LEAVING THE NEST

Global Haiku Traditions
Millikin University
April 8, 2014

Leaving the Nest

spring rain—
drops cling to greedy mouths
of morning glories

LD

the beautiful butterflies are
nowhere to be found.

AF

a raging stream
swollen
with new fuel

TH

sprays across the cement,
broken hose

JF

we play until
the street lights come on—
full moon

HN

we gaze in silence
awed by the sight

DV

•

In full battle armor
the king
rallies his troops

AB

sunlight reflects
the perfect sword

JM

riding into the storm
summer winds
overwhelm the vessel

DD

“You have my bow.”
“Ane my axe!”

KKB

the knight
unarmed but dangerous
scares the enemy

BB

war mask on the little boy
a bedtime story

RMB

•

warriors pounce
upon unsuspecting prey
red moon rises

JD

in the middle of dawn
the deer chew clover

LD

The doorbell rings—
she opens the door
to a bouquet of roses

AF

upstairs, her brother
with a shotgun

TH

aimed at the target
nailed to the
blossom tree

JF

Raindrops fall
from the tree

HN

•

the baby sobs
distressed
mother rocks

DV

her feeble mental state
compounded by narcotics

KKB

soothing rocking chair
relaxing
her aching mind

BB

out the window pane,
a mushroom cloud

DD

Brendan Frasier
steps into the sun;
a new world

JM

wasted land
one tree stands tall

AE

•

one lone tree
the birds all crowd
their only home

AF

construction site;
nature damaged and in pain

JD

with her hand on her belly
they choose
the kitchen paint

LD

house warming gift
a baby crib

RMB

silver moon—
the owl prepares the nest
for the hatchlings

LD

hushed baby smiles
as mom sings a lullaby

JD

•

a singing voice
carries in the breeze
through cherry blossoms

AF

sizzling bacon cooking
in the house next door

AE

a mother’s
call
breakfast time

JM

as she spits chewed up worms
into mouths, chicks chirp

DD

a blossom in the breeze
caught
in the throat of the giver

BB

he contemplates . . .
and asks the clouds, “why?”

KKB

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