Global Haiku • Fall 2021
Dr. Randy Brooks

Dance with Me, Darling

by
Allison Durhan

Allison Durham is an aspiring choreographer, director, and casting director; little did she think that she could even attempt to be a haiku poet. Nevertheless, over the course of the fall semester, she fell in love with haiku, using the art to express and heal herself through the low points of the season. As a result, she wrote Dance with Me, Darling, incorporating poems from past assignments of the Global Haiku Traditions course and personal writings. She wanted to write a book that captured what it means to be Allison Durham. From her artistic instincts to her love of food and even the silly little ideas swirling in her head, she writes down everything in three lines (more or less). She hopes that you enjoy this haiku collection, and stay tuned for any future collections!

a cold beer
at New Years Day breakfast
mim-bro-sa

old friends
in a new light
“I didn’t know you smoked”

midnight on Merchant Street
a slow dance
under the Christmas lights

christmas lights
the stars
we didn’t destroy

eating
like I did in high school
food freed(om nom nom)

hair toss, check my nails
baby, how you feeling?
like absolute shit, Lizzo

queen of broken hearts
used to be a shooting star
when did I become so dark?

running
into your arms
I wake up

MAC AND CHEESE, STUFFING, POTATOES,
SPINACH TARTS, PIE, CHEESECA—ahhhhh
my tummy hurts

rekindling the fire
my match doesn’t strike
your spark

respect
tossed your way
spare change

choking on tears
she squeezes me tight
our last hug

ink drying
my love letter
crumpled on the ground

weekly panic attack
delayed
waiting game

bat in the attic
potential vampire boyfriend?

cowering
in the flame of your gaslight
only to be proven right

red skin blisters
the roof of my mouth
burns from your kiss

months and months
of crunches
slightly visible abs

the twisted paradox
a God complex
and body dysmorphia

1:00 am
dimly lit parking lot
dance with me, darling