Poetry Pea - haiku and other English Language Japanese short forms

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