Poetry Pea - haiku and other English Language Japanese short forms

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.