laughALONG! 2 September, 2025

A TUESDAY FEATURE

hosts: Padma Rajeswari, K. Ramesh

guest editor: Padma Rajeswari

Only the unpublished poems (that are never published on any social media platform/journals/anthologies) posted here for each prompt will be considered for Triveni Haikai India's monthly journal -- haikuKATHA, each month.

Poets are requested to post poems (haiku/senryu) that adhere to the prompts/exercises given.

Only 1 poem to be posted in 24 hours. Total 2 poems per poet are allowed each week (numbered 1,2). So, revise your poems till 'words obey your call'.

If a poet wants feedback, then the poet must mention 'feedback welcome' below each poem that is being posted.

Responses are usually a mixture of grain and chaff. The poet has to be discerning about what to take for the final version of the poem or the unedited version will be picked up for the journal.

The final version should be on top of the original version for selection.

Poetry is a serious business. Give you best attempt to feature in haikuKATHA !!

.....................................................................................................................................

When I first stumbled upon haiku during the peak of the COVID lockdowns, I felt a mix of emotions—wonder, delight, and a dash of perplexity. How could so much be captured in so few words?

At first, I assumed humor would be impossible to convey in a haiku—certainly nothing like my all-time favorite, Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K Jerome. Here’s an excerpts featuring Montmorency at his mischievous best:

“He came and sat down on things, just when they were wanted to be packed; and he laboured under the fixed belief that, whenever Harris or George reached out their hand for anything, it was his cold, damp nose that they wanted. He put his leg into the jam, and he worried the teaspoons, and he pretended that the lemons were rats, and got into the hamper and killed three of them before Harris could land him with the frying-pan.”

I was quickly proved wrong. I have come across haiku so sharp and unexpected, that they had me laughing out loud.

the whole room

to herself, still the mosquito

after me

            - Kala Ramesh

loud applause

for the last speech

before lunch

            - Dee Evetts

cousins from the city

visit the farm

and try to drown our ducks

            - John Sheirer

This week, I invite you to come up with your own haiku on humor.