birdsong
takes the sting
out of ruined silk

baby's first Thanksgiving
throwing turkey
at her Daddy

bobber glistens
in the afternoon sun—
sleeping redneck

walking through
the woods alone
 ah...a mushroom!

at the party
we finally talk
it only took six months

hot breath
against my neck . . .
whispered pet name

chocolate martinis
with the girls
boyfriends at home

before the concert
we sneak into the men's room
to pee

peeing behind a bush
aware of my sound
people walk by

the bartender
cleans up
where no one has been

the open window
lets in the bird song
at dawn

moonlight enters
the open window
passing street sweeper

on the calendar
the x's are taking over
December

cigarette break
the gossip
catches her breath

orange cones
dotting the highway . . .
detour home

Santa ho ho's
and on his lap
the little girl cries

almost ready
for their Christmas photo
three dogs chew their sweaters

my father
home for the holidays
in a tiny urn

light touches
the folded flag
hidden in a dusty drawer

resting on the sidewalk
mistaken for a bum
he hands me loose change

you never knew I watched you
leave your goodbye
letter on the counter

surrounded by family
but alone
forever and always

opening the blinds
I smile
and rumple my bed hair

in the bar
re-enacting
our first kiss

a flag slowly lowers
silence broken
by those few sad notes

Christmas morning
Grandpa’s stocking
hung but empty

Japan House Tea Ceremony Haiku
(select 3 favorites)

at the tea ceremony
turning the bowl
to show respect

simple tea bowl
a hundred hands
cradled its warmth

smooth yet precise motions
bowing with respect
honored tradition

in the small tea room
I remember
my childhood

without a word
friends smile, bow
warm green tea

whisking the tea
in an ancient bowl . . .
no hurry, no worry

cleaning the spoon
cloth catches tea dust
and thoughts

before, after
the tea ceremony
eight tatami mats

slowly preparing tea
night falls—
unnoticed

bowing to enter
the tea hut
one behind another

she bows
giving me permission
to drink the warmth

quietly watching
precise movements,
aged through tradition

tokonoma haiku . . .
clouds go, clouds come,
froth in the bowl

release of emotion,
sudden calm
lying on a tatami mat