If Issue #110 was about innovation, I would say that Issue #111 is about gravity—and not without good reason. Many of us are dealing with health issues, caring for a loved one or perhaps grieving a loss of hope. War, deportation, human rights, the environment are on our minds. Within this issue, you wrote about them with a cutting wit as well as in earnest. I applaud you all for refusing to shy away from addressing that which is weighing on your minds and your hearts.
As always, the work contained within these pages does not necessarily reflect the views of Failed Haiku or its editor. There was one piece in particular that made me uneasy and disrupted my sleep. Albeit blindsided, I found pause in my apprehension.
Is there not something to be said for bearing witness to words we’d rather not read? I think so. If we close our ears and eyes to the unsettling, how can we determine where we are and are not safe? I, for one, want to know where someone stands before I make the decision to self-disclose. Mind you, the onus shouldn’t be on the one attempting to live authentically in spite of the risks, but in the current political climate, safety (both physical and emotional) is as much a concern as the longing for self-expression.
As someone with a debilitating chronic illness who is at “high risk for sudden cardiac death,” I don’t have the energy for drama in any guise; but, I want to be as transparent with you as you are with me, which brings me to my final thought.
During this last round of submissions, many of you shared aspects of your creative process with me, your insecurities and your accomplishments. Your work touched my heart and often made me laugh out loud or brush a tear from my cheek. You let me know that we are together in this journey, this life of writing our truths for a global audience and for posterity, perhaps. After all, every page upon which we scribble is an historical document. We are blessed to be able to share our voices and to have one another’s support along the way.
Please, friends, stay safe, stay inspired and stay true to that which resides within, even if you choose to do so quietly.
Yours,
Kelly
A WORD OF GOODBYE FROM MIKE:
Folks, this is the last issue of FAILED HAIKU. I have made that decision for two main reasons:
- Both Kelly and I are physically challenged, to say the least. In the last four years, I have had surgery that had to rebuild my right shoulder due to a tick bite that led to Lyme Disease. My beloved wife, Abbey, had a massive stroke, and a year and a half later, after caring for her at our home, she passed from this world. As I was dealing with my grief, my own heart broke for more mundane reasons, and I have been in and out of hospitals, and heading back in a couple of months for procedures that may help me resume a more normal activity level. To add to the crazy nature of this time, I contracted Lyme Disease again a few months ago, but I am over it now, finally. In short, it is just too much to maintain Failed Haiku. My sincere thanks to all the poets who reached out to me with thoughts, prayers, and some wonderful presents that you sent to me. I love you ALL!!!
- I just got really tired of the harping by some in the haiku community, most of whom seldom or never submitted to FH. There is upset from them arising from our policy of accepting for publication in FH of ‘previously published work’. That was set out from ‘day one’, and that we have said repeatedly and consistently that we WILL NOT CHANGE. Anyone I appoint as editor has to agree to keep our submission policies unchanged. No one should need to defend their submission policies or change them through pressure, and yet, it still continues, and I just don’t feel close to the genre anymore myself due to this behaviour. Some of the complainers, I feel, are ‘put up to it’ by others, and we bear no ill will to anyone, but as a last request, I would ask that the complainers simply leave editors alone in the future, and allow for experimentation and differing formats and guidelines of other journals to their own standards. I will be working on free verse and other forms in the future, although I will post haiku and haibun from older works on my personal site and possibly Facebook in the future.
You are all friends, and as both Kelly and I work through our health issues, we will both miss hearing from you, but then, you all know where to reach us. Please stay in touch and write your life in poetry regardless the genre.
Peace,
Mike
PS Kelly Moyer is the best editor and poet friend anyone could have. She and Bob will remain close to me for the rest of my life. We have written together, edited together, judged contests together, and she is a peach! The issue below is testament to her abilities as an editor and concern for everyone she interacts with!
failed haiku - a journal of English Senryu 
You both are loved, and will be greatly missed, but please be immensely proud of what you have done. I know we’ll see you again, though health is vital first and foremost.
warmest and deepest regards,
Alan
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Dear Mile and Kelly,
I sorry that you are having health issues. I know how frustrating that can be, having had several health problems recently. Thank you to you and all the editors for all that you have done to advance the funny side of haiku.
Love and wishes for better health.
