Poetry Pea - haiku and other English Language Japanese short forms

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 tanka
• Teika’s timeless advice on style, rhythm, and language
• Practical exercises (including a 15-day tanka challenge)
• How to get ready for submissions in October

Episode Show notes

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✨ 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 matter
• His 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 mastered

Along 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.com

If 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.

🔗 Links

Website

YouTube with slides

1.    Elephants in Haiku and Senryu

2.    Borneo Pygmy Elephants

3.    Poetry Pea Podcast

4.    Nature Haiku / Wildlife Haiku

5.    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 PDF

You can purchase it here

show notes

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

What happens when alphorns echo through the streets of Zürich? They inspire short form poetry from around the world — and this week’s episode features some of the best!

These original haiku and senryū were written in response to June’s Video Prompt — a monthly moment of creativity on our YouTube channel. ✍️✨

Featuring voices like:

🖋️ Daniela Misso

🖋️ Lakshmi Iyer

🖋️ Rupa Anand

🖋️ Sara Winteridge

🖋️ Amy Watson

• more from Switzerland’s own haiku poets!

🎧 Listen now to discover the power of poetic echoes — and how alphorns brought the mountains to the city streets.

👉 Don’t forget: July’s prompt is live! Write your response and leave it in the comments to be considered for the podcast and journal.

Every month, except December, there is a short video on the Poetry Pea YouTube channel and you are invited to leave your poems, as many as you want, in the comments section under the video. The poems that are chosen by our editor Linda Ludwig, are featured in podcasts and of course in the Poetry Pea Journal.

Submission criteria.

show notes

🐛🕷️ Creepy Crawlies Have Entered the Chat…

This week on the Poetry Peacast, we’re getting under your skin — in the best possible way — with a fresh collection of haiku and short form poetry inspired by the little creatures that wriggle, buzz, crawl, and fly.

🦋 Featuring poems from Poetry Pea Journals past (and a few haiku legends), this episode explores beauty in the overlooked — from dragonflies to snails to crickets (yes, even cockroaches get a cameo).

💚 Special shout-out to Liam Maguire, whose presentation on insect haiku actually inspired Patricia to write about bugs (gasp!), and to Linda Ludwig, who’s wrapping up her time as editor of our Video Prompt feature. We’ll miss her guiding hand — let’s make her final month unforgettable.

🎧 Tune in now & find out why these “deceptive little poems” are anything but simple. Then, get writing — August's Creepy Crawly submission is open! 📝

Liam Maguire’s presentation

show notes

What does healing sound like in haiku?

This week, poet Julie Bloss Kelsey joins me to read from her deeply moving collection, Grasping the Fading Light: A Journey Through PTSD — winner of the 2021 International Women’s Haiku Contest.

Her work brings vulnerability, strength, and beauty to the page. Together we explore grief, trauma, recovery, and resilience — through the gentle force of haiku, senryū, and tanka.

This is an episode full of humanity and hope. You might think it’s not for you — but poetry this honest speaks to all of us.

Also available to watch on Poetry Pea's YouTube channel.

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