the neighbors stare
from the porch
–tulips

tacky ornaments
out of a musty shoebox
little girl's treasure

looking below
I see the bottom
hesitant

Andrea Salzman (4)

dark clouds
scared children hear
the sound of a train

Tine Calhoun (3)

school's out
movie line
. . . shorter

cool evening air
smell of firewood
marshmallow melts in your mouth

Tina Calhoun

I love the way this makes me think about camping or just sitting in my back yard around the fire pit making s’mores and having fun with family and friends. I can feel the cool air, I can see the dark of dusk falling, and I can taste the perfectly melted marshmallow. The marshmallow is thin and crispy on the outside and soft and gooey on the inside and tastes sweet. Erica

torrent midnight storm
rattling of an Usher door…
Thy sister hath come!

up and down
the water bounces
up and down

Andrea Salzman

icy rain
stings my face
climate of my heart

fallen leaves
the dog
…is buried

Chonda Chisenall

I liked this one because I have a dog. And every fall when I am trying to rake up the leaves she will always run, and jump in them so it takes when forever to get them into piles. Then she will dig in the piles and bury herself. Andrea

cornfield 1
freshly 2 plowed 3
4 deer

Wendy Miller (2)

blinding rays
through the branches
cruising strobe

sunset on my eyes
sitting ont the rock's edge
saying goodnite

cold snowy expanse
no tracks
anything's possible

Richard Stivers (6)

pink magnolia in full bloom
thoughts of the day
she becomes Mrs.

wet grass
sliding between my toes
LOOK- a four leaf clover!

Carrie White (4)

I imagine young children running out the front door without their shoes on. They are so excited to be outside again, since they have had to stay inside all morning because of the rain. They can feel the cool wetness sliding between their toes as the run. It feel so wonderful to them that they want to look down and watch the grass going between their toes as they run. One little girl stops dead in her tracks and notices that the grass looks different in one area. She gets down on her knees and finds a four leaf clover. She remembers hearing about four leaf clovers from a book her mother had read to her, and they were to be lucky. She yells out “Look- a four leaf clover”. All of the children run over to her and want to see it too. They are now all on the hunt to find their very own four leaf clovers. Julie

fresh snow
human footprints
scattered

Chonda Chisenall

Last winter was my first winter in Illinois. I had been to the snow in the mountains when I lived in California but I had not experience snow the way it is here. The first time it snowed, I was so afraid to go outside because I didn’t have my snowboots yet. I wanted my son to feel the snow so I took him outside to play. I walked over the footprints that were already there and I was glad that they were there. Connie

This haiku provides me with the image of a rolling field just after a snowfall. Those footprints found are that of several children. Such as myself, I’m sure that most kids enjoy playing in the snow. Having the opportunity to play in freshly fallen show is a terrific opportunity for a child. The landscape becomes the canvas while the child’s boots become the paint. I envision a child eager to put his artwork onto the land. In order to not have another neighborhood kid or sibling mess up the canvas, he must quickly put his feet to work and reveal his artistic talent. The absence of a person, but only scattered footprints helps me envision the child quickly moving on to more canvas and leaving behind something for everyone else to view. Greg

summer day
laying in the sun
skin on fire

Andrea Salzman (5)

This reminds me of the endless summer days in high school when I would sleep all day long in the family pool working on my tan. If my skin didn’t feel as if it were on fire, I wasn’t satisfied. In order to intensify the effect, I had been know to use Crisco and Baby Oil. Patricia

This haiku reminds me of myself sunbathing. One very hot day, I was outside sunbathing and the only relief I had from the heat was from my water bottle. Every time I would spray water on myself, the water would dry instantly. Even though I was hot and sweating profoundly, I remember thinking to myself: It is only 2:00; I can handle the sun for at least another half hour. I was wrong! I got so burnt that day, it felt like my skin was on fire for three days. I can honestly say that I did learn my lesson that day. Chonda

sunset at the beach
summer love
first kiss

Jacqueline Kauffold (6)

This is a typical love scene. The beach is calm with a few sea gulls floating on the air currents. Other gulls are on the shore. A couple walking along the beach enjoying the sunset and in the beauty of the moment, they kiss. So few words yet, it paints an unforgettable picture. Diana

seemingly endless silence
will it come back on
a western fills the air

salmon climbing rapids
know how I feel
sometimes

Richard Stivers (4)

