2026 living in Lang's Metropolis

the shortlisted haiku in The Renku Sessions

tsuri-dōrō

It's a project — consider yourselves my accountability buddies. I couldn’t resist naming this kind of haiku: paintku. A definition and rules (Photo 3&4). Today: Pablo Picasso, Guernica (1937) spring gust – the absence of mother’s cry Feel free to join in, any form or interpretation. #paintku

One of my goals for 2026 is to write haiku inspired by paintings. I’m kicking things off with a haiku inspired by Norman Rockwell’s Freedom of Speech (1943). Feel free to join if you’d like. in neighbors' gaze the depth of his speech

footprints still on the beach- carbon #haiku #senryu #environment

Agree.

Before a holiday pause, wishing you a merry Christmas and thank you for being part of my writing journey. Your support helped me through difficult moments and encouraged me to experiment with poetry. Here's an undecorated tree as a nod to haiku - attentive to essence. THREAD

cigar ash- whodunnit killer revealed Martina Matijević #PJJournal #prompt 08 #WritingCommunity

My first winter haiku this season. sleet sound- sleep music played live #sleet #dailyhaikuprompt

continuing my thoughts on more writing in dialect, the revelation for me was when I was introduced to Zora Neale Hurston and "Their Eyes Were Watching God." The book is completely written in Black Southern English/Ebonics. IT. WAS. A. REVELATION. Id always been taught that folks...

Here’s my take on Heartfyre. Thanks, Mike, for such an inspiring prompt—it prompted me to write a longer poem! I wanted to practice writing poems, since I’ve mostly focused on short poetry so far. Also, thank you for an interesting and engaging week. #retroartprompt #heartfyre

clear sky- a mountain sits below the mountain rearview- past finally looks beautiful lake reflection- cheaper than therapy #haiku #senryu #retroartprompt

evergreen forest sfumato of eternity Martina Matijević #haiku #senryu #retroartprompt

with each flap albatross merges with the ocean Martina Matijević #haiku #senryu

Krampus “for adults only” his gunny sack collects dust Martina Matijević #haiku #senryu #retroartprompt

clinking glasses- the last sip of #Glühwein completes our tour Martina Matijević #haiku #senryu #retroartprompt

@tinamatijev.bsky.social One for the tastes mentioned on your profile. Thanks for your support: Behemoth drinks tea / and totes a gun for Master / still runs for a treat #haiku #poem #cat #bulgakov

where did this cold come from... Mr. Scarecrow? Issa #haiku Lanoue, trans.

mackerel sky- mom's scarf wrinkling Martina Matijević #haiku #senryu

Amen.

hanging out with a bushtit nest witch’s hair — part of the rengay “Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge” published in Raining Rengay, issue #6, 2025 #haiku #poetry #poem

climate change species extinction becomes word of mouth Martina Matijević #haiku #senryu

oceans- the Earth crying Martina Matijević #haiku #senryu

when beheaded still beautiful a white rose Martina Matijević #haiku #senryu

mackerel sky on my nightstand- empty blister pack Martina Matijević #haiku #senryu

hummingbird song my mind's portrait Martina Matijević #haiku #senryu

insomnia... the dream's end hides in the rising sun Martina Matijević #haiku #senryu

deep forest lamb bleat guides me back Martina Matijević #haiku #senryu

winter solitude- the maze of loneliness I can't escape Martina Matijević #haiku #senryu

poppies pop and supplant fallen soldiers Martina Matijević #haiku #senryu

her funeral all is still but crows' caws Martina Matijević #haiku #senryu

seaside walk the breeze blows away thoughts Martina Matijević #haiku #senryu

my unsolicited therapy session- still pond reflection Martina Matijević #haiku #senryu

a pigeon gang stealing bits of bread from a beggar Martina Matijević #haiku #senryu

wave after wave a thought carried away... Martina Matijević #haiku #senryu

my lover enters through the window- moonlight Martina Matijević #haiku #senryu

smoke explosion the new age of steam Martina Matijević #haiku #senryu

she still has the last word- headstone Martina Matijević #haiku #senryu

salmon spawn- flipping over life choices Martina Matijević #haiku #senryu

power cut our kitchen full of horror stories Martina Matijević #haiku #senryu

willow's sound- the eulogy I never gave Martina Matijević #haiku #senryu

glacier moving- the map of global warming Martina Matijević #haiku #senryu

global warming even corals get grays Martina Matijević #haiku #senryu

Milky Way- cobblestones I'm yet to reach Martina Matijević #haiku #senryu

childhood home- my bedsheet tent full of mold Martina Matijević #haiku #senryu

my grandma's wrinkly hands- mackerel sky Martina Matijević #haiku #senryu

the apartment I wish I could buy full moon Martina Matijević #haiku #senryu

a stranger to my nephews family feud Martina Matijević #haiku #senryu