Only Human, 2026

hanami—
the pink shades
of my daydream


silent prayer—
the lingering warmth
of a shrine’s diya


sudden departure
his one sock
still on the bed


ONLY HUMAN, Issue 1.2 September 2026
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/693c80987ad1c57bf2bd9eaa/t/6abfa1e53499a334361db59f/1790943717956/Only+Human+Issue+1.2.pdf

Fugu Soup Journal, 2026

first hot night—
dust sighs
from the vent


*

downpour—
the cursive notes
of a diagnostician

Published in Fugu Soup Journal, Issue One, Autumn 2026

https://fugusoupjournal.blogspot.com/2026/10/issue-one-out-now.html#more

Pebbles - Petrichor Mag, 2026

spring dawn
a flying monal
blooms the sky

*

moving day
frost whitening
the shared fence


#31 – Pebbles vol. 7 of Petrichor Mag, Autumn 2026

https://petrichormag.com/31-pebbles-vol-7/

Folk Ku, 2026

on the forest trail
the wind and I
remain unknown


how long
will it last?
spring snow


first spring light
a young mantis
stretching in the grass


Folk Ku, issue 7 by King River Press 

https://kingriverpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/folk-ku-issue-7-may-june-2026-pdf-edition-3.pdf

Haiku Magazine, 2026

early summer rain
the white peacock opens wide
its covert feathers

Haiku Magazine, a part of Haiku Imperium and waxpoetryart.com, Sept 15, 2026

https://waxpoetryart.com/haikumagazine/published/2026-3-hifsaashraf.html#google_vignette

Frogpond, 2026

another round
of the virtual gossip
deep snow


a soft nudge
from the street cat
spring breeze

Frogpond spring/summer issue 49.2 (September 2026)

https://www.hsa-haiku.org/frogpond/2026-issue49-2/editor.html

dadakuku, 2026

ink smearing through my aura an ellipse of moths

Published in dadakuku, September 16, 2026

https://dadakuku.com/2026/09/16/9090/

The Other Bunny, 2026

dunes after dunes over 6000 eyes buzzing around the moon

Published in The Other Bunny, September 14, 2026

https://theotherbunny.blog/2026/09/14/poem-51/

O2 Haiku Literary Magazine’s inaugural anthology, 2026

peeling onions
layer after layer
this emptiness

Poets Corner - O2 Haiku Literary Mag, Sept 22, 2026

https://www.o2haiku.com/writers/spmtrm3ethammmt-9w4lk

--------

river pebbles
reshaping
my reflection


kintsugi—
pale moss fills the cracks
of the cemetery path

O2 Haiku Literary Magazine’s inaugural anthology, Into the Open Air, Volume 1, 2026

https://www.o2haiku.com/anthology

The Wee Sparrow Haiku Nook, 2026

summer evening
the sheen of blues

on skyscraper windows

The Wee Sparrow Haiku Nook, August 2026
https://www.theweesparrowpoetrypress.com/the-wee-sparrow-haiku-nook

The Cicada's Cry, 2026

summer meadow
each bee hums
its own tune

Published in The Cicada’s Cry, Summer 2026 Edition.

https://thecicadascry.blogspot.com/2026/08/the-cicadas-cry-summer-2026-edition.html?view=classic

Kokako, 2026

fireside story—
the last log crackles
into the ending

mountain hike—
the stars I never
named before


wooden planks
in the flooded river
drifting away
the scattered remains
of our dream house


white butterflies
in mom’s kitchen garden
fluttering around
when she returns home
after her full recovery


Published in Kokako 45, the New Zealand literary journal

https://kokako10.wordpress.com/current-issue/

PJCA’s first International Multilingual Haiku Anthology 2026

Served as Editor, Curator, and Urdu Translator for Pakistan Japan Cultural ssociation(PJCA)’s first International Multilingual Haiku Anthology 2026 produced in collaboration with the Embassy of Japan in Pakistan. The anthology is the first of its kind in the country, featuring 657 haiku submissions by 335 poets representing 45 countries.

Additional responsibilities included:

• Design, layout, and typesetting of the anthology
• Urdu translation and editorial coordination
• Writing regional section overviews
• Coordination and correspondence with all contributors 

Lulu: https://shorturl.at/DhdM4

PJCA website: https://pjca-isb.org/pjca-1st-international-haiku-anthology-2026/

------

Editorial Preface

Poetry has been an inspiring companion since my teenage years, when I began writing in English, Urdu, and Punjabi. From traditional poetry to Japanese-form micropoetry, this transition has enriched my creative expression, refined my voice, and expanded my artistic horizons. It has been a journey worth sharing, one that has allowed me to discover the best within myself and become one of the pioneers of Japanese-form micropoetry in English from Pakistan, receiving international recognition and accolades.

