the podcast with your poetry friends and on social media.And yes—there’s a brief (and heartfelt) nod to Crystal Palace’s latest semi-final. Fingers firmly crossed.Subscribe to stay up to date with weekly poetry prompts, haiku, senryu, and readings.Keep writing.Featured PoetsMarch Video PromptHerb TateNeena SinghDavid CoxJennifer L. BlanckMona BediJacob Blumner Lakshmi Iyer India Melissa Dennison Ralph MatthewsJoshua gageChristopher SeepVaishnavi RamaswamyAlicia SamsonRohan BuettelTony Williams Bonus poetry Robert Kingston, PPJ Autumn 2021Mark Gilbert, PPJ Autumn 2021Anne Morrigan, PPJ 2:23MartinLucas from FreewheelingBrett Brady, PPJ 2021John Hawkhead, PPJ Autumn 2020Edward Cody Huddleston, Autumn 2020

In this episode of the Poetry Pea Podcast, we continue our exploration of lyrical poetry with a journey into the work of the Japanese haiku masters. From Bashō and Buson to Issa and Shiki, and their contemporaries, we listen to classic haiku in translation and consider how sound, rhythm and imagery carry emotional resonance across centuries.Following last week’s episode on the eighteenth-century female poet, Chyio-ni, today we turn to the male masters and their friends and contemporaries. These poems span stillness, seasonal awareness, humour, melancholy and the fleeting beauty at the heart of haiku. Expect frogs, evening breezes, cherry blossom, mountain mist and the famous old pond — along with the rarely heard response verse from its original renku.All poems are read in English translation, allowing the musicality and lyricism of classical Japanese haiku to shine through for modern listeners. If you love haiku, Japanese poetry, short-form poetry, or want inspiration for your own writing, this episode offers a rich selection from some of the greatest poets in the tradition.Don’t forget to add your poem to this month’s Poetry Pea video prompt in the comments on the channel, and support the podcast if you can.Links to the poems mentioned are in the show notes.

In this episode of Poetry Pea, I explore the haiku of Chiyo-ni, the 18th-century Japanese poet and Buddhist nun whose lyrical voice is often overlooked when we talk about the great haiku masters. While Bashō, Buson, Shiki and Issa are regularly discussed, Chiyo-ni’s work often takes a back seat.Prompted by recent conversations about the perceived lack of lyrical poetry in modern haiku, I look at what “lyrical” might mean in the context of haiku. For me, lyrical poetry creates an emotional connection without sentimentality, often supported by musicality, rhythm and the spoken quality of the words. Through a selection of Chiyo-ni’s poems, presented in English translation, I explore how her work achieves this balance with delicacy and restraint.You’ll hear a range of Chiyo-ni’s haiku, including the well-known morning glory poem, alongside lesser-known pieces that reveal her attentiveness to nature, human feeling and fleeting moments. I also discuss the challenges of translation and how different versions of the same poem can alter tone, rhythm and emotional impact.I’m also inviting you to take part:• What does “lyrical” mean to you in haiku?• Do you think lyrical poetry is missing from contemporary English-language haiku?• Send me your favourite lyrical haiku (with citations) for possible inclusion in a future episode.If you enjoy the podcast, please consider supporting Poetry Pea with a membership, a coffee, or sharing it with your poetry friends.You can also join the mailing list to stay updated with future episodes.Show notes

