The Elements – overhead lightning

Haiku by Paul Callus, Malta

overhead lightning
for a split second I stand
in the limelight

The Elements – deserted park

Haiku by Nitu Yumnam, India

deserted park
the gaze of the child
tugging his shoe

Haiku for International Haiku Day 2024

Today, 17 April, is International Haiku Day, as declared by the Haiku Foundation. The members of Café Haiku got together to create haikai on the theme of new life, the warming of the earth.

Haiku by Geethanjali Rajan, art by Dhaatri Vengunad

Haiku by Raamesh Gowri Raghavan

spring morning walk
my dog struggles to cope
with the ladies

bonny boy
vague stirrings
in the bachelor uncle


living on
in my baby’s name
… father

Haibun by Dr Brijesh Raj

Magic

It is a singularly messy thing, this miracle of birthing. The room lined with newspaper. Well stocked with kitchen tissue, string, scissors and betadine kept near at hand. And muslin napkins in which puppy nails won’t get caught.

I hold on to a tiny paw and the tail and coax out downwards and outwards. Frantically rip off the slimy, membranous amniotic sac from the wriggly, squeally puppy and clear the mouth and nares of any ingested fluid. Hold the neck with a prong like two finger grip, keeping the rest of the body in the other hand and wave it downwards, once, twice, thrice to dislodge any inhaled liquor. Vigorously rub its body dry. Tie the umbilical cord close to the navel and cut off the surplus.


She gives a puppy every hour like clock work six times. My school mate is equal parts happy and relieved. But not as much as the rookie vet wiping a dripping brow.

village fair
the cousin recalls
‘the animal midwife

Haiku by Rohini Gupta

first rain
the baby crow hides
amid the coconuts

The Elements – drifting moon

Haiku by Kashiana Singh

drifting moon
your voice slowly
slipping away

The Elements – night sweats

Haiku by Joshua St. Claire, USA

night sweats lightning on her bare back

The Elements – weekend carnival

Haiku by Chris Langer, United States 

greying skies-
grandpa whistles
with the wind

weekend carnival-
a prize goldfish
in the nearby pond

children’s chalk drawings
from this morning-
gone after the storm

The Elements – 4 alarm fire

Haiku by Patrick Sweeney, USA

4-alarm fire   she went back for Neruda

Haiku for Parkinsons Course

Greetings and welcome!

Haiku for Parkinson’s is a feature of The Haiku Foundation (THF): introducing haiku to those of us living with Parkinson’s Disease (PD), as well as introducing PD to those ‘living with haiku.’

As part of this feature, renowned poet and editor Sonam Chhoki is teaching the course introducing haiku as a tool in the Parkinson’s toolbox, helping face and negotiate the challenges of the disease and improve quality of life. In this post, Sonam provides an update, which she illustrates with haiku written by current participants.

Sonam writes:

It’s almost two months since this H4P course by email started. I’m humbled that participants from different parts of the globe have responded with enthusiasm and a moving openness to share their experiences of Parkinson’s, either as individuals diagnosed with the condition or as family members, friends, or other members of the caring team.

For details click HERE

Sonam will be available to accompany those interested in using the haiku way to express, reflect, and contain their unique experience of Parkinson’s, through 2024.

You can register for this free introductory course any time by emailing us at: haiku4parkinsonsATgmail.com. We will put you in touch with Sonam.

The Elements – electric air

Haiga by Jennifer Gurney, US

The Elements – winter solitude

Haiku by Kenneth Daniels, Guyana , South America

my journey through the moon winter solitude