What is a haiku?

Haiku is a form of short poetry that originated in Japan. Traditional Japanese haiku are made up of three phrases with a 5, 7, 5 syllable pattern and include a kireji, or “cutting word,” and a kigo, which is a seasonal reference.

While the form originated in Japan, poets around the world now write haiku, with many modern adaptations having their own unique styles and traditions while still honoring the traditional structure.

James Bryant’s Dark Haiku

Departing from the traditional imagery of the natural world, Mr. Bryant focuses these poems in the Dark Haiku series on themes of suffering, death, and alienation.

Let’s embrace the darkness together. It is not for the faint of heart!

Own your own piece of darkness!!!

The following five works were published by Project 89 Media.

Book 1: In the Dead of Night (Kindle edition December 2021)

“Whereas the Japanese masters looked to nature for images of serenity… Bryant focuses his poems on themes of suffering, death, and alienation.” – Debbie Noland, from the foreword

Haiku #5 in the book In The Dead of Night:

In the dead of night / when our bodies collide / I’m dying inside

Buy your copy of In the Dead of Night here!)

Book 2: You Dark Up My Life (Kindle edition May 2022)

“To read and experience James Bryant’s Dark Haiku is to sink like a willing stone into the artistic and macabre world of a poet who tantalizes with sharp surprise.” – Cindy Bosley, from the foreword

Haiku #3 in the book You Dark Up My Life:

You dark up my life / give me hope, take it away / and leave me to die

Buy your copy of You Dark Up My Life Here!

Book 3: Suffer For Supper (Kindle edition December 2022)

“James Bryant confronts darkness to increase our appreciation for light, bringing us to the very core of that darkness to remind us that we are not alone in facing it.” – Tony Shaffer, from the foreword

Haiku #8 in the book Suffer For Supper:

Starving for the pain / hungry for the hurt, I need / suffer for supper

Buy your copy of Suffer For Supper here!

Book 4: In a World of Hurt (Kindle edition May 2023)

“Each word in Bryant’s haiku is meticulously chosen and placed to provide the most vivid imagery, the most morbid wordplay, and the hardest-hitting tragedy imaginable.” – Faryl, from the foreword

Haiku #16 in the book In a World of Hurt:

In a world of hurt / I can’t carry on anymore / it’s just too painful

Buy your copy of In a World of Hurt here!

Dark Haikus Complete (Hardcover edition May 17, 2024)

For the first time, the complete Dark Haiku of James Bryant have been collected in one hardcover edition! Previously ebook exclusive, these haunting volumes have finally been published in print!

This hardcover collectors edition includes all 4 volumes, including In The Dead of Night, You Dark Up My Life, Suffer for Supper, and In a World of Hurt, as well as an additional fifth volume, A Crushing Defeat, found nowhere else!

Haiku #14 in the book A Crushing Defeat:

A crushing defeat / my heart like bittersweet grapes / dying on the vine

Buy your copy of Dark Haikus Complete (hardcover edition) here!

A big thank you to Project 89 Media for believing in my work and giving me this opportunity. I’m also incredibly grateful for the expert guidance you provided, which made the entire publication process seamless.

Learn more about the publisher Project 89 Media

Craig Firsdon, a heartfelt thank you for the fantastic artwork! Your illustrations were exactly what my dark haiku needed. It was a pleasure to work with you, and your talent made a huge impact on the final result.

Learn more about the artist, Craig Firsdon

Other Notable Publications

In October of 2020, four of Mr. Bryan’ts Dark Haiku: On All Hallow’s Eve, Creaking Door Opens, Dark and Stormy Night and Whispers Like a Moan, were published by Gnashing Teeth Publishing.

This independent publisher was looking for spooky and haunted haiku. But to make it more challenging, they wanted it in audio format.

Haiku were written, read and performed by James Bryant

Music and sound effects are royalty free, and were curated, mixed and mastered inside O I C Studios.

On All Hallow’s Eve:

On all hallow’s eve / when witches brew and cats mew / they trick and they treat

Click here to listen to On All Hallow’s Eve on the Gnashing Teeth Publishing website

Creaking Door Opens:

Creaking door opens / letting in the rot and stench / of those dead bodies

Click here to listen to Creaking Door Opens on the Gnashing Teeth Publishing website

Dark and Stormy Night:

Dark and stormy night / howling among the tombstones / digging up my bones

Click here to listen to Dark and Stormy Night on the Gnashing Teeth Publishing website