In this special Poetry Pea episode, we celebrate impending close of our haibun submissions period with a curated selection of haibun readings. New to haibun? Don’t worry — helpful links in the show notes will guide you through this beautifully blended form of prose and haiku.All the pieces in this episode share something in common… but will you spot what it is?Answers in the shownotes.We also thank Johnny Moran for editing March’s video prompt and welcome Lakshmi Iyer, our guest editor for April. Be sure to submit your poems in the comments under the latest Poetry Pea YouTube video so they can be considered.Plus, there’s exciting news coming soon from Poetry Pea — and an opportunity you won’t want to miss. To make sure you hear about it, join the Poetry Pea membership via Buy Me a Coffee and sign up for the Poetry Pea mailing list.Pop in your earbuds and enjoy a thoughtful feast of haibun poetry.Poets included: If Wishes Were HorsesReid Hepworth, DSH issue 29 September 2024The WailersBisshie, Cattails 2025A loneliness business, and yet . . .Chen-ou Li, Contemporary Haibun Online April 2026Invisible WebSimon Wilson, Cattails, October 2025MementoNeena Singh, Cattails, October 2025MultiverseMelissa Dennison, Drifting Sands Haibun, Issue 34, Dec 25The Far ShoreSandip Chauhan, haikuKATHA, Issue 43, May 2025Grandpa Carr’s KohlrabiNicky Gutierrez, Tendrils Haibun Journal, 2024MauerspechteBisshie, Wales Haiku Journal,Winter 25/26RainRobert Witmer Tokyo, Japan, Drifiting Sands Haibun, issue 34, Dec 2025IterationsDavid J Kelly, Tendrils Haibun Journal, 2024The Soles of my FeetGerry Jacobson, Kokako, Issue 42, March 23, 2025TidesJill Muhrer, Tendrils Haibun Journal, 2025

Step into a listening space shaped by small poems and quiet attention.This weekly podcast brings together contemporary haiku from voices around the world. Each of our episodes features carefully selected poems, and thoughtful readings.From murmuration skies to winter dusk, from the hush of birdsong to the swell of the everyday, we explore the moments that might otherwise pass unnoticed — and give them room to resonate.✨ How to take part:Respond to our video prompts on YouTube, submit your haibun via our website, and join a growing international community of poets and listeners.🎧 New episodes released weekly.Subscribe, listen, and let the words take flight.

Settle in for another episode of the Poetry Pea Podcast, where this time there’s no set theme—yes, maybe it 's a bit trickier for you… but as they say, if it were easy, it wouldn’t be worth doing.In this episode, you’ll hear a wonderful selection of contemporary haiku and senryu , all submitted without the safety net of a prompt. Our judges—one familiar voice and two brand-new to the podcast—have read the poems anonymously and selected their nominations, decided on a Judges’ Choice and Honourable Mention. You’ll hear their thoughts during the show, with the final results revealed soon in the Poetry Pea Journal.We also share a few notices from Pea Towers, including details of upcoming submissions for our annual haibun journal, Tendrils, and how you can nominate poems for the Golden Pea Award anthology.Whether you’re an experienced poet or just discovering English language shortforms there’s something here for you.Subscribe, join our mailing list, and consider supporting the podcast to help keep the poetry flowing.And as always—keep writing.Episode notes

In this episode of the Poetry Peacast, we bring our current exploration of one-line haiku to a halt for now.After three episodes and a number of thoughtful questions, I reflect on what the form offers, where it challenges us, and where I find myself—at least for now. There is, of course, more to be said, and the conversation remains open, particularly as listeners continue to share their own insights and experiences.I’ll also be following this series with a short essay drawing together ideas from all three episodes.Over the coming weeks, the Peacast will turn to your work, featuring original poetry written by listeners, followed by poems inspired by the Poetry Pea video prompt—continuing our focus on poetry out loud and shared creative practice.If you’d like to take part, you’re warmly invited to submit your work, respond to the prompts, or share your thoughts.Thank you for listening, and for being part of the Poetry Pea community.Until next time—keep writingshow notes

This week on the Poetry Pea Podcast there’s a slight change of plan.Part three of the one-line haiku series isn’t quite ready yet. After posing several questions at the end of part two, I realised I needed a little more time to sit with them. My head is currently full of ideas, possibilities and half-formed thoughts, and rather than rush things, I want to give those questions the attention they deserve.So, while I continue wrestling with the mysteries of the one-line haiku, I thought I’d share something special with you.In this episode you’ll hear part one of a conversation with renowned haiku poet Kala Ramesh, originally recorded for our sister podcast, Poetry Pea Readings. Kala’s insights into haiku, creativity and poetic practice are always inspiring, and it felt like the perfect conversation to revisit while we pause the one-line haiku series for a week.If you enjoy this discussion, you’ll find the link to part two in the show notes.Next week I’ll be back with part three of the one-line haiku extravaganza — and while I may not have answered every question swirling around in my head, I promise I’ll have given it a very good try.Check out the show notes for more detail...

