Global Haiku • Spring 2022
Dr. Randy Brooks

Finding the Sun

by
Jasmine Humphrey

In my life I find that I am the secondary . . . placing others above myself, existing merely as a shadow, a being with the stars and constellations. Other times, I feel as if I am as bright as the sun. I have gone through extreme periods of self-doubt, due to the loss of loved ones and the feeling that I am never good enough. Now, I have found my Sun - my partner who lifts me up and puts all those fears to rest. I have friends that shine as bright as the sun's rays.

sharing the sky
one day
the sun shall kiss the moon

a butterfly on my shoulder
at your funeral
i know you are still here

i wipe away my tears
alone —
inside the stall

begging you
to hold my hand
in public       are you embarassed?

childhood wounds
i expect others
to heal

a childish youth
her small hand
pulls me out

dua lipa: on              we're levitating

i squat
in hope
of a dump truck ass

head on his shoulder
we miss
our stop

kissing you through the phone
the way soulja boy
intended

your last name
on a sweatshirt you gave me
as close as we can get       for now

Old Westerns

I always wondered why you enjoyed watching westerns so much. I knew you were awake from the sound of gunslinging cowboys and the jingling of spurs. The muffled voices from the old microphones films used to use. You used to watch soap operas and gospel, but it faded out after pawpaw passed. Maybe the westerns made you feel connected to him, I know they were always his preferred choice of media. I came into your house for the first time and was met with silence. Cold and unwelcome. Empty. Everything in boxes. No welcoming hug or kiss. No fake gunfire, no horses galloping. I knew I would be met with this fate eventually, but I never imagined it would be so soon.

channel surfing
i pause longer
on the western channel