I have selected ten poems from the last issue and given a short commentary. Just enjoyed the last issue so much, that I wanted to highlight a few of the ones that seemed special to me and share them with you. Enjoy!!!

Also, the two videos below will give you some insight and encouragement when you submit haiga and haibun to Failed Haiku. Take a look even if you currently don’t do haiga or haibun and if you do take a try at these two wonderful parts of haikai be sure to feel free to submit them to us!

Mike and I are delighted to present this very special issue of Failed Haiku, chock full of senryu-esque expressions from newbies to legends alike. The contributors who made this issue possible held nothing back. For that, we are beyond grateful. There is something about the sharing of experience (be it through laughter or tears) that connects us and reminds us that, though it may seem otherwise at times, we are never alone in this game. This is the gift you offer us as we consider your work. It is our privilege to pay it forward by sharing your words with so many others, literally around the globe.

You will also find the winners of the Jane Reichhold Memorial Haiga Competition 2024. We would like to thank everyone who submitted entries to the contest for making our job as judges incredibly difficult. You blew us both away.

Remember, the submission window for the next full issue opens on November 10th!

With love and appreciation,
Kelly Moyer

A note from the old guy… This is a huge issue, so we separated the ‘Haiga’ and ‘Haibun’ sections. We will be redoing the template next year, but we did not want to create download issues. The website will be back soon, but this has been a wild ride of a transition. We love to see your work, and we will NOT be cutting back, just making things easier for our readers. If you are new to haiku and senryu we welcome you, and if you are an ‘old hand’ it is always wonderful to meet our old friends as well.

The Reichhold contest was fantastic and congratulations to all the winners (and that includes the Honorable Mentions) you made it tough to choose so to all of you who submitted, THANKS!

Mike