The Wilted Flower

Global Haiku Traditions, 2017

by

Benjamin Maynard, Alex Pratt, & Austin Taylor

AP = Alexander Pratt
AT = Austin Taylor
BM = Benjamin Maynard

The Wilted Flower

orange sun
sets across the lake
family barbecue

-- BM

children arguing over
a game of horseshoes

-- AT

the parents step in
before the beginning
of the fighting

-- AP

the solver of all problems
ice cream

-- BM

out stretched hand
grabs at the cookie
in the sky

-- AT

in the night
everyone is at peace

-- AP

•

all of a sudden
the past is brought up
and yelling begins

-- BM

begging wife
not in front of the kids

-- AT

Too late—
kids ask why
mommy and daddy are fighting

-- AP

unsure of what to say
hearts drop

-- BM

parents sigh
and decide to have
"the talk"

-- AT

they file into court
the divorce begins

-- AP

•

the moon rises
this day
has come to an end

-- BM

husband awakes
to loneliness

-- AT

the court has decided
his wife gets
complete custody

-- AP

the father
smiles no more

-- BM

his head drops
lower and lower
wilted flower

-- AT

he begs her
to let him see them

-- AP

• • •