It has been some time since this pedometer geek poet has submitted to the online journal of English senryu, Failed Haiku. In the past, I made the effort to submit to this online journal as many of my senryu were accepted by the editor, Mike Rehling. (Thanks, Mike.) Then this pedometer geek stopped submitting for no other reason than laziness, thus missing the cut-off date for submissions.
More recently, like the previous year, this poet seemed to have lost the drive to write, ignoring whatever little inspiration there was. With a digital camera in hand daily walks became an opportunity to photograph the local community’s flora and fauna. Learning to use Photoshop also took time away from writing.
Yet, there were a few writing highlights (and most of them where shared on previous blog posts, but I digress) and there was the publication of a few haiku in Stardust Haiku journal as well as The Haiku Foundation’s Haiku Dialogue’s weekly forum.
As this year began, though, this poet has made an effort to submit to more journals. A local group made up a list of various journals and their submission dates, and that has helped me to keep focused. No, I don’t submit to all journals, and I have had some rejections, but I have had quite a few haiku selected for publication including this month’s Failed Haiku, which was edited by Bryan Rickert. (Thanks Bryan.) The following senryu are as follows:
new year
a new diary filled
the same news
senior prom
she wears a mask
that matches her gown
footprints in the snow
my granddaughter asks
if she’s a princess
so proud
my grandson shows off
the hole in his smile
drowning
in throw pillows
i dream of marshmallows
~Nancy Brady, 2021
To read the whole issue, which is jam-packed with over 200 pages of senryu, haibun, and haiga, check out http://www.failedhaiku.com. There are some really excellent senryu and all are worth reading. Another thank you to Paula J. Lambert for some editing help with my “so proud” senryu.
,
Delightful.
I have thought about submitting to journals – I do submit to the online ‘Pure Haiku’ – but I’m happy with how things are going with my blog. I am not a fan of editing poems (especially short verse). Too many of mine that I’ve allowed that to happen to (paid for or not), – the flavor of the verse was changed, and I don’t like when that happens. I do not have strong definitions in my mind as to ‘what is what’ in regards to most American Style Japanese forms. I don’t always play by the rules. I know that, and I don’t need someone else’s confirmation of that 😉
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JP,
I understand exactly how you feel, especially in regards to editing. I have allowed a few modifications (moving one word to another line), but mostly I fight it with everything I have. Some editor wanted to majorly change my poem, but when I explained why it had to be the way it was, she capitulated.
Besides you have a successful blog, a successful writing career. You write daily and publish daily as well. You stand up for yourself (and your writing)…so proud to call you a dear friend. ❤
~nan
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🙂
Just in case you missed it…
You might find some humor – here:
Feelin’ Woozie
While I’m not that far gone yet…
Be well and healthy ((Hugs))
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This was wonderful. Congrats:)
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Thank you, nightlake.
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