World Haiku Series 2019 (134)
Haiku by Neal Whitman
sakura blossoms
loose in an envelope
priority mail
Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival, 2019 Best USA
さくらの花
封筒の中に解き放たれた
優先メール
one lone white stork
lifts off the mirrored lake
fading echo
White Stork Contest, Three Rivers, Croatia, highly commended 2017
一羽の孤独な白いコウノトリ
鏡のような湖から飛び立つ
消えていく反響音
not a window
but a mirror
full cold moon
San Francisco International Contest, 2016 second prize haiku
窓ではなく鏡
冷たい満月
the spring tide
goes out in a rush
limpets hold on
Ito En Grand Prix Haiku, 2016 silver prize
春の潮
あわただしく引いていく
カサガイがしがみつく
cool
on a blistering day
her silver flute
Ito En Grand Prix Haiku, 2015 bronze prize
涼しい
焼けつくような日に
彼女の銀笛
night crossing
Tijuana border guard
in dark glasses
Haiku Society of America, 2014 first prize senryu
夜の交差点
ティファナ国境警備隊
サングラスで
in the hot tub
my eyes on her floating breasts
Hunter’s Moon
Haiku Society of America, 2013 honorable mention
温水浴槽で
彼女の浮いている胸に私の目
狩猟月
pumpkins
stacked in a pyramid
postcard from home
Pumpkin Festival, Ivanic Grad, Croatia, second prize
カボチャ
ピラミッド型に積み上げられた
故郷からのはがき
old bottle of wine
my mother’s oldest sister
she never married
Magazine of Romanian-Japanese Relationships, 2016 third award
ワインの古いボトル
母の長姉
結婚したことがない
our old mastiff
sleeping by the fireplace
his farts forgiven
Diogen Pro Kultura Magazin, 2012 first prize winter senryu
私たちの年老いたマスチフ（犬）
暖炉のそばで寝ている
彼のオナラは許される
— Translated by Hidenori Hiruta
Bio:
Neal Whitman lives with his wife, Elaine, in Pacific Grove on California Central Coast’s Monterey Peninsula where land meeting ocean inspires his poetry and her photography.
He is Vice President of the United Haiku and Tanka Society and haiku editor for Pulse: Voices from the Heart of Medicine.
They are proud to be donors to the Monterey Symphony and to attend the 2019 annual gala at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Akita International Haiku Network 
Wondrous work!
Alan Summers
Call of the Page
Stunning. Thank you.
Alan is an old chum, so his kind words are welcome. But, a grace note from Mary Jo, not someone at this moment known to me, at least not right now, was a special dose of medicine in midst of pandemic. To her I say, much thanks. You helped.
Beal
Dear haiku poets, or haijin, thank you very much for having sent fine haiku for the World Haiku Series 2019.
Sharing nice works of haiku is one of the greatest pleasures in life. Thanks a million again for having given such a good time, a rich source of inspiration, and a big delight. Hidenori Hiruta