Poetry Pea - haiku and other English Language Japanese short forms

An episode of haiku poetry presented by Liam Maguire on the topic of creepy crawlies. Honestly he does a brilliant job. He's inspired me to write and I hope he'll inspire you to write too. Check out the submission diary.

You can read the slides on the YouTube version or check them our at Buy Me A Coffee, where you can support the work of the podcast in many ways.

Show notes

Without zoka, there is no haiku…

Zoka — the creative, the generative force that animates the universe — is more than a concept. It's the heartbeat of haiku.

In this week’s Poetry Pea Podcast, I reflect on Janice Doppler’s brilliant essay, “Following Bashō, Following Zoka,” and the powerful conversations it’s sparked within our community. I talk about my own grappling with the idea — from my strict Catholic upbringing to gradually recognizing zoka in my writing, even before I had the language for it.

We’ll explore what haiku can be when we allow transformation, transience, and seasonality to rise above static images or generic kigo. 🌀

What does it mean to feel the seasons in an urban space? How can we write haiku that breathe and evolve with nature — not just describe it?

🎙️ Tune in and journey with us through change, through poetry, through zoka.

Show notes

This week on the podcast from Poetry Pea we have:

• a reply from Bruce Feingold regarding my problems with the Touchstone awards

• a bit of data research from Bill Fay

• some haiku & senryū written for the latest flashk

• the poems chosen by Linda L Ludwig from May's prompt video

Thank you to all the poets who have had their work chosen.

Thank you to Anne Fox for the video.

Thank you to Linda for all the work she puts in for the video prompt.

Thank you to all the editors who took part in the flashku submission, Robert, Vandana, Lev, Shane, Richard and Samantha.

show notes

Do you ever feel like there’s just not enough time for you?

I’m in one of those seasons. When I sat down to plan this week’s episode, I thought I’d explore the poetry of Chiyo-ni — and oh, the rabbit holes I found! That’s going to take more time. But today, I just needed a slower pace… and maybe you do too.

So, I offer you something gentler:

✨ a jazz-infused session of haiku and senryū,

✨ poems to breathe with,

✨ words that settle the heart.

You’ll hear work from Lenard D. Moore, Stanford M. Forrester, Jennifer Gurney, Debbie Strange, Lakshmi Iyer, and many more — including the unforgettable lines of Chiyo-ni herself.

🎙️ This episode isn’t a workshop or deep dive — it’s a quiet conversation with the poems I’ve been holding close lately. Think of it as late-night jazz… in haiku form.

show notes

The point of today's podcast is to get you excited to write haiku and senryū for the second volume of The Poetry Pea Anthology, “Little Marvels.”

As you’ll know from the podcasts I’ve already published the topic is belonging and alienation this year. If you haven’t listened to themHere they are:

• A Reading with Roman Lyakhovetsky
• The Poetry of Alienation
• Belonging in Poetry

The anthology will be in print and PDF format. Submission will be by invitation only and the only way to get your invitation is by signing up to the mailing list. It won’t be long til the invite goes out so hurry, hurry, hurry.

For your inspiration today I’m with a poet from North Carolina. You met him before on a podcast in series 7, where he read to us from his book “A Million Shadows at Noon”. 

show notes

haiku, senryu and tanka about death. It's much more cheerful than that sounds. In the end I think the Ravens won! Are you all Vikings?

There's a bit of homework in there for you too. Do you agree / disagree with the thoughts expressed at the beginning of the podcast? Write and let me know.

Shownotes

What am I on about doughnuts for? You'll have to listen to find out, but you'll also hear some original poetry, mostly written for the podcast.

I also try out some AI. What do you think?

Please support the podcast by 

• Becoming a member
• Buying us a coffee
• or spreading the word about us on social media

Your mission this week, should you choose it

• Don’t forget to check the website’s submission diary
• Write some poetry for the video prompt
• And maybe think if there’s anyone you know who might like to advertise on the podcast.

show notes

A discussion of the importance of poetic history to our writing with the philosopher poets, Sean O'Connor and Thomas Festa.

Your mission is to email me with your thoughts:

• Did this podcast work for you
• What topics would you like to hear them talk about
• Did you agree / disagree with the two poets

Email me and let me know.

show notes

show notes

This week I revisit some haibun that Poetry Pea nominated for awards from their Journals over the years. Will you be writing for the next Poetry Pea Journal of Haibun, Tendrils?

Check out the show notes

Submissions diary