Hidden Haiku

Haikus are an ancient form of Japanese poetry that have recently become popular in English. By analysing the articles the Financial Times publishes every day with a computer programme, we have unearthed some accidental but powerful haikus.

The poems follow the form and style of a traditional Japanese haiku — typically a three-line observation about a fleeting moment involving nature with 17 syllables arranged in a 5–7–5 pattern.

There are a surprising number of these poetic forms buried inside the hundreds of articles the FT publishes every day, from stories as diverse as the columns of Martin Wolf to the impeachment of Dilma Rousseff.

Over the coming weeks we will share these haikus on FT.com and social media. We will also be encouraging readers to share their feedback.

Income lie withered Climate change and mismanagement hit crops in Maharashtra state. By Simon Mundy.

income lie withered
and prone across his rocky
field fit for nothing

Brazil’s new president will have a chance to steady the ship Michel Temer’s first task is to win over investor confidence and stabilise the economy. By John Paul Rathbone.

has fractured Congress
into myriad whirlpools
of seething factions

Glanbia CEO Siobhán Talbot is Ireland’s most senior businesswoman The one-time dairy co-op now a global food business selling protein products to bodybuilders. By Vincent Boland.

As she speaks the sun
breaks through the rain darkened sky
illuminating

Taxman targets salaries worth weight in gold
Stop paying people in bullion as dodge, warns HMRC. By Vanessa Houlder and Naomi Rovnick.

people being paid
in hay, Turkish lira, wine
carpets, and platinum

Are these the world’s worst cities? From Cancún and Macau to Dubai and Leeds, David Tang takes a tour of the most charmless urban centres he has encountered. By David Tang.

looks fabulous then
as you descend you notice
ominous masses

For more FT haiku go to ft.com/hiddenhaiku