Discoveries

By Mike Nierste

Copyright©2020byMichaelNierste

All rights reserved. No part of this book shall be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means:electronic, mechanical, magnetic, photographic, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, or otherwise be copiedforpublicorprivateusewithoutpriorwrittenpermission.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales, or any person,livingordead,isentirelycoincidental.

Thanks

There are so manyto thank. These poemswere writtenfrom2012 to 2019. The foundations that are at the roots of this writing reaches back to many and naming allwould be make a very long list that could never be complete. Thanks go to parents, friends, family, schoolteachers, fellow students, poets who have provided inspiration, feedback, and some who have encouraged me by the simple act of listening. Special thanks to Mary Redman, Mac Greene, Kyle Craig, Damien Howell, Noel Bewley, Joyce Brinkman,JLKatoandthemanypoetsfromBrickStreetPoetry.

Introduction

AdiscussionaboutJapanese forms

Haiku - Haikuis,asJaneReichholdstatesin Writing and Enjoying Haiku A Hands on Guide, poetryspokenallinonebreath.She alsocoacheswriterstouseacuttingwordtoseparatealonger phrasefromashorterfragmentportion. Shesuggeststhepoems shouldbereverent,haveasinceofsimplicityandtostayinthe hereandnow.ThesearerulesthatIsometimesfollow,butwhileI frequentlycomplywithsomeoftheserulessuchaskeepingwith thesubjectofnatureforthehaiku,orspokeninonebreathfor haikuandsenryu,youwillfindthatIsometimesbreakalmostallof therulese.g.usingthreelines,17syllables,thecuttingpoint,or juxtapositionofelements.

Traditionalhaikuoftenconsistof17 morae oftenlooselybut incorrectlytranslatedassyllablesinthreephrasesof5,7,and5 moraerespectively.Theyalsousea kigo,otherwiseknownasa seasonalreference.Modernformsareincreasinglyvaryingfrom thetraditionof17 morae aswellasvaryingfromusingnatureas theonlysubject. Haikucontaincuttingimagesorideaswitha kireji or cuttingword betweenservingasakindofpunctuationmarkwhichsignalsthe separationofelements.

“Imagesaretypicallydirectlyobservedeverydayobjectsor occurrences…InJapanese,haikuaretraditionallyprintedinasingle verticallinewhilehaikuinEnglishoftenappearinthreelines paralleltothethreephrasesofJapanesehaiku.“(From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haiku)

Usuallythereisnocapitalizationofanyofthelines.Ihaveadopted thatrulewithoutexceptionherebuttherearenotableexceptionsby Americanauthors. Forinstance,inRichardWright’scollection Haiku This Other World,hecapitalizedthebeginningofeachline andonlyuseda5 7 5syllableformatforallofhishaiku.Ipoint

outtheserulesandexceptionstodispelthenotionthatthereisonly onefixedsetofrules.Therearemanypreformedexpectationsand therearemanyotherguidelinesnotlistedinthisintroduction. Theseandtheotherformslistedbelowarealmostalwaysa capturedobservationoranexperience,butiftherewasawayto characterizetheminaword,theyare Discoveries.

Senryu –Ishaikuwiththefocusmoreonhumannatureand usuallythoughnotalwayshumorous.Theyaretypicallysatirical. SenryuaremixedintosectionswithhaikuandTanka

Tanka –Thisisafivelineform.Traditionallyuses5-7- 5- 7-7 morae (syllable)formatbuttheexceptionsnotedbeforesuchas abandoningthissyllablecountformodernHaikuarenowwidely adopted.Usuallythesetankawillhaveaslightchangeoftone betweenthefirstthreelinescomparedtothelasttwotypically longerlines.Theyareinterspersedwithhaiku,haigaandsenryu throughoutthiscollection.

Haiga AstyleofJapanesepaintingthatincorporatesthedrawing andpaintingwithHaiku.FrequentlyinmodernAmericanforms theyareassociatedwithaphotograph.Theseareinterspersed throughoutwithHaiku,TankaandSenryu.Ijustliketoseea pictureeveryonceinawhile.

Haibun –Usuallyoneortwoproseparagraphswritteninaconcise style,andoneormorehaikuortankaassociatedwiththetopicthat bringaslightvariationtothetheme.

Anote aboutthe Iterations section

Thissectionshowsvariationsonatheme.Whatwerefrequently nearlythesamepoemaredisplayedtogetherwithsmallchangesso

youmightconsiderthemdifferentversionsofthesamehaiku, haigaortankapoems.Someofthevariationsshowhowanidea changestonewpoemswithasimilartheme.Theyareinsertedinto thissectiontoshowtheprocessofchange.Theyarealsoherein partbecauseIcan’tletgoofsomeoftheversionsthatweregoing tobeeditedoutasduplicatesorlesserversions.Inotherwords, mostlytheyareinherebecausetheyexpresssomevariationsthatI didnotwanttolose.Ihavenotseenthesevariationsshownor changesdisplayedinothercollections. Ioftenthinkthereare manyworthyselectionsthatendinascrapheapneverseeinglight ofdayandIwonderwhatismissedbecauseofit.Isimplywanted toshowsomeoftheothersandalsotoshowhowtheysometimes change.

Titles,Sections (andComments)

Whiletherearenochaptersinthisbook,somehavebeengrouped insectionswithtitlestosetthemood,identifyasubjectorplace, frameorotherwisegroupthem.Commentsembeddedservethe samepurposeandareusuallyinparenthesis.Haikuarenon-titled workandItriedtostaywithintheconfinesofthatrulebynot titlingthem,butyouwillseetherearesomefairlysmallsections andsomeidentifiedonlyonehaikusotheycomeclosetotitlingthe works.Somesectionsareverylongandmightbeconsidered chapters.

Inkeepingwiththeseasonalreference(kigo)ofJapaneseforms,I eliminatedreferencestomonthsanddividedthelongersections intoseasonswiththeexceptionswhereIcomposedagroupof Haikucalled“AYear”sothatthereweretwohaikurepresentedfor eachmonth.Ikeptsomeapartsuchasinthefirstsectioncalled FourSeasonswhichwasanearlysetofhaiku.

FourSeasons

Spring maplebrancheslaunch minigreenhelicopters leavesrepeatinfall

whirlingdervishes spinningpirouettesinblack pulverizegreenlands

dressedingreenandblack howlingwindsterrorizeus bounceandtearterra

Thor’shammerhurlssounds showersdrenchandpulverize valley’sbasinsfill

brightboltsoflightdrive stentoriansounds echoesreflectthepower raindrenchesparchedearth gentlycoaxeswhiteflowers fromcoollowlandplain

Summer sweetbigblackdogbakes soaksinfullsun,shareshiswarmth nuzzle,soothe,andcalm parchedpeelingbark rootsreachdowntotapwetground sipsdampquenchingbalm

skyscrapingsentries observethegenerations understarrynights shimmeringlightsshine againstthecosmicdarkness puzzledeyesgazeup spadedgardenplots’ darkmoistearthinafternoon sunlightenstotan widebrimmedhatgivesshade convenientstrawparasol forlongsunnywalks

Fall reachingskywardlong beautifularchingbranches opentowarmsun scrapingsteelacross streakedgreyroughwetstonesharpens smoothsteelknifebladeedge

fearlessflyerscharge intouncle’swaitingarms warmlywrappedinlaps

kneesandarmsawait chargingchildrenjumpformore buckingbroncorides

echoedsongsofyouth stillresoundineldersears althoughquietly grandpasoftlyspeaks sharingstoriesofmischief bringsbackbrighttwinkle

