(a clutch of Haiku)
I saw a flower Break beneath a waxing moon It was her first time * I misunderstood And find I should have cared more I breakfast alone * The sheets do belong To the one who deserves them She recalls my name * In a certain light I am considered handsome We make love at night * Through a web of joy We dance the tarantella two crazy lovers
Sometimes I’m like that cat Alone in the box. Am I alive Or am I dead. Waiting for somebody, anybody To open the box, To interact And look inside. What if I’m dead? That wouldn’t be the best. Or would it? No more mystery And I’d be out of the box. Somebody would know. Therefore my existence, Even in death, Would be validated. What if they look inside And I’m alive? That would be good - Wouldn’t it? I’d be able to talk to someone. I’d be out of the box. It would be nice - As long as I had the choice To get back in the box Whenever I needed to.
As politicians moisten their lips And prepare periodic messages To chasten questioners. Their febrile speeches leave wanting Those with open eyes. And merely catapult words not actions Into gaping political holes. Tearing sanguine thoughts From confused minds. Leaving strong perceptions flaccid And hearts to hang pendulous - Broken and deceived. When all that is required From these pouting lips Is some truth to hold on to In these times of strife.
Harsh realities crash in
And like bitter memories do
They change us
Maybe even remove
Any sense of sensibility
And we find ourselves
In empty shopping malls
Searching for toilet paper
And pasta that isn’t wholegrain.
Panicked and broken
We return to our homes
Switch on the radio or tv
And listen to the latest news –
How many have succumbed
How many new cases
When will toilet paper
Be back on the shelves.
Maybe some of us
Reread Tolkien’s
Lord of the Rings
Or all of our Harry Potter novels
While we snack on chocolate
Left over from Christmas
And drink tea
Flavoured with honey
And play board games
And wonder if things
Will ever be the same.
Across a Surreal landscape
White defeats the green
Black naked branches
Reach towards low slung clouds
As snow flurries lash
Exposed skin on cheerful faces
We shelter in each other’s warmth
And conversations of sunshine
Promoted by
Wine, good gin and pizza.
I cast my mind about Searching for just one Peaceful memory One image to still A consciousness in turmoil. Befuddled thoughts of anger arise Failed friendships revived Lost loves sought Missed opportunities revisited All conspire to withhold rest. Like a fish bone Stuck in my throat At Friday night dinner I am unable to swallow. To clear the way I twist sheets And toss my pillow. Finally darkness takes me Into troubled sleep Only to be disturbed moments later By a relentless alarm
Bury me softly In words of love Sweet caresses And butterfly kisses Hold me gently In arms as tender As angels wings And soft summer breezes See me openly With your eyes so deep Look into the very depths Of my aching soul Remember me In carefree dreams And quiet coffee breaks In seaside cafes Bury me in memories Away from the ravages Of the thief We know as time
