Learning to Fly

Global Haiku Traditions
Millikin University
April 8, 2014

Learning to Fly

snowfall
abandoned factory
machines rust

occasional clinking
of the family of rats

the trapped cheese
does not entice
the clever rat

snap!—the inexperienced rat
falls victim to the trap

luna moths
flutter to the grass
moon dew

droplets glide
like tears on the window

•

looking up from
from the action novel—
she jumps at her own reflection

a zit stares back
begging to be popped!

a mother deer
strolling by
fawns in row

not wanting to be led
independence growing

college boy
angered by his parents
thunderstorm

jumps in car
hits the gas

•

cars piled up
on a bridge
moon shines above

narcotics rain
from the overpass above

high as a kite
on that spring afternoon
he tried to fly

his makeshift 'chute
didn't do the trick

cherry blossoms
blowing in the breeze—
memories of his family's problems

southern night sky
the whippoorwill

•

spreading a blanket
A young couple
stargazes

midnight moonlight
by the little creek

the fish
jumping through the air
flying

heart leaping within
looking in his eyes

summer heat—
she wipes ketchup
from her new blouse

a wolf whistle
from the Mustang

•

long flowing dresses
tantilizing
in the warm spring breeze

sand between her toes
warmed by the sun

rows of bikinis
line the grass
summer heat

the moon can't be seen
fireworks

Boom!
Clap!
A soldier taken back.

the start of
another war

•

rages on,
never ending, creating
scars

the earth in pain
sacrifice

the tornado's destruction—
a family
distraught, but whole

with dry wall
hop scotch squares

summer heat—
the tree on the lawn
still blooms

seeds are planted;
time will tell, the harvest

• • •