On Lake Calm

six white sails
reflections float
on calm water

a light breeze
dances across my skin

workweek
a distant memory
lazy Sunday afternoon

warm sun
begins descent
nearer the horizon

late afternoon
nothing but unspoken wishes

I drift away
quietly in my mind
the sunset

Bruce Nielsen & Diane Reasoner

Day in the Park

noisy play ground
shaded by a great elm
a child sits alone

nearby a tiny violet
stands among the clover

clear blue sky
from a single cloud
sudden raindrops

twirling in the air
a colorful umbrella

the robin's nest
touched by a rainbow
like a pot of gold

treasures in my day
memories of the park

Patti Freimuth and Deb Lehman

A Child's Eyes

cold brisk chill
the story of his father
untold

tears softly falling
flashes of memories

laying on the damp grass
the boy and his baseball
by his side

missing a pop fly in
the championship game
long ride home

silence unfolds
thunder rumbles from a distance

reflections in a puddle
remembering his smile
I see myself

Tena Myers and Linda Oakleaf

Celebrations

crisp cool air
my worries blow away
ride on the Harley

open road
winding through corn fields

first ride on grandpa’s tractor
enormous tires leave
evidence of its path

excitement captured
in a photograph

scarecrows and cornstalks
among the jack-o-lanterns
trick-or-treaters

raking leaves
and candy wrappers

Patti Freimuth & Cindy Stuckey

Solo

noisy playground
shaded by a great elm
a child sits alone

nearby a lonely violet
stands among the clover

clear blue sky
from a single cloud
sudden raindrops

twirling in the air
a colorful umbrella

sultry evening
on the computer
I play solitaire

outside in the black sky
only the wishing star

Patti Freimuth & Deb Lehman

Noon Beach

summer noon
hits my face
with pulsating heat

on the beach
water cools my toes

ocean breeze
building sandcastles
surfers riding high

volleyball
in my bare feet

laying on the beach
seagulls overhead
waves crashing in

tide coming
a pink sunset

Michelle Dalluge, Alec Le Feur, & Becky Voigt

Postcards

winding dirt road
nature painting
the direction        JL

blooming wildflowers
scent of country air        LB

roar of an engine
tires turning
humming an old song        JL

historical markers
deserted farm homes
days gone by        LB

brookling stream
hidden behind trees        JL

postcard greetings
wish you were here        JL

by Lori Baietto & Jeanne Luckenbill

The Beach

clear blue sky
seagulls overhead
sand between my toes         LB

overfilled pails
sandcastles in a row        LB

two girls splashing
water in the sea
as waves float in        CL

an old woman
gathering seashells
thinks back in time        CL

the sunset sparkles
on the deep blue sea         CL

starlit sky
water washing the shore
sand crab footprints         LB

by Lori Baietto & Cassandra Long

Separation in Time

warm sunny day
no worries, no fears
a new life just beginning

a photograph of the past
a reminder of you

smiles and tears
joy and sorrow
a broken heart can’t be mended

memories long ago
f lood my mind and soul
lives forever change

hopes and dreams abandoned
no relief to be found

sirens growing near
traffic blocks the way
someone dear to you

Linda Haynes and Gayle Tipsword

Moral Fiber

newborn child
in the hands of his mother
both with a lot to learn

one day beg for first words
now says too much

first day of school
mother and child
both afraid

so happy, it’s the first date
so sad, I’m starting to let go

friendly sunny day
some cry, some smile
high school diploma

doves flying over wedding bells
now we are back where we began

Keith Campbell & Jaylyn Nicole

Paradise

cold early morning air
no words spoken
between them

twigs snap underfoot
darkness

treeclimbing
into his stand
dawn arrives

doe scent in the air
peacefulness overcomes

bleating call
bow raised and
arrow shot

whitetail lifts
his massive rack falls

Jon and Kathi Overheul

Queen at last

five girls
five boys
one vote

crazy costumes
walk the hallway

loud cheerleaders
football players
one big bonfire

crisp autum air
kick off

crown upon my head
smile stuck to my face
we dance hand in hand

Crystal Swain & Kathi Overheul

blinding flash of lightning
silhouette
knife in hand

thundering clashes
the stairs creaks

scared to move
window is stuck
flashlight's dim

Saturday night
at the carnival haunted house

can't wait to get out
my heart pounding fast
running through the house

can't find the exit
look! more people

Nova Spence, Joe Walters
and Bryan Williams

Refreshing Shores

soft sand
warms
as the sun rises

pelicans gliding
overhead

the breeze
from the ocean
thunder

my salty hair
tangled
as it dries

suds clinging
to the kelp

morning shower rinses
everything clean
summer

Bruce & Melissa Nielsen & Don Byers

A group of ladies
sitting around venting
drinking margaritas        CL

ice water sweating n the sun
kid’s playing in the pool
cricket sounds at dusk        JR

