Haikus for Hope
A poetic response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza
Haikus for Hope is a poetic intervention set up by writer and facilitator Fiona Moon, in response to the horrors of the current war and loss of life in Gaza. The idea of Haikus for Hope came from the John Masefield Lecture, given by award winning poet and scholar Jason Allen – Paisant at StAnza Poetry Festival in St. Andrews, Scotland in March 2024.
Jason spoke with an unwavering conviction about the level of violence and violation of human and non-human rights and spirits, and of how we can use poetry as a fundemental tool for social and political change. It was a galvanising reaffirmation that the arts, and in particular poetry, has the power to be more than the sum of its’ parts on a page or stage. In fact, and particularly in times of despair, it is not enough for a poem to be simply beautiful or cleverly crafted, it must, if its to do anything at all, be a tool with which we can glimpse an element of our shared humanity, pull us from the horrors of our outer worlds, even for a brief moment, to touch something deeper within us; something whole, pure and untarnished by the swell and terror of what’s happening around us. Through poetry, and the collective efforts and energies of the people that make and appreciate it in all its forms, we can give hope, and hope is something everybody deserves.The lecture itself focussed on on the haiku, and there the idea for Haikus for Hope was born.
The premise is a simple one. We are asking people (poets, artists, vets, teachers, taxi drivers, schoolchilren, anybody!) to pen a ‘hopeful haiku,’ which can then be passed on to another for a nominal donation of £2. Whilst the death toll in any crisis is a difficult and complex mathematical equation, it is currently estimated to stand at over 31,000*, our aim is to raise £1 for every life lost. Please see below for how you can get involved.
What Can I Do?
1. You can write a haiku and send it to us
Anybody is welcome to do this, you don’t need to be a writer, and you can donate as many as you like. To donate a haiku, simply email haikusforhope@gmail.com
2. You can donate to receive a haiku via the JustGiving page below
Donate £2 (or any amount you wish) via the Just Giving page below, and you will be emailed a ‘Haiku for Hope’ as a thank you for your contribution. All contributions will go to The Red Cross – Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territory Appeal. Please ensure you tick the ‘Happy to share my details’ box in order to receive your haiku.
3. You can help spread the word
You can help spread the word through social media, your website and mailing lists, or word of mouth, using the hashtag #haikusforhope
PLEASE ENSURE YOU TICK ‘SHARE MY CONTACT DETAILS’ WHEN MAKING YOUR DONATION – OTHERWISE YOU WON’T RECEIVE YOUR HAIKU!
Haikus are sent out manually – please allow up to 48 hours to receive.
With thanks to…
Jaison Allen – Paisant, StAnza Poetry Festival, Jonathan Ross, Ruth Platt, Jake Hopking, Catherine Sefton, Chaitali Cox-Desai, Butchers Dog Poetry, Sally Ann Lowe, Sarah Marie Mooney, Fine Meyer, Kirsty Gadd, Charlotte Keynes, Ana Peralta
The original John Masefield Lecture can be watched via the StAnza website
* Estimated figure as of 22nd March 2024 as reported by The Red Cross
Haikus for Hope 