haiku7

beach house -
unlocking the gate
to the ocean


                                                      ginko
                                                      pelicans skim the waves
                                                      in groups of 5-7-5


in and out
of the haiku lesson -
the fragrance of the lilies

haiku6

sweltering heat
the ice popping
in the Kool-Aid


                                           raking the Zen garden
                                           at the beach house


vineyard verandah -
we sit listening
to the grapes grow


                                           virgin winter
                                           she wears white
                                           to bed


she draws violets
with purple pencils
in between her toes


                                            moss
                                            on redwood trunks -
                                            my son's new beard

haiku5

petals
of the red poppy
rip in the wind


                                                      surgery center
                                                      leaving parts of me behind


open window
the moon's reflection
in the toilet bowl


                                                      tucked deep
                                                      in lingerie
                                                      a lavender sachet


sipping rose wine
in the bubble bath
a misty moon

haiku4

cobwebs
in the corners
of his eyes


                                              oak barrel
                                              sweet peas spilling
                                              into the bar


jazz music
moth shadows dance
on the living room wall


                                               jogging at dusk
                                               around the neighborhood
                                               the smell of garlic

Cider Scent

The neighbors' Christmas lights dance around their bushes, front porches, and entryways. The full moon shines through the trees. Everyone is indoors. The street lies empty.

I park the car. Enter the house. Throw off my shoes. Look inside the refrigerator and stare. Pop a frozen dinner in the microwave. Go to my room. Open the window.

across the street
the bougainvillea flashes
on and off

The microwave buzzer goes off. Sort through the mail while eating dinner. Bills, store catalogs, a Christmas card addressed in gold letters. Rip it open.

season's greetings
from the mortgage company

Turn on the TV. Flip channels. Nothing but news, Christmas shows and commercials. Check the answering machine. Two messages, one from the cleaners, the other from the dentist's office.

bubble bath
spiking the water
with apple cider scent

Wrap myself in flannel pajamas. Take the catalogs and some chamomile tea to bed. The cat emerges from the closet and joins me on the bed.

train whistle
growing louder
into the night