Winter yearsofwearhidden bywhitecapsoverhilltops bitingcoldwindblows

winterwhitecapsblown exposeweatheredwornboulders nosignoflifeseen hardfeaturesexposed whenwinter’sgustuncover barrenfrozenground windsweptsnowdriftsshift starkmountainfeaturesexposed strippedtobarecoldstone

vastblackdottedsky streakedbydisintegrating Haley’scometblaze darknesssurroundsus nightlacksstarlight,daysaregrey noglimmeroflight

FiveSenses

Smell lavenderpetals driedandstoredinsilksachets sweetaromassaved fragrancescutfresh lavenderpressedagain releasedmemories Taste sweetberriespromise sweeterjelliestobestored sealedinblueBalljars

saucysugary tasteswillsomedaytantalize wetwelcomingtongues See brightlightsnowseemdim reminiscenceshappier thanthosesunlitfields

shadowylandscape’s assessmentiscompromised inmemoriestoo

Touch

feeblefingersstroke softflesheasilycreases saggingyieldingskin dimplesmagically appearwhencheeksarestroked orkindwordsspoken

Listen highfrequenciesfade butsoftspokenwordsstillland onagingeardrums vibrationsrumble faintlyheardbutkindactions recalledspeakloudly

Birds soundofsenselessclock coocooisdrivingmenuts coocoo,coocoo…..crunch whip,whip,whip,poorwill longchantsbeckon,restating whippoorwill’sreprise rememberdistant bobwhitecalls,cryingoutits extendedrequest effervescentbuzz wingeddarterzipsinforsips brightbursthumsaway iridescentblue gracefulexterminator swallowscleansetheskies geesecomesplashingdown fromflyingvformation foreveningrepose

finchespining hungryacrobatsinsnow conefeast bluebirds’arrival onbackporchfeederbrightens awinterwindow

Aging

whenIclosemyeyes ahappychildhoodmoment comesintofocus historycarveslines increasedfacesitdesigns somedeepandsomefine sparklingpoolsofbrown peekingthroughlonggreyeyebrows stillmischievous whitecrownsoftlyflows tussledbybreezescoming fromalldirections greatwindhasblowndown hisoldcompanions,alone hestirsamongthem driventobrightlight innocenceendssoquickly findinghotfire keylesslocklatched foundindustycigarbox itwillnotopen

Days Sunday peacefulassembly theinevitableend anticipated confessionsaretold duringsmallconvocations ofoversizedcults Monday backtothegrinder, drinkingcoffee,eyesopen drivingdowntheroad blackmudsplashingback onbumpywellwornroadways wheelsturntowardwork Tuesday geareduptospin ridingthewindowswindmill stationerybike

workdaybehindme relaxingbikeridetonight steadyheartraterise

Wednesday dinnerwithgoodfriends startswithmoodalteringfine oldvineZinfandel

laughterfillstheroom whenfriendswhostayedtheevening twistanothertale Thursday yogaclassstretching strengtheningserenity reprieveduringlunch sunsalutation energizingextensions savasanaend Friday libertyatfive weekendholidaybegins sometimeformyself recallingtimeswe playedwithinnocenceoncreek bankslinedbywillows Saturday alarmclockisoff awakenedbymorninglight arisingrefreshed snuggleunderwarm blankets embryonictill temptedbybacon

WestCoastVacation

MountRainier,WA whitecappedmountainpeek viewedfromParadiseMeadow’s colorsprinkledpasture

MountSaintHelens,WA thirtyyearsafter volcanoesfierywrath treeslaylikematchsticks

pumicepummeledearth yieldsnewgrowthtoyoungseedlings onstonegreyparchment

ColumbiaRiverGorge,HoodRiver,OR linesofpinesprotect orchardsandarborsfromcold inrivervalley blackandwhitemerging cloudsblanketfertilehillsides asdarknesssettles civilization’s glimmersofmanmadelightsfade starlightshinesthroughnow bedandbreakfast inquietrivervalley sunsetviewandsleep

longstraightrowsofvines curvealongmajestichills baskinginwarmsunrise

redbloomsbeckoning hummingbird’spollination inshimmeringlight

DominioIV(Vineyard) redTempranillo whitegoldenViognier magentaSyrah

Reedsport,OR(UmpquaRiverandPacificOcean) driftwoodskeletons litterlongshoreline’srugged blacksandybeaches superstitionsshed hardfactsemergethroughdawnslight newbeliefsappear CoosBay,OR fishermanwatchlines quietlywaitingforsigns strikingsuddenly

AnchorBay,CA WhaleWatchHotel slowlyemerging oldfadedmemoriesstir pastvisitations

fireandwater soothingsightsbringcalmingsounds risingfromthesource

WhaleWatchHotel greyweatheredlumber handrailsanchorlongsteepsteps windingupgreycliff oceanwavesrollin onemoregrainofsandisborn oldcliff’sfacechanges greymistycover burningoffinmorningsun revealsaclearblue dawnslightcomesslowly shadesofgreytakebrighterhues werethecolorsthere? indigo,sapphire, ultramarine,teal,azure, aquamarine,blue blueoceanviewis dottedwithwhitecloudsandwaves risingandfalling diversinwetsuits boatouttodeeperwaters seethroughclearcleanseas

betweenearthandsky breakerscrestandfall,rising onagentlebreeze

whitecapwavesrollin soothingsettlingroarsresound mellowingmantra longsmoothhorizon lineisactuallyrough undulatingpeaks

unendingrolling, oceanwavescrashinalways differentyetthesame insideyouIcan feelthehealingtidesswelling powerfulmassage

|GualalaCountyBeachPark baskinginwarmsun beatpeacewiththismoment sittingquietly

OntheRoadtoSanFrancisco brownwindsweptgrasses waveandnodtotheeons thatshapedrollinghills

GoingHome drivingaloneI

travelthroughmilesofsilence comingbacktoyou

rejoicinginreturn sogoodtobehomeandsafe sacredhallowedground

AYear (duetsarrangedbymonth)

January pinoakleavesclingfast branchesbendpayinghomage tocoldwinterwind coatshanginhallways snowbootsdripasicythawstarts hotchocolatetime

February trudgingthroughdeepsnow towarmbarnswithbubblingsweets maplesyrupcamp stacksoffirewood warmingforthesecondtime arethrownonredcoals

March purpleCrocusblooms emergethroughsnowyblankets heraldingnewwarmth strongwindatmyback spooloflinewhirringquickly goodkiteflyingday

April soundsofspringconcert announcedbyNarcissusbloom's silenttrumpetcall tulip’smorningdew restsamomentonedgethen dripsinroundredcup

May mynoseleadsmyeyes toLilyoftheValley atshadedwoodsedge lyingincoolgrass gazingatwhitecloudsIsee familiarfigures June upbeforesunrise tocelebratelongsolstice tillsunsetsagain wigglingmytoes onabarefootafternoon intallwetgreengrass

July ridingbicycles windflowingoverlonglocks feelingthefreedom

slimsliverofmoon shinessilverthroughdarknighttime peekingthroughawink

August lightningstrikespourout fromangryblackcloudsandcrack brightwhitedeadlyblows magnificentbolts whitendarkskiesblackcovers charit’searthlypath

September onaquietwalk

Ipausetoreflectwhat’sheard whennoone’sspeaking

apples,pears,peaches sweetcorn,tomatoes,peppers, harvestedbounty October fieldsofsoybeans withbrownstalksturning,turning forcombinescoming goldandredmaple announcefallsgloriousend topastgreenseason

November

northwindblowsandcuts leavesfromnearlybarrenlimbs shiverthetimbers fragilestalactites hangfromoverfilledgutters dripinmiddaysun

December

festivelightsbrighten longnightsofwinter’ssolstice aglimmerofhope bowedinreverence treetopsacknowledgethesouth thenstraightenagain

