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 haiku
• senryū
• English-language haiku technique
• haiku form and structure
• poetry craft discussions
• modern haiku debate

then 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 today

Bisshie

Alicia Samson

Angiola Inglese

Christopher Seep

David Cox

Hifsa Ashraf

Jonathan Blakeslee

Joshua Gage

Lakshman Bulusu

Melissa Dennison

Mims Sully

Neena Singh

Mona Bedi

Ralph Matthews

Richard Bailly

Richard Tice

Rob McKinnon

Rohan Buettel

Tracy Davidson

Rupa Anand

Sheikha 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