beer dinking
at night time        CB

dogs barking in the yard        CH

a child falls
cries ring out
feelings of fear        CB

Cassandra Long & friends

A Country Visit

flowers blooming
fragrant air
birds are singing

laundry on the line
bees busy

homemade pie in the window
sizzling sound from the skillet
corn is husked

crisp white linens
table is set

moisture forming on the glasses
conversations of many
laughter

thankfulness
dawn turns to darkness

Alec & Jamie

Nesting

Baby blue bird egg
Lies unhatched
Still and full of life

Warmth inside the darkness
Mom's underbelly

Dog speaks ferocious bark
Ma flys away
Egg quakes unprotected

With gift of flight
She is now a
Kamikaze pilot

Beak strikes muzzle
Feathers fly

Mom and babe
In the nest
Naked now

Diane Reasoner & Michael VanFleet

The family reunion

The forth of July
with Clear sky’s
and a full moon

The blue ocean with
heavy waves in the sea

The ship sails
as the band plays
it’s dinner time

The first dance
they all join in
the electric slide

The beach with white sands
the barbecue cook out

Kisses and hugs
everyone goes their
separate ways

Josh Guise

morning surf
a dog fills the sky
with seagulls

perfect sunrise
sand between my toes

spotted a whale
did you bring a frisbee

forgot sunscreen
its going to be a scorcher
where’s the dog… now

sailboats in the distance
a rainbow of colors

sand is burning now
the water soothes
my feet

by; Bryan and Denise Williams (hokku by Jim Boyd, The Haiku Anthology, p. 17)

A Promise

vows
our promise
will last forever

words spoken
from the heart

golden bands
on our fingers
for life

pulling me close
our wedding kiss
embrace

our song
we dance slowly

Together
memories we make
as one

Becky Voigt & Jeseca Estell

Her Snapshots

whimpers in the cold night
she cries out for
mother's milk

the bell rings
we walk hand in hand

a dance to remember
love at first sight
my first kiss

fall leaves
passenger scared of new driver

tulip fragrance
walk across the stage at
graduation ceremony

student loans
100 miles from home

Crystal Swain & Kathi Overheul

Friendly Disagreement

dial by memory
the voice
of a friend

acquaintance’s share interest
diamonds and numbers

we argue
to prove a point
only to move on

the master of stats
provides useless knowledge

the boys of summer
grant memories
and welcoming conversations

baseball and friendship
are a constant tale

Keith & Clint

bases loaded
daughter on pitchers mound
heart beats rapidly

standing proud
ball in hand

pride overcomes me
sitting in the stands
game on line

the last pitch
head hanging low

tears fill my eyes
daughter heartbroken
waiting with open arms

after the game
love from mom

Michelle & Ashley Dalluge

Wedding Reception

short weekends
high grass and limped flowers
long trip

bright sun
a toast with white wine

cool nights
laughter in the air
jazz playing

saturday night
we watched the stars
the last kiss

tired feet and secret thoughts
journey home

quiet night
no one’s home
fast asleep

Josh & Shawn Guise

A Mother's Duty

tide rolls in
their footprints disappear
in the sand

little boy and grandma
walking hand in hand

looking up to heaven
not wanting his teardrops
to fall

a long way from home
remembering the hugs and kisses
and missing her scent

stationed in Iraq
yellow ribbons tied to a tree

memories engraved in stone
my hero dies
for me

Tena Myers and Linda Haynes

Glimpses of Light

glare from water
the fisherman squints
to see his line

sun peeks into the window
baby smiles

high chair click
two teeth shine
biting spoon

glowing mommy
cleans a messy face

a friendly smile
startles in the mirror
the shiney braces off

a bright new grin
big beautiful world

Linda Lehman and Deb Lehman