ThePond gracefularccurlsback silentcastextendsfeathered luretowater’ssurface tugsontaughtlinessend signalsofcapturebelow splashingachievement sittingbesidestill cleardeepreflectingwater athoughtemerges singlepebbleplunks createssmallripples,disturbs cleartranquility ominousswimmer stealthfullytakingyounglives sothatitmaylive ourLochnessmonster isjustalittlemuskrat goingforadip

Love

songbirdslandsoftly onbackporchperch–singingout mysweetloveforyou

Iloveyoumorethan yesterday- that'swhyIknow nowIloveyoumore wholeheartsexpanding takingcareofeachother sharingalifetime wordscannotexpress

Sycamore

seedpodlands lodgingoncreekbank’s richsustainingbreast seedlingsycamore temptedbylight,armsstretched overrivulets bowingtothestream youngsproutsbudandreach tonourishingsun saplinglegsanchored boughsbendgracefullyabove aflowingbrookbed tree’storsotwists seekingsunlightaswater churnsaroundcreek’scrook

crowntipstowerout angleskywardreachandpeek findingwaterroiling tulipflowersfall floatingbudsparadedownstream slippingpastwidebends curvedpetalspontoon sanguineorangeveinedscoutsvanish downtheartery

sawtimberreclines necksstretchtoview asharpdogleg leaningbranchescreak anagedtollarmwaveson zigzaggedcrescentcrook freshetsrushingswell rinsesmudfromdirtyfeet shallowrootsloosen rippedsnagfallssplashing limbsdriftintributary uprootedandsoaked extremeties leaveswashedaway allfloatingfree coldrillreceding plantsadecomposingtrunk trappedonscouredshore chestpinned,lifeforcelost logrotsinrindle’selbow formingmotherearth lodgedandwaterlogged bodytransformedtocreekbank’s richsustainingbreast

HaikuTrios

Endofyear

snow,ice,brightstarlights longblacknights bringfrostingwhites fortydarkestdays balldropsinTimesSquare finalcalendarpageturns anewyearsbabeout newpillowcases prosperityallyearlong resteasytonight

StealthfulStalker silentmorningwalk foxboltsfrombeneathmyfeet predatorthoughtprey motionlessstalker adrenalinpoweredflash fleetingpastthepond ephemeralrole reversalrestoredhunting safetyoftheden

Lightning rumblefromblacksky nearinginkblotoverhead drawsanupwardglance whiteboltsecretstrikes Rorschachlockedskyburstsopen rupturingdarkness skysceneshowdrenches frenziedflagsunfurlfromsky victoryproclaimed Smoke wetwoodonhotcoals phoenixofinspiration metamorphosis

smokerises,shifting orangeglowtransformedtogases tillhiddenbyair imagination risestoonethousandforms illuminated

ChurchExperiences (Tanka Trios) St. Meinrad pipe organsilenced abbeydoors openingwide Benedictine's march monks headdownwornsandstone stairs tofamiliar groundbelow Gregorianchant hoodedrobes incandlelight tryingtodivine mysteries of life anddeath marchingtocemetery longrows of brothers chanting names of those dearly departedbefore AllSouls Dayremembrance pipe organbillowingback Churches HolyRosary churchbells ringinglong notes that were never written but inspire still

St. Michaels kneelinginthe church eyes squinting,churches light beams seemtostreamtome sighs breakthe silence unspokenwords saysomuch sirenstillness cries

Seasons

Winter onemoreyeararrives datedtwothousandsixteen billion promisesofspring announcedbyforcedNarcissus’ miniatureblooms ourclosestneighbor twentysixtrillionmilesout AlphaCentauri MilkyWaygalaxy eighthundredseventyquadrillionmiles wide

Bluebirdsnestingbox filledwithstolenwintersstraw coldrosesexposed earthboundwalkersface fortymileperhourgusts turnstostonecoldslap invisiblewind wavesriseandreflectonpond disappearatdawn

sweetscentsfillgardens insidevasesarebrimming colorsflowthenfall umberleaves amberbranches embersinfallfire nature nurture notsurewhocareswhy

MoonlightSonata sigh,closingeyes,slowingheartbeat breathingmelody

(TropicalVacationinWinter)

secondredsunset seenfromseventhousandfeet atsixthirtyfive risingaltitude fallinglatitude risingattitude hungryontheplane strongsmellofpeanutbutter drivingmenuts

seasonsswitchedinhours traveling1000miles winternowsummer

eyeslooktoshore tailflaps,finflickers fishdisappears anewhorizon lookingatinfiniteline noendinsight

aweigh awayintothebuffet aweighin

Jamaicanchicken wandersthroughcarsandparking lotofKFC BlueRiverFalls indeeppoolsreflecting clearJamaicansky

yellowstripeforsun blackrepresentsherpeople greenisthejungle

hecan’tbelievewe paidtwentydollarstogo toHellBahamasthattwentywasn’ttogo itwastobringusallback

twobytwotheyfly bottlenose,dorsalfin,tail tenfeetintosky

takeanotherbreath divedeep,emerge,andplayon dolphinsymphony

callingforMarco inacrowd,firstone,thenmany shoutback - Polo

strutin’myswimsuit onehotbeach,someonewhistled meanlifeguard

elevenfootwaves makeJellojiggleonship touristsarematching palmbranchesswaying coconutsfalling whenI’mnotlooking

pelicansandgulls circlingoverheadandone vulturestaringdown

abeachedwhitewhale onwhitesandbakingtilldone–Ishouldmove lonelytouristwaitwhydidtheypickMIA shuttleservices? strongDenverdefense helpswinSuperfinale Peyton’sfittingplace

Pinecrestlodgeneon lightsignneedstofixletters forP,e,andr bonsaitreegrowing nearly200years togrowthissmall docksidecompanion gracefuldolphinarcingpast stirsanddigsforfood

emerge,arcingup, blowingout,breathingin divingdown,again hammockswingingfree reallybaitforamantrap thatwillnotletgo

seaanemone livingsymbiotically protectingbigshrimp campertoocramped?

there’snoproblemwithheadroom goinginoutdoors thumbtosky closeoneeye moongoesbye lookingatnostars brilliantlightcan’tpenetrate blackestcloudfillednight returningtoearth skyviewofworldexposes snowshroudedblackearth

minutesbecomehours daysturntomonths,thenseasons andtimeslipsaway returningIsee windsweptparkprairiebecome wavesofgrassland invisiblewind whipssiennawavesacross oceansofgrasslands

Spring circlingoverhead sandhillcrane’sformationschange arrowheadfliesnorth

firstappleblossom protectedfromicyfrost a snowyblanket appleblossomsdance whiteflowersleavingsweetlife circlingtoearth hornetstastingbuds beesonblackraspberryblooms reapingmorethansown

hornetsandbees tasteblackraspberryblooms stingerneedlessow

amurderofcrows crossesinfrontyards KKK account tulip’smorningdew restsamomentonedgethen dripsinroundredcup

cherryblossomsdance fallingfrombranchessaygoodbye circlesoflife muddygardenboots plantingsmallpuddlesinside eyesgrowinglarger lawnmowergrazing dandelionpelletpuffs shootsseedlingfireworks growingbudsweare closertonarcissus foramoment weareechoes resoundinginthegarden