In this episode of the Poetry Pea Podcast, we continue our deep dive into the art of the one line haiku and explore five powerful techniques for writing compelling haiku and senryū in English.If you’ve been experimenting with one line poems and wondering how they work — or whether they work at all — this episode is for you.We explore five essential techniques for writing strong one line haiku:• Speed – creating breathless momentum • Circular structure – poems that can be read in multiple directions • Truncated form – leaving deliberate space for the reader’s imagination • Shape and horizontal movement – how visual and directional flow affect meaning • Multiple cuts – discovering layered readings within a single lineHave we answered our won questions?Have we appropriated the Japanese short form?Do one line haiku conform to traditional three line expectations?Is a poem a one line haiku simply because the poet says it is?Why did the one line become so popular — and why have they endured?Whether you are new to writing haiku or already publishing in journals, this episode offers accessible, practical techniques you can try immediately in your own notebook.If you enjoy learning about haiku craft, senryū techniques, poetry prompts, and contemporary short form poetry, make sure to follow the podcast and check the show notes for cited poems and further reading.And don’t forget:Submit your poems via the YouTube video comments for the Monthly Prompt or try the 3-Word Challenge in our Shorts.

In this episode of The Poetry Pea Podcast, we begin an in-depth exploration of one line haiku and senryū in English. What makes a one line haiku work? Is it simply a haiku written without line breaks, or is there something more subtle happening with rhythm, pause and flow?Through close readings of poems by Michael Segers, John Wills, Alvin Cruz, Elizabeth Searle Lamb, Kala Ramesh, Tess Sherman, Scott Wiggerman, martin gottlieb cohen and even Allen Ginsberg, we examine how the single line changes pacing, meaning and impact.We also begin asking some bigger questions about English-language haiku:Have Western poets reshaped the short form into something unrecognisable in Japan?Are English one line haiku a natural evolution — or a reinvention?Is a one line poem a haiku simply because the poet says it is?This is Part 1 of a short series. Next week we’ll turn to techniques for writing one line haiku, looking at structure, rhythm and craft.If you’re interested in:one line haikusenryūEnglish-language haiku techniquehaiku form and structurepoetry craft discussionsmodern haiku debatethen this episode is for you.Show notes and links are here.If you’d like to read along, a slideshow version is available on YouTube.Keep writing.

Monster trucks meet haiku.In this adrenaline-charged episode of Poetry Pea,I share original haiku and senryu inspired by a thrilling monster truck video, captured by Renee Schaffer and curated by Allyson Whipple. Huge thanks to both for fuelling this creative ride.Expect short-form poetry that explores power, spectacle, humour and the poetry of roaring engines and flying mud — all in just three lines.Every poem featured will appear in the first Poetry Pea Journal of the year, celebrating contemporary haiku and senryu from our international poetry community.Love modern haiku? Enjoy writing prompts and award-winning poems? Don’t miss the Golden Pea Award Winners Podcast and the accompanying anthology.Subscribe, follow, and sign up to the newsletter so you don’t miss the next Poetry Pea release.Check out the show notes.Small poems. Full throttle.Poets Featured todayBisshieAlicia SamsonAngiola IngleseChristopher SeepDavid CoxHifsa AshrafJonathan BlakesleeJoshua GageLakshman BulusuMelissa DennisonMims SullyNeena SinghMona BediRalph MatthewsRichard BaillyRichard TiceRob McKinnonRohan BuettelTracy DavidsonRupa AnandSheikha A.Kimberly Kuchar 

