A Father's Journey

Global Haiku Traditions
Millikin University
April 8, 2014

A Father's Journey

the child learns
to play checkers—
rainy day

the cat purrs
by his side

running quickly
the man crosses the yard
unseen

raising the unlocked window
he becomes a shadow in the room

underneath the moonlight
he enters the house
—not welcome

the halls and floorboards
creeeaaakkkk

• 

unseen faces
greeting him
with love

a glow of sunrise
on the ocean horizon

each wave beating
on her broken body
cleansing the pain.

the old captain
saves himself in the lifeboat

a flicker of hope
is dashed . . .
the unending sea

all-encompassing sand
a mouthful of grit

• 

stuffing my mouth
after a fall from
moon gazing

the stars ignite
my thoughts

anger burns forth
expectations run high
lack of value

on the contested property
why are they fighting?

blades drawn
blossoming daisies
splattered with blood

young mother
waters her garden

• 

storm clouds gathering
the flowers
sway in the wind

water droplets pool
on the gravel drive

lost in the watery grave
of a dewdrop
the gnat

back home
Mom's apple pie

Dad working
in the yard
his surprise awaits!

worms eat
at the fallen leaves

• 

brightly scattering
the forest floor
. . . autumn's breeze

they run
through a field of flowers

a father's mind
his daughter
runs to adulthood

but he never forgets
those days

old truck stutters
he works the pedals
as she steers

losing control
the truck collides with a tree

• 

muttering thunder
reminds him of that
scary spring night

the ground shaking
earthquakes break the fish tank

the wide-eyed guppy
free-falls
to the carpet

the youngest son
runs to his aid

he drops
     . . . listens
           . . . sobs

blossoms—
bloom

• • •