PinOakleavesshake afinalwinterblanketshow springbudsgrowing coaxonefinalpirouette dancingwithafallingleaf

gustingwindsentwine tetheredkitestrings tangledinblue weletlooseofties minimizingthedamage butwatchaslowfreefall candyscentsfillourgardens andinside,vases brimmingpinkandwhite

huggingthechildrentwice onceforme oncefortheirdad sunriselifts coverofnightsky hidinggalaxies morningstarlifting milkywaysaltandpepper shaker

wingedwarriorsemerge hungrymothersdevour anothermother evaporating trailscallearthboundobservers skyward

lookingforglasses foundinthelastplaceIlook infrontofmynose

lawnmowergrazing dandelionpelletpuffs shootsseedlingfireworks rototillertines diggingupcompostedlives returningtoearth nightcrawlerswriggle attractingattentionof bluegilltomyhook

flywringingit'shands preparedforlastmeal- pancakes beneathmyswattter heronsgracefulflight landsonlakesedgewithout asinglewingflap cottonwoodseeds spiralinguppastwindows gravitydefied peachblossomsscatter amongdewdropsandsunlight glisteningborders

appleblossomsdrop amongnewcloverflowers glisteningwhitedew

Daffodilpetals scatterondarkgreenclover distantpastelblend ducklingsailors staggeringinatnight restinflowerbeds

Goldenrodflower fieldsfilledwithgreenandyellow camouflageJohnDeere grandmother’sphlox amongthehoneysuckle onHeritageTrail wildiristongues stainedthecolorofsunset tastingpollen poppypoetry beautifulflower dullingeffect treebranchesshow signsoftheinvisible coolbreezeonmyface

firstRedwingofspring blackbirdsingsannouncingice finallymelting matingpairsreplace flyingvformations itinerarieshatch moonriseblushingred staringatsunsetbeauty themostsincereform

fireballfalling campfiremarshmallowmoon blushingatsunset fishinglures exploringwhatliesbeneath calledbackquietly RedBreastedRobbins Cardinals,andHouseFinchesfly Blueheron’skneebends shiftingthecolorpalette toBluebirdandTreeSwallow

gustingwindsentwine tetheredkitestringsflyinghigh blueskycrashforces lettingloosewhatwasheldfast freefallingdamagecontrol

engagedlastseason

PinOakleavesbindtobranches untilwinterwanes waitingforabudtostart dancingwithafallingleaf warmsouthwindwhispers hintsofnarcissus lipstouchthesky shadowsblowingpast redbudseedpodsquivering cloudsona branch

Summer wormsandwalkers coaxedoutaftertherainstorm strandedonsidewalks

jarlidstwistopen luminescentlightningbugs leavefluorescenttrails hawk'ssilentshadow seenbehindalowsunrise toolate aspark inthedark isnotenough

lightning bugsspark thedark brushstrokes flowers,birdsandbees coloralandscape (VariationofBasho’s famous frogpoem) oldswimminghole a boyjumpsin thesoundofwater sunset Itipmyhatagain nodandsit watercomesfromdeep artesianwellaquifers springingfromhardrock handkerchiefsoakedincoolspring wavingsurrenderinheat wristflipofpistolgrip triggersawaterhose rainbowspraydisplay carpenterbeedrills aperfectmagiccircle disappearsinside makinganentry carpenterbeesbuzzabout demolitioncrew

pickingseasonopens jellysteamcurtainrises closesanother naturalwonders belongtonoone beautyforusall (Indianastatehoodanniversary) twohundredyearspast statehoodbydeclaration webecomenineteen oldgrowthfelled fertileearthtilled silosfilled settlementsemerge bearingcropsfromfertiletill bendingnature’swill goodKarmarepaid beyondimagination solsticeapproaches gentlestreamflows notesfromthesaxophonefill thissummerevening butterflywingsfan adaylilyblossom swayinginthebreeze

Monarchbutterfly wingsforaTigerLily swayinginthebreeze liliesfillvases scentedpinkandwhite colorsflowthenfall acouplelovebirds changingtheirtune fightinglikebluejays fireworkspopping buttonsonlapelsofvets stillproudofserving relishingmoments whenwereachthespacebeneath andsilencesurrounds fireworkspostponed redwhiteandbluelightsandsounds wecounttheseconds

strikingmatches burnedskinandstrawberrymoon bonfiresunsetshow

bikingpastthepond

Redwingblackbirdsflyfromcattails summerbreezesblow mydogsarebarking releasedtoankledeepgrass reflexology babyoilsauté brownbarefeetonsandybeach landinwater dadandchildrenfly longshirttailstrailkitestrings clingingtothewind

rainbowformations fountaindancekaleidoscope outoftheclearblue glisteningbeauty LakeChamplainsurrounds anemeraldisland

(FromJuly17storyaboutDarrylPinkins freedinAprilafter DNAevidenceexoneratedhim InnocenceProject)

coldsteelprisonbars onlyachillcanpassthrough twenty-fiveyearsserved foracrimenotcommitted blindjusticeopenshereyes peninsulapoints toislandoasis restinginLakeChamplain theabsenceofwind doublingthepleasures stillviewedatthepond fortyoneyearold blackandwhitePolaroid memoriesfade

hallowedhollowednest silentpraisetomom’s nurturingnature squirrelsverticalleap hightailingitouttahere thenickoftime treeswallowshover glisteningbluewithinreach outoftheclearblue speakillofthedead pinwheelsspinathisgravesite commotionfromdeep cardiacarrest sittingindad’sfavoritechair smellingtobacco rainstormsemaphore palegreensideofmapleleaves turninginthewind waypastkneehigh anotheryearofplenty amazingyield hummingasong intheneighbor’syard distantlawnmowers

ridgeoftreesmarking wanderingcreekmaking horizonlines cloudymoonlessnight amemorycrossestheroad wavinggoodbye smellingofcarrots uprootedQueenAnne’slaceshows whitecrownsonorangeroots lookingupatclouds weflyup,lookin,thenstart lookingdownatclouds glazedwindowslocking gazesatachangingworld whileadooropens summervolleyball playnglikeakidagain digginginthesand (firstdayoftheStatefair) ferriswheellightsshine upanddownthemidway twosummer circles

thoughttobeastar wearenotdisappointing Romangodofwar timeunfolding aneveningstarrising onadarkhorizon eyesintherearview mirrorstaringbackatme fromthecarahead willowswhispering tenthousandleavesturnandtell secretsinthewind Icelandicshepherd WorldWrestlingEntertainment roughandtumblematch meteorstraces shootfromSagittarius thenfadeintoblack connectingthedots whitechalkmagicallyerased onablackboardsky reignofmeteorshowers ashortlivedspectacular hopingforabreeze Ifacenorthtocoolmybrow asouthwindwhipsback

fieldsofgoldengrain wrappedinhotblacktopribbons radiatingwaves duringsunnydays shimmeringheatwavesblister airwithoutrelief

soulmanwalkingdown singinginaminorkey addsrhythmtoblues

onstillsummernights invisibleheatwavessing fromblacktoproadways

unmatchedbeauty withonestrikebecomes afuneralpyre pullingweeds thesmellofmint onmyhands pursedlipspoised sherunsaway dandelionghosts

droppingtomyknees breathinginoverflowing waterfall

carpenterbeesswarm badmintonracketswatteam ondeckswingingback Fall twofingersposed atopthefretboard attherehearsal themusicbegins wewalkdowntheaisle

groomsmenandbridesmaids waitfortheirentrance aweddingbellchimes

windowblindsrattle openingtheinterior tounexpectedelements myheartinatrialfib beatstothesound mammalsplayinglate dinnerdrinksanddancing tillhoursturnsmall warningsprinkles inalightningflash atorrent

(Sept.11–Anniverseryof911) peelingonions aburnpatientcries washingaway onelayerthenanother andanotheranda (MywifegonetoColoradotoday) lookingatamap myfingertraces thewaytoyourface andbrushesthecreases innewplaces

