There’s a certain feeling you get in nature—when the trees seem to shift their weight toward you, or the breeze carries a knowing hush. That uncanny, almost mystical sense that nature is aware of you, too.
We asked poets to capture that feeling in just 17 syllables for our latest Haiku Feud on Instagram. The responses were breathtaking; tiny windows into moments where the natural world stared back.
Here’s the winning haiku that took first place:
🏆 Winning Haiku by Aaron Lelito
sedulous velvet
comes high in porous disguise—
moth-like leaves blink night
🥈 Runner-Up by Jeff Moss
Night frogs, peepers, chirp-
jaundice coyote orbs bob
along the tree line
And because every submission was incredible, we’re sharing them all below. Take a slow breath and imagine yourself standing in these moments…
Haiku Feud Submissions
Entranced by the flames
Together under the moon
Their eyes follow me
by Arella Reyes
golden prairie sea
sunflower-faces follow
me, into the stars
by Michael Lopez
a dark owl spies
my gold jar of fireflies
the night holds its breath
by Lisa Anna Maust
Rivers flow
like eternity
dip your toes
by Joseph Adomavicia
They scout horizons
Eyeing from the skies to find
An unbeaten heart
by Savannah Guenthner
Soft breeze caresses
Diffusing sweet melodies
From choir of creatures
by Malia Gibson
You can seek nature
Try to capture a moment
Eyes only no frame
by Sarah Valero
I felt abandoned.
But then a tree's branch reached out,
To pat my shoulder.
by Shinae Galli
Quivering dough dreams
The squirrel awaits your crust
Hypervigilant
by Elizabeth Bihn
The blue ocean waves
Mischievous Moon laughs out loud
It was me silly
by Megan Gore
Mother saw me undress
Bared my skin to the sun’s smile
As horizon winked.
by Brock Brockington
Pigeon heads U-Turn
Butter toast enters tunnel
Crumbs pindrop concrete
by Vevna Forrow
I asked for sunshine,
but day after day it rained.
On my last day: sun.
by Lia Velazquez
Stop following me
You are breathing down my neck
Oh it’s just the wind
by Kristen Semeniak
Waiting and wilting
For once it decides to move
A breeze soothes my soul
by Susan Steele
Eagle and osprey
scouting prey, circle above
us – naked and brave.
by Yvonne Moss
The clouds are forming
The sky is growing darker
Can you smell the rain
by Stacy Ronk
a murder of crows
an unkindness of ravens
mimic what we do
by Samantha Wallen
Passing winds eavesdrop
Coincidence left the chat
Amazement each day
by Gilbert Martinez
Breathtaking vistas
Existing only for me
Or so I assumed…
by Drew Pryak
bruising winds of wrath,
swift judgement comes approaching.
sit before the storm.
by Jodi Kurpiel
trees hold deep secrets
beneath their skin and wait for
our certain demise
by Kurt Young Binter
The river whispers
Pines bend the ear of neighbors
You are seen and heard
by Iain Watson
What if the dead stars
We pray to pray back, graced by
A world caught on fire?
by Avery Clair
Not just a feeling
a connection with the world
faces seen in clouds
by Meghan Hardwick
step outside: the air
bright & ancient, beckons you
like a dear old friend
by Fani Avramopoulou
noise of southern night
look at the darkened woods and
the woods will look back
by Taylor Carvalho
The birds and the bees
Stare transfixed through our window
A lesson in Love
by Max Stossel
Join the Next Haiku Feud
Want to see your words featured next time? Follow us on Instagram @haikuists for the next Haiku Feud prompt.
Bring Poetry to Your Next Event
Imagine this same magic live at your event. Our typewriter poets create one-of-a-kind haiku for your guests in real time.
Perfect for:
✨ Weddings
✨ Corporate events
✨ Birthday parties & anniversaries
✨ Brand activations