Adelaide
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Thank you for providing a welcoming home for some of my earliest poems (and beyond). It instilled me with much-needed confidence.
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Dear Mike and Kelly,
Be well, please be very well. Thanks so much for everything you did and brought to Failed Haiku over the years.
My first verse ever accepted for publication was at Failed Haiku, by Mike. He also rejected 9 others submitted at the same time. Then, once published, I realized that my single verse occupied its own page in the issue, and the rest of the page was blank – in other words Mike thought that leaving the rest of the page empty was better than publishing any of the other 9 pieces. A truly valuable lesson, the first of many from you both, and also Bryan and other guest editors over the years.
‘Tis the end of an era.
thank you again
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Dear Mike & Kelly,
I am so sorry to hear of your medical struggles, but I am very glad you are taking the time to care for yourselves. I am very sad to see Failed Haiku end, but I want to thank you again for publishing my work. Thank you for teaching me, entertaining me, and nurturing me through your publication.
Be well,
Mark
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Dear Mike and Kelly,
Words seem inadequate to express how much both of you, Bryan, and other editors of Failed Haiku have meant to me and to my growth as a poet. I thank you from the bottom of my heart, and I so hope you’ll both be feeling much better soon.
You will be tremendously missed.
Love, Eavonka
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Much love to Mike, Kelly & all past editors of Failed. My thanks for all of your hard work & dedication. Many haiku poets, like me, cut our teeth here—and kept coming back for your warm, friendly & fun publication. You will be missed!
after midnight
just me
and the crickets
Julie Bloss Kelsey
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Dear Mike and Kelly,
At the end of the day, our health is all we have, and we have to do all we can to maintain it. As they say, all good things must come to an end, thank you for everything you’ve done to give us haiku misfits a place to shine. I wish you both healing and peace.
petro
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Dear Kelly and Mike,
Although I’ve been a member of the failed haiku family for just the past six months, I’ve learned a lot and been entertained along the way. I thank you for that and for including my pieces, as well.
I wish you the very best of health and happiness. You’ve done so much for so many of us and we are forever thankful for your expertise, patience, honesty and perhaps most of all, your kindness and generosity.
Sincerely yours,
Doug Sylver
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Mike, you are a real one. My heart will be with you, Kelly, and the rest of the Failed Haiku family for always.
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Dear Kelly and Mike,
I am sorry to hear about the closure of Failed Haiku which has been a favorite journal for me whose age in the world of haiku has been as small as it is. I feel sorrier because I have been out of touch with magazines in general since the end of 2024 and as such missed to submit to Failed Haiku for its final issue. I have always liked everything about Failed Haiku.
A journal is no different from a living being, hence the end of a physical presence can be understood. I wish you both the best of health and the highest spirit wherever you are and in whatever you do.
With regards
Biswajit
Biswajit Mishra
Calgary, Canada
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thank you so much for all the years of Failed Haiku—and through it, your celebration of the poetry we love.
be well
Maxianne
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Dear Kelly and Mike,
I’m absolutely heart-broken to hear your wonderful journal is coming to an end. It’s always been a joy to read, and I shall always be grateful to you and earlier editors, who gave my poems a “home”.
However, I totally understand your need to look after your physical and mental health. That has to be your priority.
I wish both of you all the best in the future.
With love and and thanks,
Jenny
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Dear Mike and Kelly (and all the other poets who were editors at various times),
I echo the feelings of all of the above posters. Some of my first publications of ‘failed haiku’ (aka senryu although I still have trouble discerning the difference after all this time) were in Failed Haiku back to 2015 or 2016 (so far back, I can’t even find the issue on the site). Your email responses kept me writing especially when I felt it was hopeless to even attempt to write haiku except for myself. Thank you so much. Mike, here is one of the first ones from the Failed Haiku May 1, 2016 issue (there may be older ones but, I can’t find them at the moment).
tapping out
just one tablet from bottle
I Ching
While I will miss reading Failed Haiku, I wish you both healing and peace in your next chapter.
All my best,
Nancy Brady
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Mike, I’ll address this just to you since I’ve known you for almost 25 years. Thank you for being a good influence on my writing, for inviting me to join the group you were running at the time, for encouraging me always and publishing me many times in this journal, for being a good friend . I understand the health issue. I was taken by surprise by the journal’s closing since my illness has flared over this past year and my ability to submit has gone way down.please take care of yourself. Thank you, Kelly for standing in and best wishes to you, too.