A podcast about haiku and short poetry from around the world, particularly early Spanish haikuesque poetry of José Juan Tablada, but I'll also explore Japanese haiku, early Western haiku, translation, poetic form, and contemporary practice.This episode offers close readings, literary context, and thoughts, uncovering forgotten poems, global influences, and the ways haiku has travelled across languages and cultures. Topics include imagist poetry, one-line poems, haiku history, and writing practice.Ideal for poets, writers, readers, and anyone interested in haiku, poetry podcasts, short poems, and creative writing.New episodes released regularly.Keep writing.For today's show notes, click here

In this special episode of the Poetry Pea Podcast, host Patricia announces the winners of the Golden Pea Awards 2025, celebrating the very best haiku, senryū, tanka and haibun published by Poetry Pea this year.Recorded from her studio in Switzerland, Patricia shares a carefully curated selection of award-winning poems, chosen for their craft, originality and emotional impact. These standout pieces appear in The Golden Pea Anthology, the first collection to bring Poetry Pea’s finest poems together.Featuring luminous haiku, sharp-eyed senryū, resonant tanka and ambitious haibun, this episode is both a celebration of outstanding poets and a masterclass for lovers of short-form poetry.If you enjoy contemporary poetry podcasts and award-winning short poems, this episode is not to be missed.Want to see who the talented poets are... go to the episode.

Urban Haiku Podcast | More City Life in Short PoetryStep into the streets, gyms, roads, and temples of contemporary poetry with this episode of the Poetry Pea Podcast, dedicated to urban haiku and senryū. In this instalment of the Urban Haiku series, we continue to explore how modern city life finds expression through short-form poetry—capturing fleeting moments, human interactions, and everyday urban scenes in just a few carefully chosen words.Featuring unpublished and published urban haiku and senryū submitted by members of the Poetry Pea community, this episode offers listeners the chance to hear fresh work while also engaging with questions of form, and categorisation. What makes a poem haiku rather than senryū? How does urban experience shape contemporary haiku writing? And how do poets adapt traditional forms to modern settings?Perfect for haiku poets, short-form poetry lovers, and writers interested in contemporary haiku, this episode aims to inspire you to try writing urban poetry yourself—especially if you’re considering submitting to a current or future Poetry Pea haiku call-out.You’ll also hear updates on Poetry Pea opportunities, including YouTube writing prompts, three-word challenges, and upcoming features such as the Golden Pea Awards.🎧 Listen, reflect, and be inspired to write your own urban haiku.📺 Don’t forget to explore the Poetry Pea YouTube channel and membership options for more ways to write, submit, and publish short poetry.Show notes

Welcome to The Poetry Peacast, where small poems loom large and every word earns its keep.In this episode, you’ll hear poetry from the long list of Poetry Pea’s brand-new awards — the Golden Pea Awards. These are poems that came tantalisingly close to the top: work that impressed, delighted, and lingered, but ultimately didn’t quite make it into the final, glittering handful of Golden Peas. Expect exceptional haiku, senryū, tanka and haibun from across the Poetry Pea community, read with care and accompanied by an appreciation of effort, craft, and understatement. This is a celebration of poems that were almost 24-carat gold — and in many cases, arguably are.Thoughtful, witty, and refreshingly free of fuss, The Poetry Peacast honours the breadth and brilliance of contemporary short poetry and their brilliant writing community — and reminds us that sometimes, nearly is still rather magnificent.Want to see a list of te poets on the loong list, head over to the episode webpage.

