August 2025 Featured Haiku

dappled sun . . .
a deer reaches
for a low-branch peach

Paula Sears
USA

cricket song
the first raindrops
in morning sun

Joanna Ashwell
UK

first eclipse
making
our own sunglasses

Madeleine Kavanagh
USA
Vinoth Chandar, Glowing Deers

dappled sun . . .
a deer reaches
for a low-branch peach

- Paula Sears,
USA

cricket song
the first raindrops
in morning sun

- Joanna Ashwell ,
UK

first eclipse
making
our own sunglasses

- Madeleine Kavanagh ,
USA
September Haiku Submissions
OPEN

Submit up to 3 haiku by August 25th

THEME: Changing Leaves
Haiku Submission Guidelines

Haiku poetry originated in Japan and was perfected by the great haiku masters: Matsuo Basho, Yosa Buson, Masaoka Shiki, Kobayashi Issa and Chiyojo. Today haiku is an art form that is practiced internationally, and in the spirit of promoting global peace and contemplative artistic expression, Zen Peacemaker’s showcases three haiku a month on this page.

  • Haiku sent must be based on the monthly theme. By submitting, you acknowledge all work is original, unpublished, and not under consideration elsewhere (i.e., no simultaneous submissions please). We consider poems on the internet (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, blogs) to be previously published.
  • By sending their haiku, authors agree to its publication on our website and social media.
  • We will consider both free form haiku and haiku written using the traditional syllable count of 5-7-5. 
  • Due to the volume of submissions, we can only contact poets whose haiku will be showcased. 
  • Haiku submitted before the 25th of the month will be considered to be showcased the following month. Submissions are judged anonymously.   
 
* Being a member of Zen Peacemakers is not required, but becoming a member helps to support our nonprofit organization and connects you to a global community of peacemakers. Membership is free of cost, unless you choose to donate, which is greatly appreciated. 
JOIN HERE
 

“Go to the pine if you want to learn about the pine, or to the bamboo if you want to learn about the bamboo. And in doing so, you must leave your subjective preoccupation with yourself.” – Matsuo Basho (1644-1694)

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                                                                                     Co-Editor: Sensei Bob Ertman

                                                                                     Co-Editor: Lorraine Padden

                                                                                          Managing Editor: Clotilde Wright