This is how I feel about my experience in the PACE program. In the beginning when I first began the program it was overwhelming and some of the assignments have been outrageous. Coming back to school to future my education was a mountain to I had to climb. After being in for 18months now I feel as thought I have reached the summit of the mountain and am on my way down the other side. Tamika

This little haiku exemplifies the struggles of getting through the PACE program. In many cases, it has been an uphill battle. I can relate to the Salmon, frantically swimming against the current. It is certainly contrary to established habits in some of us who have passed our 20th class reunion. Although the struggle is arduous, the reward is worth the effort. Diana

hot day
skating at the beach
loving the sun

steamy Sunday
she lifts her hair
wet ringlets

Richard Stivers (6)

early morning
encouraging glance
time for another day

Connie Cruz

sand on fire
hop, hop, hop, stop
cool blanket

Patricia O'Dear (2)

hot sand
under my feet
I run

Erica Lamarche (9)

endless summer's night
spent with you
until the birds sing our song

Patricia O'Dear (7)

I am reminded of the times before my husband and I married. We would stay on the phone all night when we first meet each other. Many of those nights were sleepless, we stayed up until the morning light and the birds chirped. I would then have to rush around getting ready for work and be sleepy all day long, and do the same thing that night. Tamika

corn in husks
roasting slowly
in the heat

darkened neighborhood
flashlight beam
tag—you’re it!

Elaine Agnew (5)

This reminds me of a childhood that has passed and a childhood my children will not see. Playing flashlight tag was a Friday night ritual in my old neighborhood. There were several kids who would participate and the games would go on late into the night. It was a great neighborhood. As an adult, I live in a nice neighborhood with two children. Where do the children play? They certainly aren’t playing flashlight tag throughout the neighborhood. This haiku reminds me of a time that was safe and fun. Tobi

every last drop
drinking the juice
of melted popsicles

Erica Lamarche (9)

summer dusk
childhood fun begins
You're it!

Jacqueline Kauffold

A child never wants the good time of playing with your friends to end. When dusk came, you knew it was time to come in for dinner, bath, and finally bed time. I have many fond memories of summer time playing baseball, tag, catch, or whatever else we could think of. Oh, how I so enjoyed summer time with my neighborhood friends. I think back now and wonder what it would be like to be a child again, but I can in a way, through my children. I hope they too will have very fond memories of their childhood. Christina

summer vacation
no more books
sleeping till noon

baseball caps
all lined in a row
on the outside looking in

Jacqueline Kauffold (3)

awake at dawn
early morning fishing
asleep by the shore

Jacqueline Kauffold (3)

Everyone knows you must get up at the crack of dawn to go fishing. Anytime I managed to get out and about early, I always ended up calling it a day earlier, or wishing I was asleep, while fishing on shore. Patricia

hot summer heat
wet and wild
on the slip-n-slide

reading all day
on the back porch swing
lost . . .

Beth Forcum (7)

wild dandelions blowing
out of control
cut at it’s prime

sneak in
hoping unnoticed
who's there

Julie Crabtree

This brings me to my teenage years. When my brother would go out at night, I would sleep on the couch. My job was to basically make sure he made it to his room without mom catching him sneaking in. I think he was usually intoxicated. I would get him to his room; get him to bed, and then go to bed. In the morning I would make sure to clean up whatever mess he may have made.
I chose this haiku because it brought me back to a time in my life when it was so much easier. Wendy

summer evening
same woman and dog
sit together on the swing

Wendy Miller

I imagine an older woman who lives by herself and her dog is her companion. She enjoys sitting on her swing, always watching what goes on. I can see her petting her dog, just taking in the evening, I can see the woman and her dog enjoying the evening on the swing. Connie

sleeping grandma in the living room
sleeping grandpa in my bed
storms bring it all

long ears
big heart
she is led by her nose

Patricia O'Dear (4)

I instantly thought of my coonhound, “Ali” who this describes perfectly. The writer recognizes that hounds are led by their noses, and can be very valuable. I remembered that I have intended to enter Ali as a search and rescue dog. Her sense of smell is so intense it’s amazing. I would say her sense of smell is 7 times greater than our lab, loverboy. He tries hard though. Mary

Christmas eve
grandma’s pinatas
candy to eat

lights out
covered in ice
here comes everyone

small town
my bicycle
knows the way

Erica Lamarche (9)

