Global Haiku • Fall 2021
Dr. Randy Brooks

third degree burns

by
Priscilla Sabourin

“third degree burns” is my first haiku collection. The title comes from my signature haiku. I picked this specific haiku because it was my very first Kukai winner, and that was a very special moment to me. I originally was thinking of trying to plan a specific theme for this book, but then I realized that I didn’t want to pick and choose haiku based on a specific theme. I wanted to share the haiku that I thought best showed off my writing from this semester of growth, learning, and exploration. So this is a collection of the haikus I’m the most proud of, and that I think best represent me as an author. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed writing them.

your delicate finger
traces my thigh
third degree burns

rainy morning after
our conversation
on a mental loop

early morning sunrise
for one fleeting moment
i knew who i was

lilies in hand
I let go
of my expectations

car horn honks
mom frowns as I
grab my purse

justifying him
to my friends
my monologue

touch that lingers
from the person
who never stays

holding your hand
as i accept my role
placeholder

the longer you stare
the more naked I feel
fool's gold