Illegal Love

Global Haiku Traditions
Millikin University
April 8, 2014

Illegal Love

laughing at his
jokes, late
summer night

she moves her hair
behind her ear

day dreaming
a smile crosses her lips
first love

the memory
quickly fades

a rekindled love
the soft light
of the moon

lost in his eyes
the night turns to day

•

the fire in his eyes
burns hot
unnatural

coolness of her hand
calms my emotions

a sweater
he always wore
her miniskirt

mom said her dress
would get her into trouble

Sunday afternoon—
the polite receptionist
puts her mind at ease

the patient waits
for doctor's call.

•

the news
changes her life
—Autumn moon

shines across the pond
fishies dance

I bait them in
and throw them back—
cool breeze

daddy-daughter day
exchange of stones

memories of when
times were better
flowers

april showers
soaked shoes

•

reading on the porch
the sound of rain
all around

drip drip drip
the faucet echoes

midnight strikes
the clock tower bell
rings for hours

a man at the top,
the crowd below shouts

“What did this man do officer?”
“he just . . . He did everything.”
prison stories

blues harmonica
reflected by the concrete walls

•

sun through the window
on the floor
shadows of bars

visitation day
no one waits for him

in the empty cathedral
he delivers the eulogy
anyway

on the rooftop
he cries to the moon

cold wind
the man slips
on the ice

dying moonlight
the only witness

•

dirty hands
as cold as the tin cup
a beggar dies

lost and forgotten,
crowds pass by

a gust of wind
taking his soul
to a better place

like water
spiritual evaporation

the flowers
never stop
asking questions

the cards
only sympathize

• • •