different lessons
Haiku by Patricia Carragon, Joanna Ashwell, Jennifer Gurney, Robin White, and Veronica Hosking
kids stretch their legs—
dandelion seeds
in the wind
Patricia Carragon
Brooklyn, New York, USA
popsicle days
bare legs jumping
every ocean wave
Joanna Ashwell
United Kingdom
the first
lemonade stand
selling sunshine in a cup
Jennifer Gurney
Broomfield, Colorado, USA
screen door slams
grandma's ire
in or out - pick one
Robin White
Cochran, Georgia, USA
run up grassy hill
clothes stained green from rolling down
mom’s laundry woes grow
Veronica Hosking
Avondale, Arizona, USA
Editor Bio: Melissa Dennison writes Japanese short-form poetry inspired by the natural world, particularly the little creatures that share her space. She has been widely published in journals and online publications, such as Presence, Blithe Spirit, Under the Bashō, Five Fleas Itchy Poetry, FreshOutMag, Prune Juice, Poetry Pea, and The Pan Haiku Review. Her poems have been included in various anthologies as well. Melissa has been nominated for a Touchstone award and is a 2025 Golden Pea Award winner for best senryū. She is also one of the co-hosts at The Haiku Foundation’s re:Virals.
Tip Jar
Haiku Girl Summer will always be a free publication. If you want to make a financial contribution, please visit Allyson Whipple’s Buy Me a Coffee page. Mention Haiku Girl Summer in the comment box and your donation will go into a pool that will be divided among the guest editors at the end of the 2026 editorial run.
Merch
If you want to even more ways to share the summer love, you can check out the Haiku Girl Summer merch shop. We have T-shirts and tank tops along with hats, mugs, buttons, and a spiral notebook. Email me if there are other items you’d like to see!