Urban haiku and senryū inspired by modern city life, with poems, and submission calls.Show notespoets featured today:m shane pruett, Haiku Pea Podcast, S3E22Eric W Amann[i] William J Higgenson with Penny Harter,”The Haiku Handbook.” Kodansha International, 1985, p87Barbara Tate, THF City Sidewalk, tasteMichael Dylan Welch, from GracegutsMizuho, Urban Ginko V – Nakazaki-cho, Osaka July 10th 2023Akihiko, Urban Ginko V – Nakazaki-cho, Osaka July 10th 2023Richard Wright, Haiku: This Other World, Arcade Publishing, New York, NY, 1998Lakshmi Iyer, Poetry Pea Journal, 3.22Bob Whitmire, THF City Sidewalk, hearingTracy Davidson, Poetry Pea Journal 2.23Wendy Cobourne, Prune Juice, issue 46Arvinder Kaur, Poetry Pea Journal, Summer 2021Rupa Anand, failed haiku issue111

The Poetry Pea Podcast is a contemporary poetry podcast featuring original poetry, poetry prompts, video poetry prompts, and poetry readings from poets around the world.In this episode of the Poetry Pea Podcast, we open Season Nine with original contemporary poetry written in response to our final video poetry prompt of 2025, curated by poet Kathleen Tice. This poetry podcast showcases a wide range of poetic voices and styles, demonstrating how a single poetry prompt can inspire many different poems.You’ll also hear updates about the Poetry Pea community, the latest poetry prompt on YouTube, and how poets can submit poetry correctly by leaving poems in the YouTube comments. Submitting poetry through the YouTube comments is the only way to take part in the Poetry Pea video poetry prompt.The Poetry Pea Podcast is ideal for poets, writers, poetry readers, and anyone looking for writing prompts, poetry inspiration, or contemporary poetry podcasts. Each episode features poetry readings, poetry prompts, and creative encouragement for poets at all stages.Check out the poets featured today on the Episode webpage

In this special episode of the Poetry Pea Podcast, host Patricia welcomes celebrated Canadian poet Reid Hepworth for a stunning reading from her collection Loss Is a River. Praised for its emotional depth and lyrical power, Hepworth’s work explores love, loss, memory, and the quiet moments that shape our lives.Patricia also shares an important correction and heartfelt apology to poets Mona Bedi and Marylyn Burridge, plus news about the upcoming Christmas break, the bumper Season Nine, and teases Poetry Pea Press developments planned for 2026.Listeners will find links to Reid Hepworth’s books, Poetry Pea membership, the mailing list, and submission guidelines in the show notes.A perfect listen for fans of contemporary poetry, haiku, senryu, haibun, one line poems, and tanka.Subscribe, stay connected, and enjoy this beautiful end-of-year reading.

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Join Patricia for a special episode of the Poetry Pea Podcast, featuring original tanka poetry from contemporary writers around the world. In this episode, she shares the judges’ nominations for the best tanka selected for the forthcoming Poetry Pea Journal. If you enjoy tanka, haiku, short-form poetry, or modern Japanese-inspired verse, this episode offers fresh poems, thoughtful commentary, and an inside look at the judging process. Perfect listening for poets, readers, and anyone passionate about tanka and micropoetry.If you enjoy this podcast do think about supporting our work, thank you.Buy us a coffeeTake out a membership Or simply share this episode with your poetry pals and leave us a comment or review. It really does help the show grow.

This week on the Poetry Peacast, we welcome Scottish poet Claire Thom, joining us from Andalusia, Spain. Claire, founder of Wee Sparrow Press, shares haiku and haibun from her beautiful collection Wildflowers in Oyster Stone. It's always enjoyable to hear a poet read their work, don't you think?Discover how travel, nature, and poetic craft intertwine as we talk about the art of haiku editing and the inspiration behind her work.If you love contemporary haiku, haibun, and international poetry, this episode will enchant you.✨ Don’t forget to sign up for the Poetry Pea mailing list for news on our upcoming anthology, amongst other things — a little gem in itself!show notes.