(poetryreadingofYusefKomunyakaa) twohundredeyesclosed twohundredearsopen bassrhythmsstart hypnotizingacrowd enchantedbyaspell digginginthesand wearebroughttoourknees byavolleyball firstathunderclap thentorrentsallnight wishingforsilence

amajorseventh chordstrummedwithathumbout hitchingaride onapickup fromajazzguitar asoakedhandkerchief onablisteringday wavessurrender drivinganddrinking acouple getscarriedaway witharedlightescort sunflower headhangingdown heavywithseed kissingcousins

cookinginthekitchen telljuicystories sharpenedknives smearapronswithblood silentcommunion withtheinfinite riverfarbelow thinair abovethetreeline abreathtakingview

onautumn’sfirstwind thecaress ofthebird’swing

whitehydrangea remnants dryinginavase closetothespeaker feelingtherhythmandbeat inmychest impatient patient waits mypocketfull ofnothin’ lefttolose

summerblaze thetasteofocean onyourskin intheskiesorearthbelow nosuchthingasgoodandbad arcofthediver yellowleafturning backtoearth

yellowleaf turnsandfades toashenwhite

Anothersweetrose twenty-eighthanniversary weddingbouquet wetwoodonhotcoals orangeglowandsmokerise tillhiddenbyair Winter deathrattle driedseedpods shakeandcrack umberleaves amberbranches embersinfallfire (electionday) decomposition stenchofhistory’s misperception

anicymustache frostedinbittercold harshwordsspoken leanfinchespining hungryacrobatsinsnow conefeast thewindblows adoorleftopen widensapassage waitingforyou awindowcloses certainlyknowing thatIknownothing withcertainty brokenatninemonths unusedweddingcaketopper afragilecrystal picturesfromX-rays forecastdays thatwillnevercome (celebratingthebicentenialofIndianafounded1816) IN twentysixteen Indianacelebrates bicentennial

tinylightsshining duringsolsticedarkestdays signsoflife cutandtakenin evergreensaresprucingup spiritsofusall (FeastoftheEpiphany) carriedonthewind churchbellsfromhighabove crossthedistance

(Electedofficialstaketheoathofofficeafter elections) circusact somanyelephants intheroom (triptotheartmuseum) nearlymonochrome Tonalism’ssinglesign showsahumantouch stringsofsilkshow oncehewas connected highwinds waterthawsandfreezes callousedpond

beadsofrain formintothinice rosaries gyroscopic snowflakecompasses spinunreadable (VacationtoFlorida) oceanwaves callmeback timestandsstill scaronanoldpalm treecatchesoceanwinds whistlinganoldtune leatherytourists baskingwithIguanas strikeaposepoolside

IknowwhereIam firstsignseenonhighway one,silveralert (StopbyNashvilleonthewayhome) Nashvillesounds intheWildHorsesaloon& Tennesseewhiskey mixtomaketomorrow morningsredeyegravy

allthememories

Ican'tremember nothingsucceeds likesuccess forgivenbutnot forgotten teeteringtoddlers treadtowards moreseniormoments patientornot insmallrooms stillwewait organic nomore 10medicines

Spring

(St.Patricks’s day acorruptionofTankamorphedtoLimerick) ayoungpoetfromsouthCasablanca waswritingaverylongtanka hecutitintwo andfoundtwohaiku andsaidtohiseditorthankya

(Firstdayofspring) forcedbulbsofspring splashroomswithpurple scentofhyacinths

(MywifeMarysuccessfullykeptthebluebirdshereall winter) bluebirdsthatland andperchonwindowsillsstill sendspiritssoaring (MarchMadnessbasketball) close dreamsofvictory cometoaclose emptywineglasses magnifyourchoices pagesturn

(SpringPlanting–aonelinehaiku) inourgardenwegrewtogether

firstfishingtrip startlesbaskingmuskrat andfisherman rain,rain,rain,rain,rain floodingwatersandthunder rolling appleblooms promisesbefore sweetsummerseve

(FormymomwhousedtopickPeoniesfor MemorialDaydecorations) inhaling peonies pinkandwhiteperfume asinglemalesparrow callsothers wecheckour trap bigbites ayellowcaterpillar leavesawhole hole springcleaning discardingideas thatdon’twork spring miniaturedaffodils ourfirstborn

kitefestival givingwind ashape silence

I holdthehandoftime foronehour silence

I holdthehandoffather timeforonehour everyone’splaying baseballfromshortstoptofirst butIplayleftout popsicleplayers findonegloveandaballcap doesnotbringtheheat Summer

sweettastesofshortcake underastrawberrymoon apleasuretofind anoldmangrowing visiblyfull twosmilesform interruptedbyasigh relishingtheend

ofinnocence welost awaggingtail encouragesothers todothesame floppyearsflyback 40milesperhour joyride

weddingshoes,sandals eyeglasses,remotecontrol flipflops,hearingaid costofthemythicalfree K9–(female)SO B

morningstretch oneofmanythings Ilearnfrommydog suddengust amapleleafstirs myplayfulpup (Attendingamusicfestival) sheets ofrain andmusic

lyric andmusic noteselevatedthrough notes the silence between

wegobackfarther thantownecarbenchseats… highschoolreunion ridingslides rubbedwithwaxpaperwezoom from8to80 heartbeats keepingtimeofourtime onemore,onemore time

(SummertriptotheOhioRiverandCliftyFalls StatePark) forestandriver blendtomakefaintwatermarks memoriesfadefast eachdroptornapart waterfallstoastonecage roarsfadetoechoes windshapedspirals rivers fingerprints summerwaterfall coolflowtricklestoastop cuppedhandswaitempty nightwalksin summer memoriesofforestandriver faintwatermarksform

fogformedonmirrors showshadesofgreyaround myfather’smustache whistlewhilewework teakettlealarmdeclares anafternoonbreak moonbeamsinpuddles evaporateovernight ourworldsdisappear rocksoncreekbankhost childrenandexposedfossils finallyquiet morningglorydew restsamomentonedgethen dripsintopurple

braidsof whitewater tumbletomagiccauldrons allstirredtilltransformed twoextrafishing polesmagicallyreelingin neighborhoodchildren keepingtime flowerpetals onthestem onthecountertop

keepingthebeat poodleearsflappingat 30mph

fossilfragmentsfall framingOhioriver’s movingshoreline shadowsshiver beessuckledarkness leaves rockabye nurserytonursinghome backandforth

Fall aheartlocket opens andcloses cleaningup soapandtrick-or-treatersmeet Halloweenwindows scarecrowcrucifix bringinginthesheaves scaredstraight fall leaves onedayatatime

(DaylightSavings TimeEnds) silence

Iholdthehandoftime foronehour silence atearandagasp hotsauce curlup underdown aswesleep fall’sback relishtrayloaded Thanksgivinggatheringstarts celebrationtastes

asilverhook catchesastarfillednight crescentmoon pendulumstopped silentnight nowquieter enteringthechurch alldiptheirhandsinthefont wecrossourselvestwice

nothingissignificant inthefaceofdeath legionsofmartyrs andkamikaziepilots disagree surprisedwhenIhear myrecordedvoice sodifferent inmyhead anotherthought rattling'round childrensleep holdingteddybears onmother’slap thewarmthofasunnyday encouragesabuddingseed

aheadandtailbob throughafieldofprairiegrass spreadingwildoats

haikucovers papernapkins andtablecloths arborlabor aroundbasketshows yourfruit longhighways windingbacktothehighschool reunion coolstreamflows twofeetdangle minnowsnibble translucentwings fluttertothelight| nights finalvision capturedinadream the songrepeats crabsonLongIsland a sunnybeachandcoolbreeze isstillnotenough vodka oneshotleadstoanother barrelinhisthroat

pendulumstopped quietingthealready silentnight silence indarkness wedivedeeper flagswavingproud allveteransgavesome somegaveall flagsdrapedoncaskets displaytheultimateprice signofthetimes willworkforfood hungrypleasehelp leftovercardboardcontainers thebeggarrefuses

wewaitformorning's brilliantgems inanonyxnight churchbells don'tdisturb silence lightningstrikes thunderrolls darkstormmoveson

walkingthefenceline barbedwireseparates timefragments fromtheforest’sedge abreezeconjuresup woodwinds perfectlygroomed achildfinds aleafpile blackraspberry jellyjars memories petals flown inthebreeze firstautumnfreeze ragingstormssend saltwaterdrops onmyglasses guessing thedistancebetweenus thesoundofyourvoice poisedbeforepursedlips sherunsaway dandelionghosts

droppingtomyknees breathingin waterfall (mysts) cloudsandmourners atthecemeterysite comeandgo werecognize ourselves inthecomicstrips withoutfaith

