Global Haiku • January 2025
Dr. Randy Brooks

Past, Present, Future

by
Brittney Spalding

The haiku in this collection, "the past, present, future," are some of my favorites and serve as a reminder of one of the most exquisite aspects of haiku writing: expressing the beauty of the smallest things. The overriding theme of the haiku in "the past, present, and future" is that no matter what the "storm," even the little things in life can provide happiness and solace. We can choose to be resilient, joyous, and focused on the small things that make life beautiful, even when we all confront difficulties. Sometimes, we can develop through our storms. No matter what we face in life there is always a brighter present and future.

open book
her laughter echoes
through the margins

city lights
the hum of traffic fades
just me and the moon

empty playground
a crow's shadow down
the tallest slide

train whistle—
the way my thoughts
echo home

a broken promise
lingers like wet footprints—
they'll dry in time

masks conceal,
eyes reveal
kindness heals