In this episode, we visit with Canadian poet Allison Douglas Tourner, who reads from her haunting and beautiful collection sticks & bones. Together, we wander through memory, myth, and the stories that shape us — from childhood books to the darker corners of imagination.There’s also a bit of breaking news for poetry lovers: publication of the Poetry Pea Anthology is imminent, so be sure you’re on the mailing list — it’s the perfect poetry gift for Christmas.Join us for poetry, reflection, and a touch of wonder.Show notes

As the rain lashes Zürich and the winter tyres go on, it’s time to escape to somewhere warmer! In this episode of the Poetry Peacast, we’re off to the beaches of Langkawi, Malaysia — swapping snowflakes for seashells and cold toes for sand between them.Patricia shares previously published haiku and senryu from the beach, plus new poems inspired by our latest video prompt. Expect crows, carols, and a touch of tropical sunshine — all wrapped up in the warmth of our global poetry community.With thanks to Neena Singh for her expert curating, and to all the poets who took part in this month’s prompt.If you’d like to join in, leave your haiku or senryu in the comments under the video on our YouTube channel (not by email, please!) and maybe you’ll be featured next time.🌴 Keep writing, keep watching the waves, and see you next week for more poetic adventures.Episode notes

It’s Poetry Pea’s birthday! To celebrate, we’re throwing a Senryū Pop Quiz — and you’re invited.In this episode, we put our poetic instincts to the test: can you tell your haiku from your senryū? Or have some poems wandered off into the wild world of micropoetry?Join us for a fun, thought-provoking episode full of literary nerdery, and maybe a little friendly controversy. We’ll also celebrate Joshua St. Claire’s award-winning haiku and revisit what makes haiku haiku, and senryū, senryū, from seasonal references to intuition and exposés.Tune in, play along, and then head to the show notes to compare your answers with ours. Let’s see how many you get right—no cheating!

In this episode of Poetry Pea: The Senryū Sessions (Part Two), Patricia dives deeper into the poetic dance between haiku and senryū — where do they meet, and where do they part ways? With insights from scholars like Shirane, Wirth, Pizzarelli, and Virgil, we explore what makes a haiku an observation and a senryū a commentary. Through poems by Linda Ludwig, Vera Constantineau, Sam Blair, Shiki, Matt Snyder and others, we untangle how tone, imagery, and human perspective shape these distinct short forms.Join us as we question, laugh, and maybe disagree — all in the spirit of good poetry.🎧 Featuring:Thoughtful comparisons between haiku and senryūReadings and analysis of poems from Poetry Pea Journal and Prune JuiceA few surprises (and laughs) along the way🕊️ Keep up with the series and make sure you've subscribed to the Podcast, wherever you are listening.Maybe leave us a review, it would be most appreciated.

This episode of the Poetry PeaPodcast is Part One of a series on senryū. A form of Japanese short poetryWe begin by asserting that senryū do not have to be humorous. They offer sharp, human insights that continue to spark debate among poets and editors. In this episode you’ll hear examples from both the Japanese canon and contemporary English-language poets, with commentary and context to guide you.Over the coming episodes in this series, we’ll learn the differences between haiku & senryū, discover the living practice of senryū, and consider their place alongside haiku in today’s poetry world.Perfect for anyone curious about senryū, haiku, and Japanese short-form poetry in English.

In this special episode of the Poetry Pea Podcast, Patricia celebrates International Dot Day with the Poetry Pea community. Join us for a playful look at haiku and flashku, inspired by dots, creativity and courage.Patricia shares news about the brand-new Poetry Pea Journal 4:25 — full of original haiku, creepy-crawly poems, video prompt selections, and the latest judges’ choice. You’ll also hear how poets responded to a social media challenge and a flashku call-out.Whether you’re a seasoned haiku poet or just curious about short-form poetry, this episode is packed with inspiration and poems to spark your creativity.Show notes

