pressed buds no time like the past (Femku, 30, July 2021) 押し固められた蕾 過去のように時はない bees om blossom (Haiku Dialogue, February 10, 2021) ミツバチ オム 花 daily jog an abundance of may (Frogpond, 44.3, Autumn 2021) 毎日のジョギング 5月の 豊かさ on top of everything pollen (The Heron’s Nest, 23.3, September 2021) あらゆる物の 上に 花粉 summer’s end ... covid clinging to its skirts (Modern Haiku, 52.1, Winter - Spring 2021) 夏の終わり コロナウイルスがしがみついている そのスカートに masked crocodile crossing that bridge back to school (Presence, 68, March 2021) マスクをかけたワニ その橋を渡っている 学校に戻る Guy Fawkes’ the bonfire splutters on (tsuri-doro, 3, May - June 2021) ガイフォークスの人形 焚き火が 飛び散る before the moon can recover ... he skims another stone (The Mainichi, July 12, 2021) 月が回復する前に 彼は別の石をすれすれに投げる gallery shut rain splashes the sidewalk (The Mainichi, September 9, 2021) ギャラリー閉鎖 雨がしぶきを上げる 歩道に one last turn around the moat cold moon (Wales Haiku Journal, Autumn 2021) 最後の1ターン 堀の周り 寒々しい月 ― Translated into Japanese by Hidenori Hiruta

BIO:
Helen Buckingham lives in Wells, England. Her previous year’s credits include: Haiku 2021 (Modern Haiku Press, 2021), Contemporary Haibun 16 (Red Moon Press, 2021) and being shortlisted, for the fourth time, for a Touchstone Single Haiku Award. Among her collections are: water on the moon and mirrormoon (Original Plus Press, 2010) and sanguinella (Red Moon Press, 2017).
Dear Hiruta,
What a lovely way to end the day! Thank you so much. Although I know it’s coming, it’s always a wonderful surprise. I really appreciate all the hard work you put into these columns, not least the translations which I feel very honoured to have.
Take care, and thanks again.
All best wishes,
Helen
Thank you for the lovely read! “before the moon can recover” – such a wonderful haiku!
Thanks so much, Sasha, really appreciated!