Among the poetry forms I practice, haiku has emerged as a powerful medium for awareness, simplicity, and connection. My engagement with this form deepened during my early literary years when Dr. Afzal Khan, British MP, encouraged me to explore social issues through haiku and share the stories of unheard voices. This guidance led to the publication of my award-winning debut haiku collection her fading henna tattoo by Robin Smith, a significant milestone in my creative expression. The experience deepened my connection with the wisdom of saijiki, where the changing seasons taught me to observe nature with mindfulness and express human experiences with greater understanding and compassion.

The same poetic vision that guided my creative expression found resonance while editing and curating the Pakistan Japan Cultural Association Islamabad’s first international multilingual haiku anthology. As a landmark initiative, this has been a deeply meaningful experience. It began as a simple thought and has transformed into a reality beyond my expectations. From its initial concept to the final collection, this endeavour enriched my understanding of collaboration, creativity, and connection through shared human experiences, while leaving me with invaluable memories to cherish.

Sakura Fubuki is not simply a haiku anthology; it nurtures a sense of belonging where poets capture fleeting moments of life, bringing together nature, humanity, and emotions through the symbolism of cherry blossoms. Reflecting the wabi-sabi of nature, the ma of silence, and the yūgen of human experience, this collection embraces the many shades of existence, from joy and beauty to sorrow and quiet farewells—exploring our relationship with nature, one another, and the universe.

Connecting with poets and engaging in creative dialogues with many of them about what shaped their haiku was a deeply rewarding experience. Their genuine approach and artistic insight reflected the true spirit of haiku. The Urdu and Japanese translations, along with photographs and images, enriched this anthology. While translating the poems into Urdu, I experienced the delicate art of translation, where capturing the spirit and essence of each poem requires sensitivity, creativity, and thoughtful interpretation across languages and cultures.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Embassy of Japan in Pakistan, particularly H.E. Mr. Akamatsu Shuichi, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, for his kind appreciation, and to the PJCA Executive Team, Mr. Jamal Shah, and Mr. Mushtaq Moeeni, for their guidance and encouragement throughout this creative endeavour.

As editor and curator of PJCA’s First International Multilingual Haiku Anthology, I feel honoured and humbled to contribute to this historical milestone in cultural diplomacy between Pakistan and Japan, where poets from diverse cultural backgrounds have woven Sakura Fubuki into a tapestry of shared expression through the universal language of poetry.

Hifsa Ashraf

Editor & Curator

--------

Team

Executive Team

Executive Director
Jamal Shah

Publication Director
Mushtaq Moeeni


Editorial Team

Editor & Curator
Hifsa Ashraf

Translators (haiku)

Hifsa Ashraf (Urdu)
Hidenori Hiruta (Japanese)
Yoshi Hozanshik Kohro (Japanese)

Reviewers & Proofreaders

Nicholas Klacsanzky (English)
Khawar Ejaz (Urdu)
Yoshi Hozanshik Kohro (Japanese)

Coordination & Correspondence
Hifsa Ashraf

Regional Section Overviews
Hifsa Ashraf

Compilation, Design & Typesetting
Hifsa Ashraf

Photo Credits

Front & Back Cover and Sections
Embassy of Japan in Pakistan

-------

Participating Countries


Algeria
Australia
Bangladesh
Belgium
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Canada
Croatia
England
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
India
Iran
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Jordan
Malaysia
Malta
Montenegro
Nepal
New Zealand
Nigeria
Northern Ireland
Pakistan
Philippines
Poland
Romania
Russia
Scotland
Serbia
Slovakia
South Africa
Spain
Sri Lanka
Switzerland
The Czech Republic
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom (UK)
United States of America (USA)
Ukraine
Wales

-------------------------------------------------

Reviews/Notes of appreciation

Publication highlights by Hidenori Hiruta FOR Akita International Haiku Network, Japan

https://akitahaiku.com/2026/08/19/8-19-pjcas-first-international-haiku-anthology-2026-sakura-fubuki-%e6%a1%9c%e5%90%b9%e9%9b%aa/

------

A note of appreciation by Issam on facebook about PJCA's anthology in Arabic. 

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18rpPLYBR4/

عصام الحاج عزمي وزوز

أبدعت الجمعية الثقافية الباكستانية اليابانية (PJCA)، بإدارة وإشراف الهايجن الصاعدة/ حفصة أشرف في إنتاج أول أنطولوجيا تضم نصوص هايكو من جميع أنحاء العالم بأسلوب كلاسيكي يحاكي القصيدة منذ النشأة، ويعطي بعداً يصف العمق ويشهق دهشة تسود بآنية الهايكو الجميل.

الهايكو عندما تراه أعين الهاجين من العالم أجمع، بنكهة مختلفة وتكون تلك التوليفة في ساكورا فوبوكي .. الثمار عالمية .. والنكهات يابانية ..

