Poems by Iris Elizabeth Sankey

Belize haiku

City’s Canal Catfi shes, Clean slop buckets.

Fishes jumping for joy With calmness of sea.

Worm infested Ripe guavas Dangle from tree. Phallic fl owers Always sold out.

Blue virgin skies Azure blue Sea Blue me.

Black snake Dangling from tree Over my head. Iris Elizabeth Sankey Iris Elizab h Sankey

Solutions

Inspired by Ms. Jacqueline Kingston (97th Street Ryan Center)

Solutions without complications we ask: Not aggravation Condemnation Interrogation.

Soothe from us the truth of situations causing: Humiliation Self-destruction Suicidal notions.

Help save us to: New realization Transformation Freedom from dissolution.

For we are students and teachers sometimes: Stumbling Fumbling Assuming. Let us suppose ourselves in each other’s shoes: Trying Hurting Persevering.

For we know not of circumstances: Delaying Changing Suffocating.

Solutions without further problems we ask, Cause we’re sick and tired of: Accusation Pseudo-pretense Crucifi xion.

For all have sinned and come short of the glory Of our Creator, In whom we yet will call upon for: Rejuvenation Solutions Salvation…. Iris Elizabeth Sankey

30 haiku

Silence— A gem, a tool, Advantage, disadvantage,

The power of love— Adding, subtracting, clinging; Still I choose.

Today I forgave… So that nothing’s left to give That wasn’t given.

Before five a.m. Aloneness in prayers melts Meshing me universally.

Yesterday’s mania Took control and— Crashed my computer.

My cat drinking rain Falling From my eyes.

…my cat walking me To supermarket and back Then jetting his way.

My boy all blond Surrounded by black girlfriends Meowing at once.

One is truly free Only as a babe, and after death And then beyond

I am a student I am a teacher teaching I am my own end. In two thousand six Black rookie kicked to death by U.S. Militia.

Strait of Broadway Parts of it colored Black and White: Nannies and babies.

Corner ninety-eight Broadway swarms with ten white cops, Stun guns, and nude brother…

1626 First 11 slaves were brought Into U.S. jail…

Black ants in long line Getting stepped on at church’s Soup kitchen.

Oh painful shingles You’re asking my every nerve To surely kill you.

Silent noise screaming Within bottle of my body Showing off shingles.

On a grassy mound Overlooking New Jersey A sandy anthill.

Mounting subway stairs Pigeon pooped atop my head And flew away fast.

The number 2 train Came crowded and on fire— And continued on. Butterfly chose me Fingers cocked for the shoot Of its stark beauty.

Butterflies by night Create social gathering Skating and sliding.

Fly kept teasing me While I recited my poems About flying things.

Angelina Jolie Paid lip service to Judges Letting her go free.

Who stole my picture Of boa constrictor and me Posing in the nude?

I get money It gets me back As swift as I spend.

Blood red ripe tomatoes In a dream With dead Granny.

In E.R. I’m oxygenized to life.

My Haiku— We both agree less is more Pronounced quality.

Saucy Haiku As sweet as sugar cane Standing erect. Iris Elizabeth Sankey