My Submissions To Haiku in the Now Challenge

The Haiku in the Now Challenge opened on Vocal.Media on January 27, 2026 and closed on March 11, 2026. I found out about it on March 1 and submitted 41 entries in 11 days.

I followed all the rules to make sure my entries would be accepted.

• I wrote each haiku that captured a small, precise moment from the present without reflection, explanation, commentary, or conclusion.
• I was tempted to give the meaning in the haiku, but I resisted that impulse and left it up to readers to decide for themselves.
• I wrote from inside the present tense to present the haiku as a single act.
• I refrained from telling the reader what the moment meant to me and why.
• I wrote what I saw and heard without citing any personal opinions or details.
• I made sure to write exactly three lines, not more or less.
• I counted the syllables in each line using the 5-7-5 method.
• I used the true haiku form by not using punctuation.
• I am aware that the word "haiku" can be singular or plural, much like sheep, deer, and shrimp.

Constantly On My Mind

Writing the 3-line poem was constantly on my mind. I dreamed about images to write about. For 11 consecutive days, I woke up ready to write the haiku I had dreamed about.

It would be an honor to win one of the prizes, but I had a lot of fun participating in the Haiku in the Now Challenge. I was one of thousands on the site who wrote the same type of poem. I read what other writers wrote and reminded them to submit their own haiku to the Challenge.

My Personal Favorites

I did my best to perfect each haiku. Most of them focus on nature, including butterflies, a rainbow, trees, flowers, birds, frogs, worms, fish, animals, seasons, and dew on the ground.

I love every haiku I wrote, but I do have some personal favorites. I read them often and laugh at them.

Frogs Haiku

Frogs hiding their crowns

Waiting in line to be kissed

By a pretty girl

I resisted the urge to comment on this haiku within the poem. Hopefully, readers will relate it to the myth that is told in the three lines.

Fluttering Catfish Haiku

A catfish flutters

On the deck of a large ship

Awaiting its fate

I think this haiku is easy to understand. I don't go fishing, but I understand it and wanted to share it with others, especially those who fish.

A Small Bird

Small dove falls from nest

Unable to move on ground

Nest is built nearby

I was filled with emotions as I wrote this haiku. The 17 syllables say a lot. I left it up to the readers to determine what was going on with the small bird.

The Mail Collection Box

I deliberately chose to include a mail collection box in honor of my former job as a letter carrier. Also, in my college writing class, students were required to write an essay about something they saw that day. Of course, an essay is much longer than a haiku. However, I was able to condense a page-long essay down to only 17 syllables.

Mail collection box

Waiting alone on the street

For letters to come

Call To Action

If you enjoyed anything you liked in the article, click on the heart to let me know. Also, feel free to comment below. Here is a haiku written just for you.

Thanks for responding = 5 syllables

Grateful for sincere comments = 7 syllables

Have a joyful day = 5 syllables

A Gift For You

Flowers are pretty

Yellow roses are sunshine

Welcomed in our hands