Original poems by global poets.Welcome to the Poetry Pea Podcast – your home for haiku, senryū and short-form poetry. 🐞🦋🐝In this episode, inspired by Liam Maguire’s “creepy crawly” presentation, our judges Clive Grewcock, Melissa Dennison and Liam himself share their nominations for the Judges’ Choice. Expect beetles, butterflies, ants, dragonflies, spiders and more – all captured in the tiny but powerful form of haiku and senryū.✨ What you’ll hear:Original haiku, senryū and one-line poems from poets around the worldCommentary from our judges A lively selection of poems which will be some of the poems featured in Poetry Pea Journal 4:25Sign up for our mailing list for early access, special offers, and submission opportunities💌 Submissions are open for tanka 1-15th Oct 2025– check the diary & guidelines on our website before sending!☕ Like what we do? Support the Poetry Pea Podcast:Become a memberBuy us a coffeeShare this podcast with your poetry-loving friendsShow notes

✨ Welcome to the Poetry Pea Podcast ✨In this episode, we share beautiful haiku and senryū from our community, inspired by the video prompts. You’ll hear poetry chosen by editor Amy Watson from the August prompt, and we’ll look ahead to September’s beach-themed prompt curated by Neena Singh.Alongside the poetry, I raise an important question about fairness in haiku competitions — something for us all to consider as members of the short form poetry community. And, to end, we return to more poems from you, our listeners, to bring us back to calm reflection.📌 What’s inside this episode:Haiku and senryū from the Poetry Pea communityHighlights from the August video prompt (Tango-inspired)A discussion on fairness in haiku competitionsMore community poems to close the show💌 Don’t miss out! Join the Poetry Pea mailing list to hear about new journals, prompts, and podcast episodes first: [link]If you enjoy writing haiku, & senryū, or simply love listening to short form poetry, this episode is for you.

In this episode we round off our tanka series with something a little different – kyōka.Kyōka are often described as the “wild poems” of the tanka world – witty, playful, and full of wry social commentary. Think of them as to tanka what senryū are to haiku.👉 What you’ll hear in this episode:A short introduction to kyōka and their place in Japanese poetryExamples from the Japanese, translated into EnglishContemporary kyōka written originally in EnglishA light-hearted discussion about humour in poetry📚 Don’t forget – our latest haibun journal Tendrils is out now. Link in the show notes if you’d like to grab a copy (print or PDF).💌 Want to support Poetry Pea?Become a member, buy us a coffee, or simply share this episode on your social media. Every little helps to keep the podcast going and spread the word.🖊️ Submissions:Check our submissions diary for current calls. We’d love to read your work in future episodes.Thank you for listening – and most importantly, keep writing.

Welcome to Poetry Pea! In this episode, Patricia shares practical tips and writing exercises on how to write superior tanka poetry. Building on last week’s look at the ten styles of poetry, today we dive into Teika’s principles, examples of great tanka, and step-by-step challenges to help you improve your craft.Whether you’re brand new to tanka, already writing haiku and senryū, or preparing to submit your work to poetry journals, this podcast will give you inspiration, structure, and confidence in your writing.📌 What you’ll learn in this episode:What makes a tanka “superior”Common mistakes to avoid when writing tankaTeika’s timeless advice on style, rhythm, and languagePractical exercises (including a 15-day tanka challenge)How to get ready for submissions in OctoberEpisode Show notesPlease support us with a:MembershipCoffee Giving us lovely shout outs on your social media.

✨ Today we’re diving into the world of Fujiwara no Teika (1162–1241) — one of Japan’s most influential poets, teachers, and literary critics. If you’re curious about tanka poetry, this is a perfect place to start.In this podcast we’ll explore:Teika’s ten styles of waka and why they still matterHis core ideal of ushin (“conviction of feeling”)The four fundamental styles every poet should try and 6 to have a go at once they are masteredAlong the way, I’ll share classic examples of waka and tanka, plus some modern tanka poems to show how Teika’s ideas resonate today.📺 Don’t miss the latest video prompt, edited this month by the brilliant Neena Singh — a chance to spark your own writing and join in the conversation.🔗 Check the show notes for sources, translations, and links to related podcasts. poetrypea.comIf you enjoy learning about Japanese poetry, tanka, haiku, and poetics, do give this video a like, leave a comment with your favourite poem or style, and subscribe for more deep dives into poetry and prompts every week.show notes

