John Richard Parsons (born 7 May 1941) is an English writer and artist, noted for his prize-winning haiku poetry.

His art and sculpture are both figurative and abstract, and draw on many sources of inspiration, particularly prehistoric, Indian and tribal traditions.

He is an internationally recognised writer of haiku and haibun in English, and has won prizes, awards and commendations at many competitions, including first prizes at the Kikakuza Haibun Contest (2009); Klostar Ivanic Festival (2012), the Yamadera Basho Memorial Museum (2012), the Kumamoto City Festival (2012).

His work has widely appeared in anthologies, including 'Blithe Spirit', the quarterly journal of the British Haiku Society.

[7] Parsons contributed lyrics to the rock band Fabulous Poodles (1975–1980), including "Mirror Star", "Chicago Boxcar", "Bionic Man", "Toytown People", "Tit Photographer's Blues", "B Movies", "Workshy" and "Cherchez La Femme".

After visiting the megalithic temples of Malta in the 1980s, he began carving statues and figurines which drew their inspiration from Neolithic Mediterranean culture.