Irisefrommyknees andwon’tprayagain balancingact thelaststraw removed headhangingdown heavywithseed sunflower arborlabor aroundbasketshows ourfruit mountainmen carvepaths andtheirnamesinstone

bigbite ayellowcaterpillar leavesawhole hole justoutside smellingrange hyacinths

walkingthefenceline barbedwireseparates fragmentsoftime fromtheforest’sedge abreezeconjuresup woodwinds blackraspberry jellyjars ourmemories oldfamilyfarmhouse windowglasswaves showingoldways

squirrelsbreakingthrough thesoundoffallingsnow hiddenbyaforest newlightreachesearth previouslyuncounted starsappear

colorsofmorning shifttoblueskywriting paperairplanes kissesplanted onterrafirma createspartialshade firstsnowcover shadesbrownsandgreenswithwhite knottedpatchworkquilt darkestcoldestdays behinduslingeringrays ofsunsetsatsupper

elasticwaistband myfriendsdon’tmentionthatI’m gainingacouple disappointed thatIamnotappointed tobeanointed atriversbend abouthalfwayhome wewadeinchestdeep howlingwindsstir gianttrees whistlingreeds

wildthings withbacksturned seekingshelter weholdontighter inacablecarrising ourstomachsplummet Winter oldmanwinter frosts myhair winterwonderland earthboundstarlighttwinkles inchildren’seyes

Christmaslightsonstreets illuminatehomeless frozenmen carolerssingofsilentnight wewalkpast tightlipped

woodturnstocoals fireplacewarms shadowsoffriends heartsformedfromstardust ponderstarlightmysteries onemore,onemore,time

snowmeltsurge reshapeswildcreeksandplaces sycamoresonbanks springthawswhite andredtulips innewsunnyspots blackice whiteice greyskies loosentheknot alookinthecasketfinds ourtiesmatch freezeandthaw sharpensstalactites resolutions hail inanotherwiseempty beggarscup calmharbor stretchedacrossshores theMilkyWay warmingdown acomforter apillow

dreadingtheendbeforeweturnthepage kayakpassage notraceofus inthewake gunpowdergreyclouds clearjustenoughtoexpose sunsetreds werecognize ourselves incomicstrips blackcloudshadowshifts lightningstrikesandthunderrolls RockyMountainpunch fewerdaysahead thanbehindme autumnsongsareshort greyflannelfoglifts afterten aflowerstill wetshivers walnut intheshadeofawalnut inonehundredyears

thepoweroflove peace theloveofpower growing old isnotforsissies

redandwhitewheatseed harvest,cut,thrash,grind,andsift, repurposedflour

Harris’shawkshunt yieldsafamilystylefeast RockyMountainpunch

checkingmyironing silveredmirrorsshow somewrinklesremain oilblendedwithlye cookedjustlongenoughtobe apourabletrace shouldersrubbed earsscratched atailwags

fusingspaceandtime betweenusaconcept Ican’tfathom

freezeandthaw sharpensNewYear’sstalactites resolutions woodwindssymphony reedsandicefromthawingpond whistleandcrack balancingact thelaststraw added guessingthedistance betweenusthesoundofyourvoice monkeyingaround homosapiensplaytunes feelin’groovey rockingyourblanket twentyyearsofmemories grownandgone countingsyllables onmyfingers- mywifesays "He'smathchallenged" scatteredmemories

onthetablesomepictures fromtwenty fiveyears savoringdessert notexactlyasquaremeal peanutbutterpi whenIsayhaiku notsuretheyunderstand me shesaysgesundheit goodracoonspotted lyingontheside hittheroad shootingmovies becausethebookwasbetter thegooddieyoung staffmembersdeclare theirdiseasestatesontshirts noonehasstrepthroat lookingforglasses foundinthelastplaceIlook infrontofmynose

thoughtsspinningsofast mybodyshiftsthreetimezones lyinginbedawake thickeningstewpot

manystoriesaretold overahotstove

cookingupastorm cousinsreunionrecalls somejuicystories squeezingtheairout kissincousinsliketohug somearefullofbeans squeezingsecretsout bubblingkidsdrinkgigglejuice manytruthsaretold

fixin’abigmess armedwithonlyanapron powerfulvittles

weknowweshouldn't butsomeofusstillcry wipingupspilledmilk cookiecutterkids cousinsparentsrecreate familiarstories cousincuttingup cookiesandmilk comesouthernose opinions flippingpancakes onahotgriddle

blameitandnameit historytellsstoriesby winnersthatframeit temporary incartrunkoronpavedroads averysparetire aquickpoem writtenatseventy milesperhour spillcheckedresume findscandidate’ssummery outofthepicture bucknaked inthefreezingcold ohdeer longdaysandlongnecks gettin’redderthanGeorgia clayatsunset thenshesaiddon'tstop tryingbutdidshemeanstop tryingordon’tstop twospoonsresting slightlyshifting formasmile

glassofChardonnay buttery slipofthetongue cloudsandmourners atthecemeterysite comeandgo cleaningup soapandtrick-or-treatersmeet Halloweenwindows sellingideas notecardsinthegaragesale notworthanickel

(Valentine’sday)

Iappearnaked askmywifewhatcomestomind? shesays,“newwardrobe” afterthebottle babyandme burpingandsmiling churchbellstoll worshiperslisten andpay

abluessinger andbentnotesdrivehome thejoyandpain hotimprov wecheckforspontaneous combustion weseewhat’sbeen drawnbymasters beforeus atthesuppertable begginglikeaSaint Bernard butcherpaper blackandwhiteandredallover bloodruns,westandstill

knivessharpastongues leavesbloodonthecuttingboard meeatingmywords wewanttobe backtogood…butit’salways backtogoodbye

Itriedtogiveyou whatyouwant- allyouwant istoforgetme

tablesofcoldmeat frontrowfuneralguests havenoappetite submergedondryland awaveofgriefwashespast whenleastexpected coldwavewashespast griefcomeswhenleastexpected andrecedesagain

headstonehistory neartheHeritageTrail coloredgraveyardsign twoyearspostdischarge anothercasualty gunshotsuicide abandonedbuildings resurrectedaschurches emptyurbanpromise scarecrowcrucifix bringinginthesheaves scaredstraight run,hide,fight, - survive firstrespondersminimize risk moreofthesame

dropsofbloodrun whenshe’scut butshecannot redwine,blood,andwords droponpapertablecloths blurtogether memoriestakeaim suicideshotsof vodka lastonedown driventodrinking onemorefortheroad isthelast basictraining didnotcoversuicide prevention takingaim withabarrelinhisthroat can’tmiss broken brokein brokeanddarkinside wheneyesdon’tlook somedreamsandnightmaresareseen rapideyemovement

memoriesofscraps capturedonscrapsofpaper togetheratlast dropsofbloodandwine makingourtableclothred rawcutsshow shiningshoesandcars preparingforadrivein funeralprocession drivingwithlightson longparadetothegravesite wefinallystop giveusourbreadand forgiveusourtrespasses asweforgive afterhours 12barspastmidnight allalone mistakeswemake leavealastingstain |mother’srights| (unbornchild’srights) (father’srights)

