summer breeze
the dogwood tree’s
fragrant blossoms
hummingbirds working
to raise their family
sister’s kite
a mind of its own
flying
birthday party
spoiled by the storm
Mom’s tears
illuminated
by the moonlight
cricket’s chirping
alongside the hushed night
•
wedding rehearsal dinner
true feelings
exposed
the bride cowers
in the bathroom
a lone wolf’s cry
heard
over the treetops
first excursion together
sharing a tent
autumn wind
quenches
their flame
clouds form—
one more cigarette
•
leaning against the car
the moon as the backdrop
together
rain falls
on spring leaves
the young mother
pauses
there is never time
the baby shrieks
lunchtime already
under the cherry blossom tree
we sit
waiting out the rain
a momma squirrel and her babies
beat us to the punch
•
hot summer night with
bases loaded
sweating
multitasking mom
yells up for dirty laundry
rowdy kids
running wild
in potent chive fields
dinner bell rings
from mom’s strained vocals
new puppy
loose and escaping
stops to eat a tulip
after summer downpour
the green garden grows
•
home three minutes late
Dad at the door—
his angry eyes on
dusty frames
capture her parents’ whole story
heating up
without the sun
in back of a Chevy
cell phone rings
little sister having boy issues
moon’s water reflection
sets the mood
a mud puddle
through the passing storm
stars peek
•
pigtails in the doorway
with new shoes
first day of school
groans sound as the teacher commands
annotate Shakespeare’s Macbeth
soft spring breezes
blowing her curls
and up her skirt
kids- holding hands
down the hallway
longing at the
cherry blossom tree
from indoors
summer rain
cleansing the blackest surface
• • •
Liz Ciaccio
Elizabeth Braden
Global Haiku Traditions
April 4, 2006