Pack your poetic passport — this week, the Poetry Pea Podcast is off to Borneo!Our theme? Elephants in haiku and senryu, inspired by Borneo’s rare and gentle pygmy elephants.In this episode:🐘 Haiku & senryu from Linda Ludwig’s last video prompt editorship📖 Treasures from past Poetry Pea Journals🌿 Elephant-themed poems from other talented writers🌏 Five fascinating facts about Borneo💚 A closer look at Borneo’s endangered pygmy elephants📢 Haiku & Senryu Submissions: You’ve still got time to submit for this month’s video prompt, edited by Amy Watson in her first ever Poetry Pea role. Remember — post your poems in the comments section of the video prompt to be considered.💡 Support Poetry Pea:Become a member, buy us a coffee, or share the podcast with poetry-loving friends.✨ Whether you’re here for nature haiku inspiration, wildlife facts, or a love of short-form poetry, this episode will leave you inspired — and maybe ready to book a trip to Borneo.🔗 LinksWebsiteYouTube with slides1.    Elephants in Haiku and Senryu2.    Borneo Pygmy Elephants3.    Poetry Pea Podcast4.    Nature Haiku / Wildlife Haiku5.    Haiku and Senryu about Animals

Today we’re diving into technique. But wait! Don’t run for the hills just yet, or even the mountains…. This isn’t a dry lecture—we’re doing technique the Poetry Pea way: through the lens of rich, inspirational poetry.And we’re in for a real treat today because we’re in the company of one of the greats: John Wills. A master of the short form, Wills was an American poet who lived from 1921 to 1993, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of poems and books. I’ll introduce you to his work, highlight some of the techniques he used so beautifully, and read a few examples that just might change the way you write—or read—poetry.📌 You can find out more about John Wills by following the links in the show notes. And of course… Google is your friend.Breaking news... Poetry Pea Journal 3:25 is out as a PDFYou can purchase it here

Welcome to the PoetryPea Podcast, your go-to show for English-language haiku, senryu, and other short-form poetry. In this special episode, we’re embracing the lighter side of verse with a delightful collection of funny senryu.When community member Melissa Dennison asked for more humour in her life, we thought—what better way to celebrate the joy of poetry than with poems that make us laugh, smirk, or even groan? Whether you're a poet, a poetry lover, or just someone who enjoys a clever twist in senryū, this episode is for you.🪲 What’s happening at Poetry Pea?We’re currently accepting submissions for creepy crawlie haiku. Visit our submissions diary to find out how to send us your best insect-inspired verses.Check out our latest video prompt on the Poetry Pea YouTube channel, this month hosted by the wonderful Amy Watson, who’s taken over from the equally fabulous Linda Ludwig. Be sure to show Amy some love—and don’t forget to add your poem in the comments!✨ Want to help shape the podcast?Support us by becoming a Poetry Pea member. Members enjoy special opportunities to influence episode themes, submit work, and support the ongoing work of spreading high-quality short-form poetry worldwide. Details in the show notes. If you can't do that, and I understand, maybe buy us a coffee, or spread the love about this podcast on social media, and leave a review wherever you listen.🎧 Hit play, have a laugh, and enjoy the magic of funny haiku and witty senryu—because poetry can be profound and playful.

In this very special episode of the Poetry Pea Podcast, we bring you our first ever live salon event — and it's all about Zōka, the generative force behind haiku and nature itself.Featuring readings from the anthology One Thread and a conversation with its editor, Janice Doppler, this gathering celebrates the power of becoming, creativity, and poetic presence.Hosted by Patricia, with guest poets including Don Baird, Kala Ramesh, and our very own Vandana Parashar and friends, this episode is both a showcase and an invitation to explore Zōka for yourself.Want to join us next time? Members get first dibs on seats — details in the show notes