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So sorry to hear this is the last issue. Failed Haiku has been one of my favorite journals to read and for submissions since I came to haibun. Thank you for the support over the years, and please both be well!
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Dear Kelly and Mike, while I’m saddened to hear that Failed Haiku is closing I do think you’re doing the right thing. Your health and happiness is paramount so I wish you all the best for the future. Thank you both for all your support over the years. My first acceptances at FH were in Issue 11, a senryu (and a haiga):
paper cut
out of my mind
you will not go
Thanks again, and let us know how you’re getting along.
John
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I’m so sad to read that this will be the very last issue of ‘Failed Haiku’ – one of my absolute favourites – I shall really miss it. But sending all good wishes and warmest thanks to you both, Kelly and Mike.
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I remember my first submission. I sent haiku that didn’t really work as haiku. My failed haiku because of the title. I thought my pieces that didn’t quite work had found a home. Of course they didn’t. But I still find the name of the journal ironic.
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Though I was not a regular contributor to Failed Haiku, I am very fond of it and its policies. I am sorry to hear that health issues and haiku politics have led to this decision. I wish you both peace and good health.
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Dear Mike, Kelly, Bryan and all who were part of the Failed Haiku all these years,
To say Thank you is to say nothing. Words are inadequate to express gratitude for your endeavour and kindness.
What a wonderful enlightening enjoyable and inspirational experience it has been!
Sadly all good things come to an end. Alas!
But. What is left behind will not disappear.
Big hugs and blessings to all
Natalia
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I am saddened that this is the last issue of Failed Haiku. I know from experience the effects that health issues leave in their wake, so I understand what leads both you Mike & Kelly to call it a day. Your work and dedication is appreciated by many. May you enjoy future days in better health and serenity. Regards and blessings to both of you.
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Dear Mike and Kelly, it is with great sadness that I have noted your health challenges and also that the Issue #111 will be the final issue of Failed Haiku. I must share that Failed Haiku has had a huge impact on me during my formitive years as a haiku poet. I was greatly encouraged to submit to journals by your acceptance of my earlier poems. I still enjoy submitting here and it was heartbreaking for me now as I have shortlisted 10 senryu waiting for the submission window to open on the 10th of September without knowing that Issue #111 was the final issue. As a journal editor myself, I understand what it takes to keep an journal going across years and I sincerely appreciate your efforts. From the bottom of my heart, a gozilla sized – THANK YOU!
Both of you have been such gentle and fine souls and your editorial work will surely and sorely be missed.
This is my first acceptance in the journal in June 2021
silver jubilee
the couple’s diet
lacks salt and spice
The above poem(s) will be in the ‘Back from the Dead’ issue of Failed Haiku!!!
Mike
And the final acceptance email was from Kelly dated 13 July 2025. The accepted ones feature in this issue and I am so privileged and proud of it.
Sending loads of love and healing your way. Stay blessed.
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I read the words of your retirement from Failed Haiku with a heavy heart. Indeed we live in perilous times.. I am so sorry your health has forced you into closing Failed Haiku. Failed Haiku published the first haibun I ever wrote and I feel like I have grown up as a haibun/haiku poet on your pages. Know you were- are- a force for creativity and civility. I will light a candle for you.
Thank you for your time
Shasta Hatter
Gresham, Oregon
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I am sorry to hear this sad news. You have been an inspiration to me, and I’m sure many others. Sorry too that you are a little disillusioned with the haiku/senryu world. You know, I’m sure there would be someone out there willing to carry the torch for you and keep this going. Best wishes Melissa
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Dear Mike & Kelly,
I’m beyond sorry to hear this news, but I fully understand and support your decision. It’s been the honour of a lifetime to have had work included in nearly every issue of the journal since its inception, and I’m grateful for your generous support and friendship over the years. FH will be missed (and so will you), but its legacy will live on! A thousand thanks for all you have done to foster an appreciation of senryū throughout the world. You have made our poetry community a better place, and your hard work and dedication is appreciated more than you know. Wishing you good health, happiness, and peace.
much love & many blessings,
Debbie
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