عندما تضم أنطولوجيا وفي عددها الأول 335 قصيدة هايكو، ومن 45 دولة فهو الإنجاز المبني على الايجابية والعمل وترك التنظير والانشغال بالأشخاص دون النصوص ...

الجمعية الثقافية الباكستانية اليابانية وبالتعاون مع سفارة إمبراطورية اليابان/ اسلام آباد والرائعة حفصة أشرف Hifsa Ashraf شكرا لكم على الجهد المقدر .. وإني سعيد جدا بهذه المشاركة ... وأدعو الجميع للمشاركة في هذه التظاهرة الثقافية الهايكوية بامتياز .

Eucalypt, a tanka journal, 2026

long food queue

a homeless child holds
his chipped bowl—
all day long, it gathers
nothing but dust

Eucalypt 40

Mono - A monoku chapbook 2026

fence post light sifting the ellipses of moths 

Published in Mono - A chapbook published by Pearl Pirie.

https://pearlpirie.com/blog/2026/06/17/mono/

Kizuna Mag, 2026

Many thanks to Mariko Kitakubo, President of the Tan-ku Association, Japan, for publishing my Tan-ku in Kizuna Magazine, Issue 04. It is an honour to collab with some great poets.

Change of Mind 

seeing you depart

from the haveli roof 

I caress

the heart-shaped henna tattoo

fading in my palm

distant mountains

I see clearly through

the rolling fog

Hifsa Ashraf, Pakistan 

Christine L. Villa, USA

------

The Turning Point 

spring breeze 

falling cherry petals

caress her cheeks

as she nods yes 

to her lover 

midnight shadows

the promises whispered

within close doors

Hifsa Ashraf, Pakistan 

Christine L. Villa, USA

-----

Salvation 

setting sun

above the baobab tree 

held awhile

in my eyes

an old grief 

night vigil
the sand grains
press into my knees

Hifsa Ashraf, Pakistan
Ibrahim Nureni, Nigeria

-------

Between sunshine and shadows 

talhi shadow

in the courtyard

still lingering 

the tiny footsteps 

from our childhood 

muslin cover

gran’s sweet and sour pickle 

full of sunshine

Hifsa Ashraf, Pakistan 

Arvinder Kaur, India

-------

Scented Breeze 

drifting through 

the central courtyard

jasmine fragrance

when i follow 

your whispers 

 

a breeze entices

with subtle hints

sweet seduction

Hifsa Ashraf, Pakistan

Paul Callus, Malta

------

Rippling 

drifting gondola
through the Grand Canal
my daydream

of soaring on

the ancient wind 

reflections in the water

the echo of time

cradles me 

Hifsa Ashraf, Pakistan

Oscar Luparia, Italy

-----

Shared Sky 

Baisakhi day

in the family field

dhol beats

and our bhangra 

fading all differences 

across the border

mustard fields bloom

the land of my ancestors

Hifsa Ashraf, Pakistan

Neena Singh, India

---------

Unfading 

Ramadan moon

through the train window 

a lingering smile

that stays with me

mile after mile 

your words I keep 

the warmth

of twilight

Hifsa Ashraf, Pakistan

Maryam Qureshi, Pakistan 

------

Conviction 

muezzin's call

drifts through the city haze 

a silent prayer

quivering on my lips

for the inner peace 

a little longer

I remain bowed...

lingering rain

Hifsa Ashraf, Pakistan 

Fatma Zohra Habis, Algeria  

----

Worn Smooth 

sharp edges

pieces of broken glass

rolled by the waves...

even the sea learns slowly

how to soften what cuts

twilight sky—

I stir the silence

into my tea

Fatma Zohra Habis, Algeria 

Hifsa Ashraf, Pakistan 

------

Turning Light 

morning stroll

along the River Thames 

against the flow

I listen to thoughts

I never shared 

Millennium wheel

through a Kaleidoscope 

the sun's take

Hifsa Ashraf, Pakistan

Robert Kingston, UK

-----

Echoes in Motion

two seagulls

circling anticlockwise

around Big Ben 

this deep longing 

to turn back time 

one leg on, one off

the playground roundabout 

paused for new riders 

Hifsa Ashraf, Pakistan

Robert Kingston, UK

-------

Solitary Walk 

forest wind

on my path—

this urge

to let go of

what no longer matters 

leaf litter—

the crunch whets

my appetite  

Hifsa Ashraf, Pakistan

Sherry Reniker, USA

-------

The Way Back 

evening stroll

across the sky

budding stars—

I keep humming

a childhood lullaby

friends reunion

on the kindergarten carousel

pink moon

Hifsa Ashraf, Pakistan  

Beata Czeszejko, Poland

Published in facebook, Kinzuna Mag, https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19AKun2npJ/