This haiku very much reminds me of my childhood. I grew up in a town of about 100 people. Everybody knew everybody and I was allowed to ride my bike “around town”. I would be gone for 2-3 hours at a time. I loved to go to the small school and play on the playground, or go to what we all called the first bridge. My mom never seemed to mind me being gone. My bike would know the way around town. I would not even have to think where I was going. As soon as I read that haiku I could see myself back in my home town. I see a nice warm summer day. I can hear the birds singing and as I ride closer to the main road in town I can hear the semi’s driving into town to dump their load. Life seemed so simple back then. This haiku is very visual for me. Tina

bee buzzing
in my ear
you so nosey

country road
wildflowers dot
a sea of green

Elaine Agnew (4)

ice cold popsicle
my dog
eats two

first flower
on the shrub
new beginnings

give a second glance
to the roadside
the return of green grass

clean scent of pine
captive in our living room
a real Christmas tree

Beth Forcum (5)

lovers walking
enjoying the scents
honeysuckles

stuffy victims
torn to shreads
by the lonely Bischon

Patricia O'Dear (3)

I thought the writer of this Haiku did a great job!! We have had
Several victims that are in chew toy heaven: the purple monkey we called, “bunkey”, and “Doc”, one of the 7 dwarfs. I Can see a precious Bischon running around lonely waiting for her master to come home and she takes all of her anxiety out on the “victim”. Mary

Old Faithful
seemed higher
years ago

Richard Stivers (6)

I once drove off the beaten path to see the house in which I had lived for a good portion of my pre-teen years. When I located the house, I couldn't believe it was so small. I had always pictured it as being huge. It is amazing how our perceptions are influenced by our size or age. When I was about sixteen years old, I remember seeing a relative that I hadn't seen since I was about five. I had remembered him as being a giant. When I saw him again when I was sixteen, I was shocked that he wasn't that much taller than myself. He was six foot one and I was five foot six. However, I was probably just three feet tall when I was five. I had remembered straining my neck to look up at him. When I was sixteen, I could almost look him in the eye. Diana

endless field
tiny footsteps through tall grass
smelling flowers as he goes

December morning
his first cry
changed my life

Connie Cruz (10)

This Haiku reminds me of the joy I experienced when I brought home both of my boys from the hospital. From that day I brought each one of them home my life definitely changed. There wasn’t anymore picking up and leaving at the spur of the moment. My husband and I had to get a baby sitter and have things previously arranged. There was limited time at any outing that we attended, because we had to get back to the kids. Now that my oldest is approaching babysitting age we can maybe at least get away to the grocery store.The change in my life was for the best, I adore my boys. Dee

     busy four-lane
     traffic halted

Mama and her nine goslings waddle safely across

Carrie White (2)

white car
kissing guardrail
snow storm

Wendy Miller (4)

I love the sound of this haiku. I can picture a white car up against a guardrail on a road seldom traveled. I remember when my sister went out in a snow storm to pick up her teenage son. It was very slick that evening and snowing fiercely. She went over a bridge and slid against the guardrail. Luckily, she regained control of the car. However, it was very scary for her and her kids. Elaine

open window
past circulating blades
lies salty flesh

Patricia O'Dear (2)

vacation
swimming . . .
in the rain

Elaine Agnew (6)

cold and creamy
running down their arms
hurry before it melts

snow covered trees
sparkles in the sunlight
snowmobiling

Tina Calhoun (4)

elegant rainbow
after the rain
jumping in puddles

Neisha Joyner

I can see my daughter’s bare feet jumping in the puddles after the rain. She loves the rain and jumping in the puddles. She likes to find the biggest puddle and jump all the way through it. If the sun is out, I can picture a rainbow in the puddle as she jumps. Elaine

waiting to be caught
lovers watch over their shoulders
--an affair

Easter morning
it’s too cold
for this frilly dress

yesterday
the long stories
I’ll never tell

Patricia O'Dear

Once more I have to dwell on this loss and failure in my marriage. I loved this haiku because it is a bittersweet reminder for my daughter. Her father grew into a not so good person while married to me. This haiku draws out the nostalgic feelings of the good and bad that she will never know of her family and the life her father and I briefly shared, in the whole of things. There is regret there, wisdom… but regret. Carrie

I love this haiku for all it doesn’t say. It leaves the reader thinking over the possibilities. What kind of stories are there? What might have happened in this person’s life? Is it a dark secret or something wonderful? It is so intriguing. It leaves us pondering our own deep, dark (or lovely?) secrets – things held close, if the safety of our own hearts. Beth

Alaska
Tourons . . . short
for tourists     morons

cloudy day...
she doesn’t understand
why she is burnt

water wings
small boy
floating

Niagara Falls
rubber raincoats
holding a nun’s hand, not hers