Haibun

Wed

Awayfromthe poundingdance rhythms of the adjoining building,the father of the bride,inneedof a moment alone,retreats fromthe reception. Recallingsome things left inthe backof the churchhe walks backto gather some of the refreshments for the bridalparty. As he reenters the sanctuaryfromthe vestibule he hears an in-law caressingthe keys of the grandpiano The room is filledbyone musician. Improvisingonmelodies,he explores the ranges of this masterfullycrafted instrument. Cherishingeachkeystroke he pauses to appreciate the acoustics of the room. He stops just longenoughtoreflect onhis next move. He dreams another moment andreturns toplay.

silence fills spaces Steinwayandsons graces sacredplaces

The pianohas a signthat reads donot touchbut he does not feelthe needtoaskfor forgiveness for this euphonic moment. Recountingthe experiences,the followingday,the musiciansmiles andmentions how wonderfulit was toplayvariations onAmazingGrace.

sharingandcaring manyways tolistenand playfor a lifetime

Uncle

weatheredandwornhome builtonanoldcornerstone westandintheview windowglasswaving insideasplinteredframe

Oureightyyearolduncletakesagaggleofniecesand nephewstothebarn.Heleadstwothousandpounds ofsinewyBelgiandrafthorsetous. Thegiant staggersabit.Hebendsdowntoliftafoothigh enoughtoremovearocklodgedinhisshoe.Retired andweakenedbyage,hisstrengthisstillobvious.A workhardenedlifeandmassivebodystillshowing amazingvigorbutonlyapercentageofthephysical powerpossessedatonetime. Beforehedied,herequestedthatthehorsebeput outtopastureandnotsoldtotheAmishwhowork themlikeslaves.Duringhischildhoodthey cultivatedthelandusingthegeldingsonthe farmstead.Hisfatherdrovethehorses,threesons andonedaughtersovery,veryhardsometimesI thoughthekeptandshowedthosehorsessothey couldallresttogetherafteralifeofsweatsoaked indenturedservice.

aforceofnature fencedingreenpastures containedandcontent atourold homestead weallresttogether

HalfEmpty

Athinarmreachesforahalfemptycup stoppedshort itplacesanopenhandin acompletelyemptypocket withdrawnwhenpleading,ithardlyhasmuscle enoughtonegotiatecreditatthegrocery failingwereturntothestreet,coldandhungry.

electionday'sdaze spinningpovertypolldance hungryvotersturn

Shenevercameoutandsaiditexactlybut shestillmanaged toconveythatshealwaysdidwhatittookto surviveandsomehow Iknewshehadbeenwalkingthestreets,dancinga hipthrustwiggletodrawin menwhowouldpayherfortheuseof herbody whichneverquiteseparatedfromhersoul.

redwingblackbirdsings crackingwinter’ssilentnotes southwindsoundofspring

TheBug

Travellinginthebugwithrustedfloorboards.The heatisnot reaching thewindshieldtorunthedefrosterso we are driving and scraping iceatthestoplightsfromfrozenwindowsand somehow we make it to ourentry leveljobsthatbarelypaytherenttoallow usentrytoouronebedroomapartment where wearesleepingonthefloor hopingforbetterdayswhen we can dance witheachothertogether and have a chance totradeinthebug.

insecticideskill somecockroachestravelling onmidnightpatrol

ComfreyandSage

Thecomfortoftheshadefromtheoldoaktree providesrelieffromtheheat.Amischievousten yearoldplopsdowninaringofcomfreyoutside herhouse.Sheissoakingupthescenttillher mothercallsherinfordinner.Shelingersjustalittle bitlongertosavorthecoolsweetspot.Slippingin thespringloadedbackscreendoorshefindsher mothersettingthetableandspicinguptonight's chickendinneranddressingwithsage.Shehurries pastthetableintothelivingroomwhereshe wrigglesintoapileofbatting,backingandaquilt topthatstillneedsalittletrimming.Hershortlived stayinasecondoasisendswhensheisaskedtoset thetable.

aquiltcoveredcouch mom'scookin'andaherbbed withcomfreyandsage weleavethecomfortsofhome yearningtoreturn

I’d Give an Arm and a Leg

EnteringtheroomIlookovertofindaman explainingtohisfamilythathewillgettokeephis arm.Twodaysagohewasshootinglighterfluidinit forthethrill.Amazinglyfortunateinspiteofhis inclinationtowardselfdestructionherestsinhis obliviousstateandcracksajoke. Imovetothenextroom.Thistimethepatient mentionsthatheisscheduledforsurgeryandI glancedownatthelimbfreezer.Hislegisinside. YesterdayIreachedmyarminsiderepeatedlytothe backofthefreezertoensurethetemperaturesfell belowfreezing.Fromacrosstheroom,thememory ofthecoldcameback.Althoughhewantsto keephisfoot,amputationiseminent. Ishiver unexpectedly. awaitingthecut afootinthelimbchiller it’szerohour atzerodegrees phantompainawaits

HalfMast stuffingpictures inpockets foldedpresidents

Inoticedaflagathalfmasttoday,flyinglowforthe schoolchildrenwhowereshotthedaybefore.It mademewonderwhentheflagwouldbeflown againatfullstaffandifwehonoredoursoldiersthe sameway? Gratefulforthetributeshownfor police,schoolchildrenandelectedofficials,asit turnsoutthathonorisnotnecessarilyseenacross allflagsinthenationwhenasoldierdiesandit mademewonderwhy. Everyvetthatdiedinaction orafterthewarfromsomerelatedsufferingsurely paidwiththeirlivesjustasthechildrendid.And thenIrealizedthatinthehistoryoftheUnited States,since1776,ifwewouldflytheredwhite andblueflagsathalfmastforonedayforeachof the2,852,901whodiedformingandprotectingthe countryinmilitarybattlesitwouldbeondisplay. seventhousand eight hundredtenyears atonehalfmast huntingseason notjustasport forfall

Iterations

yellowballbringsfire horizonlinepitchandcatch castsredstreaksthroughblue sunrisepaintsthesky red,purple,blue,indigo, sunsetfadestoblack sunrisepaintsthesky redsturntopinksthentoblues sunsetreturnsred

red,pink,andbluebursts asdaylightbreaksintoday andsettlestoblack whitelightstartswithred orange,yellow,blue,thenpurple greenonlybelow horizonpainted red,pink,yellow,thensomeblue manyshadesofblue

skybluestartsasred brightenstopinkthenpurple nowhitecloudstoday

(Variations,versionsandevolutionsofpoems)

iridescenttree swallowsswallowourmean mosquitoneighbors iridescenttree swallows neighbors iridescenttreeneighbors fromtheskyswallow swatteamscoopingup iridescenttree swallows gallows humorforguiltymosquitos iridescenttree swallowswoopingsweetswag throughthethroat mosquitobuffet swallowtailforkknifesthroughit silverwareshimmers swallowtailforksguide surgicalknifestrikes dinnerbellrings

shadowsflybyme asblack andwhitebikeriders darkentheconcrete

sweatandlongshadows frozenbyaphotograph greyongreyconcrete sweatdropsonconcrete accentlongshadowspainted justbeforesunset

bikeriderswheelspaint aconcretecanvaswithsun longshadowsandsweat

bikerideatsunset wheelspaintaconcretecanvas wide long shadowsfade

bikerideonconcrete shadowsandsweatmaketheirmarks temporarily bikerider’sshadows twicethesizeofbikeswheelpast matchingcadencedance

photographcaptured shadowsandsweatfrombikewheels greyongreyconcrete

sweatandlongshadows frozenbyaphotograph agreyscalecaptured

shadows aphotographfreezes whatfadesintime aphotograph captureslongsunsetshadows all fadein time sunsets longshadows fadeintime shadowsandsweat frozen byaphotograph bikerider's wheelspaintaconcretecanvas sun,shadows,andsweat dropsofsweatdarken bikeridersshadowsongrey concretecanvases

afearofflying onechickremains becomesremains fearofflying dyingwithouttrying chick(’s)remainsinnest generation upongenerationfloat inonetinyseed translucentwings fluttertolight nightsfinalvision summerdreams repeatandend moth’stranslucentwings fluttertonightsfirelight visionofsummer dreamsrepeatandendforone fallenbodiesstackbelow

