Seen through a flurry of dust

Haiku 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 haiku.

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.

A surprising number of these poetic forms are 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 and news and reaction to the UK’s vote to leave the EU.

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

Madama Butterfly, La Scala, Milan — review. By James Imam

pastel kimonos
quivering cherry blossom
and sliding panels

Australia’s Impressionists at the National Gallery, London. By Jackie Wullschlager

the lunging stockman
seen through a flurry of dust
trying to control

Britain still has a lot more homework to do. By FT View

It is surprising
that this common sense notion
needs reinforcement

For more FT haiku go to www.ft.com/hidden-haiku