THE HAIBUN GALLERY: February 12, 2026 K. Ramesh - Guest Editor
- Kala Ramesh
- Feb 12
- 1 min read
editors on haikuKATHA: Shalini Pattabiraman, Vidya Shankar, Firdaus Parvez and Kala Ramesh
Guest Editor: K. Ramesh
Featured Poet: Joanna Ashwell
A Thursday Feature February 12, 2026
Lost and Found
It rolls out of the cupboard unexpectedly. I had forgotten that it was there. The ball with the tiny teeth marks. All your toys were placed in a bag and packed away in the shed but this has found a way back into my memory.
heart strings every bounce and spin the puppy’s endless game Joanna Ashwell
Posted in The Haibun Gallery on Nov 15, 2005
Comments:
When I was young, I used to visit Kerala, my hometown, during the summer vacation. Once, when I was there, my cousin gave me a toy boat, and I would play with it. After the vacation, on the day we had to go back home, I couldn’t find the toy boat, and I spent a long time searching for it. I still remember the toy boat and the sound it made as it moved in a bucket of water. This haibun by Joanna brought back memories…
Prompt:
Write a haibun about something that was dear to you, which you lost and found again after some years
***
Thanks, Ramesh.
Another interesting haibun.
I'm sure our members will enjoy this piece.
_kala
The Haibun Gallery continues as is.
We will be having editors and prompts, and your sharing …
#2
Made in Nepal
One of the few things made in my country are handcrafts. Otherwise, my country too, like any other countries, is bombarded with Chinese goods. It is made of leather. It's light brown. Of course, my favorite. Since my wife keeps stealing cash from my wallet, first person I think of her is certainly her. I call her to give it back or suffer the consequence.
I know
nothing can equal her...
even all the gold
Tejendra Sherchan, Nepal
#1 (My first haibun)
Transience (Edited title as suggested by @joanna ashwell . Thank you, Joanna ✨️)
Original title: Paisley Motifs
It was always there — lying folded in the corner of the cupboard. Stitched from leftover fabric, I had kept the tote unused. Yesterday, I felt "let me carry this to my college." It had the charming trendy, retro polkadots all over. I took it out and spread it on bed to smooth the slightly bulging folds. There it was — my silk scarf! I had given up hope to wear it again. It still smells of the musk he wears.
I wrap again
my silk scarf —
paisley motifs
found in the folds
of seasons
Rashmi Buragohain
India
#1, 13/02
This too Happens
I wind up all the memories of father after his passing away and get ready to travel back to my hometown. I bring home mother too.
All the important documents of house and bank books are neatly packed in a black bag. After a night's journey, we get down at Trivandrum. Since I have my aged mother with me, I ask my husband to count the baggages
We return home to find that our black bag is missing. I rush to the station. Luckily, the police and the coach attendant had carefully taken care of the bag. An unusual switch over of bags for easy convenience became a discomfort.
obsessed —
I start
Yutori
Lakshmi…
#1 Revised
With Joanna Ashwell's input. A huge thanks to her.
A Pair of Slippers
bright side
of being Oliver Twist
little things matter
First time I wear slippers is when I am about eight years old. My half-brother used to teach in a village school. Schools had summer holidays for two months. I am staying with my aunt in Tatopani for the holidays, a town named after its hot spring. On the way back, he asks me to accompany him home. He walks back home from the district capital after receiving his paycheck. Almost a day's walk since there is not any transportation means. There is another little town called Babiyachaur on the way before our home…
Slumber Trail
I found her in the attic, wrapped in a blanket. My beloved panda, hugged into a flattened bear. She would rest on my pillow night after night while I chased down sleep. Sleep, the elusive one. A lantern upturned with only shadows spilling through the darkness. Night terrors, over and over. I cradled her closer, praying for peace. Waiting for the first rays of morning light. How surprised that I still hold the love and will not part with her ragged fur.
moon-steps
finding a way
back to dreams
Joanna Ashwell
UK