--afourwaystoplight shiningredholesinthenight repeatingasecret (asatanka) astoplightflashes redlightsshineholesinthenight momentarily exposingasecret repeated peelingonions anotherburnpatientcries debridingdeepwounds washingawayonelayer thenanotherandanotherandanother peelingonions aburnpatientcries onelayeronetear

shakinghands sointimidated thefirsttimewemet shakinghands nervoustofinallymeet thatpowerfulman shakinghands intimidatingstrangers anticipated shakinghands onelastvisit withmygrandpa oldpoliticians nolongershakinghands handsshaking shakinghands mymother takeshermorningpills

oaktreessurrender nestsfindrestonfrozenground finalfatalfate toweringremnant oaktreelisteningforyears makesnosoundinfall onestumpexposes 300engagementrings nomorepromises oneoakstump 300springs onefall oakstumpexposes twelvehundredseasons onefall firewoodtombstone laysinit'sformershadow afallengiant 100foot monolithsentinel cutandcrumbling statelygiant laysinitsformershadow transformedtotombstone

lastwinterfire placewherewetoastseason’schange razingourglasses

lastwinterfire

wetoasttheseasonsandchange celebrations ---

bigfishstories growingoutofcontrol theinnocent fallingforit hooklineandsinker

fishstorieswetell somearetrue fallingforit hooklineandsinker objectsinrearviewmirror arelargerthantheyappear fishstories fallingforit hooklineandsinker ---

herons'kneebendsback awatercolorpalette shiftstoshadesofblue heron’skneebending archersbowinposition onestepcloser heron’skneebending onehalfofasilentstep closertothekill blueheronfishing stalksquietlyatpondsedge craneshisneckandstrikes

redbudblooms transformingbranchesbud heartshapedleaves redbudblooms branchesbecomebuds andheartshapeleaves redbudblooming branchesbecomebuds heartsstillhidden

earlywormfound rulesthataremade shouldbebroken earlyworm foundout earlybirdrules

bottomlessbasket becomesearlybird cornucopia

margaritassweat sweetintoxicatingtastes fromabrinybrow

sippingsweettastes intoxicatingjuices fromasaltybrow

---

lemonjuicemessage heatingthepapershowsus invisibleink theweightofinkmakes stationarypagesfly weightofink makesstationery movingpieces firsthummingbird'swings louderthantrumpetflowers announcingsummer hummingbirdfliesby announcingsummerflowers arrivalwithabuzz ---surgingrainwater forgescreekforktinesinto awidecuttingknife surgingrainwater forgingcreekforktines widecuttingknife

Ispotmyoldfriend shootingwildbirdsonthetrail longlenscamera somelittlegiant Pileatedwoodpecker feedingtheSycamorehole Sycamoregiant Pileatedwoodpecker feedingheryoungsters squaremealfromroundhole Pileatedwoodpecker's nurturingnature shootinginthewoods longlenscapturesamoment hallowedhollowhole

giantwoodpeckers fillasycamorehole withminiature flamingredcrests andstoutdarkbills dyingdecaying cavityfilledwithdeadchips offtheoldblock changingPileatedhats fromanoldtrunkfilledwithlife

yelloweyesstaring redmustachesharingsmallbites diningserenade(remove dad’smusicaltaste woika-woika-woika-kut kut–kut drum-drum-drum

feedingyounggiants amongstthelittlepeople delectablespot flamingredcrest,stoutdarkbill, Irishpubexperience ---

crystalcoldbluesky morningbrokenbywildfire meltingfrostedcoat

crystalvirusspreads inflamingmorningsky redfeverrises

crystalcoatvirus spreadsinflamingmorningsky wildfirerises

crystalvirusspreads inflamingedgeofmorning’s lucentpurebluesky

crystalvirusspreads fromfrosttoblueskymorning inflamededgereddens

Abomblegacy JapaneseAmerican historyweforget playingwithcousins ringaroundtherosie mushroomscastshadows ringaroundtherosie... theshadowscast bymushrooms windshapingtherocks softovercomingthehard timeswedonotknow fireballfalling roastedmarshmallow campfiresunset Nagasakibomb 250,000 Hibakushadie myuncleswhowereinroute returnhomeunharmedtolive

---gravityholding earthbounddreamers gazingatstarlight magneticforces repellingandattracting polaropposites sixteenTesla diamagnetic Basho’sfroglevitating

Iamaloadstone Fe3O4 loaded withimpurities ---redfoxpreying surprisedundermydeck webothfeel anadrenalinerush dashingtotheden silentmorningwalk findsafoxhunting surprise adrenalinerush backtotheden -----

firststepsofmorning barefootinankledeepgrass coolwetwakeupcall

(whenreadaloudthearbitraryassignmentof homophonesmakesthesetwo rewrites/alternativesmoresusceptibleto doubleentendre- spelledoutbelowinthese twowrittenformvariationstoshowwhatI mean)

firststepsofmorning barefootinankledeepgrass soleschillingwakeup

firststepsofmourning barefootinankledeepgrass soulschillingwakeup ---raindropsricochet reflectionsblurringbutstill someonehearsthetears (forElieWiesel,holocaustsurvivor,A 7713died July2nd2016).Theoriginalversionfromyesterday belowbeforethinkingabouttheNobelprize winner’slife

raindropsricochet

reflectionsblurringquickly noonehearsthetears ---

redblooms throughitsfragrance Ientertherose enteringamaze drawntothescentedcenter arose’sfragrance drawingafragrance pulledtothescentedcenter of aredrosemaze bloodredbloomsentwined onaclimbingthornyrose spottingleaves drawntothecenter bythescentofaredrose fragrancemaze

redblooms throughitsscentIenter therose

toytigerstriking anotherunionworker stakeshisclaim tinytoytiger terrorizestvtop wecan’twatch toytigerstriking takesanotherinnocent whenleastexpected thirtyyearsafter hisfirstcigarette wherethere’ssmoke thirtyyearsafter hisfirstpallmallcigarette a casualty thirtyyearsafter hisfirstpallmallcigarette acasualty anavybornaddiction abadhabithecan’tquit ---

fragilepatternedwings restingamongbrightpetals fluttertogether

Monarchonmilkweed restingamongbrightpetals fluttertogether

abumblebee refusesadinnerplate dahlia abumblebee passeson abutterflybush

honeybee’s hoveroverclover wewillsurelypass workerbeesreturn knowingonlywork’s mysteriousjoys

Photo Credits

MostphotosbyMikeorMaryNierstesomephotos ordrawingsareofunknownorigins.

Publishing Credits

Originally published in frogpond Winter 2020 sudden gust a maple leaf stirs my playful pup

Originally published in frogpond Fall 2019 perfectly groomed a child finds a leaf pile

WelcometoacollectionofJapanesestylepoetry forms.Lookinsidetofindmorelikethese. whenIclosemyeyes ahappychildhoodmoment comesintofocus suddengust amapleleafstirs myplayfulpup perfectlygroomed achildfinds aleafpile earlywormfound rulesthataremade shouldbebroken allthememories

Ican'tremember stringsofsilkshow oncehewas connected herons'kneebendsback awatercolorpalette shiftstoshadesofblue