Part Two of the Haikulodeon's Year-End Review.  The Best of your comments in haiku form. 

Thanks to all for such a wonderful assortment of haikus.

 

****

 

 

Talking with strangers
seeing I did not get it
let me know my size.
 

moat

---

Let me know my size,
but please keep in mind that I'm
constantly stretching.

 

barefooted

 

---

 

inside his wallet
a five-spot making the rounds
scotch, with a beer back

 

Oxy Mora

---

 

Inside his wallet
was a lonely place to live,
Single sawbuck sighs.

MrSmith1

---

 

In between the lines
was a lonely place to live ...
so she used crayons.

 
barefooted

---

 

In between the lines,
she'd written stage directions.
Smart understudy.

MrSmith1

---

 

In between her lines
she practiced for the next one
"Hark, a noise yonder"

 

Oxy Mora

 

---

Hark! A noise yonder
echoes through the dark of night
Gather the horses!
 

MrSmith1

 

---

inside his wallet
a five-spot plans its escape
"the usual, Flo"

 

Oxy Mora

---

The usual flow
receives the usual ebb ...
The moon rules the tides.

MrSmith1

---

 

They are so so pure
They smell so so very nice
They are without sin

There is purity
This new babe will be middle
A fetus decides

Surrounded by girls
This time it might be a boy
Daddy loves his girls

It might be a boy
Mommy feels a 'difference'.
A boy lies within

No sonogram yet
But Daddy loves his babies
And yet I shall pray

Watching families
Develop before my eyes
I feel there is hope

Watching these children
Develop with parents who care
Gives me so much hope

Richard Day

---

 

Many a great man
has been brought low by the smell
of baby powder.

MrSmith1

---

 

She was just a child
when an angry world destroyed
her innocent glow.

Cynical and hard,
she fought back against questions
that would plague her dreams.

As the years collapsed
into desperate struggles,
life began to change.

Quietly, she learned.
With steadfast resolve, she grew.
She was worth the time.

barefooted

---

 

I gave you my heart.
You only wanted my seeds;
Flash of waxy rind.

 

moat

---

 

I gave you my heart ...
even though its sweetness died
a watery death.

 

barefooted

---

 

I gave you my heart
and now my blood is pooling.
Form follows function.

MrSmith1

---

I gave you my heart.
Tuck it in your shirtwaist and
gaze at it often.

MrSmith1

---

 

I sent my baby
A birthday card for her First
Singing telegram

I wrote her my take
You will soon find out that you
Are the middle child

And that's just okay
But you shall always
Be in the middle of my

Heart, my heart will be
With you, and always
One year is a mark

Time goes on and on and on
Time goes and I love this girl

Richard Day

---

 

She's hurting tonight.
The brother she loves is lost
inside homelessness.

But it's too simple,
too innocent to say he's
washed inside the dark.

He walks his own path,
finds a way to make her laugh;
even as he cries.

barefooted

---

 

Wouldn't it be nice
If we could step back just once
From now to back then

All the adult fears
worries and complications
turned back to a game.

Once it was "play right"
And all we had to risk was
Losing or be spanked.

Wouldn't it be nice
To face the world with support -
"Mommy, I'm so scared..."

Blood is thicker than
Water, and sticks around all
These tough, trying years.

PeraclesPlease

---

She knows through her tears
the brother she loves is lost
in a haze of drugs.

feeling so helpless
is bewildering to her
she's been strong so long.

Devastated by
her own ineffectiveness
she sits, not moving

She cries for him now
and later for herself for
she knows he is lost.

lost until and / or
if ever her brother finds
the path back to Life.

 

MrSmith1

---

he said I love you
in a yellow subtitle
so, how does she know?

Oxy Mora

---

Keith Partridge singz it
Shirley Jones plays tambourine
Yellow feathers coo

PeraclesPlease

 

---

 

Shirley Jones could sing
without help from Partridges ...
or that stupid bus.
 

MrSmith1

---

Sometimes she would lead
Sometimes she would sing backup
Danny did the drugs.

PeraclesPlease

---
 

'cuz a woman's heart's
intuitive; subtler
than a sub-title.

 

MrSmith1

 

---

Constitution Day
the date Ramona arrived,
as well as myself.

 
Oxy Mora

 

---

Strict interpretists
Birthed on Constitution Day.
Original intent?

 

PeraclesPlease

---

 

Who ya callin' strict?
A living Constitution
aches with growing pains.

barefooted

---

People trying to
form a more perfect union
must work together.

Providing for our
domestic tranquility
ain't no game of jacks.

MrSmith1

---

Stripped contortionists
Constitutionally blocked -
Philly bustier? Ding...

 

PeraclesPlease

---

Striped contortionists
On the other hand, often
are quite encouraged.

MrSmith1

A leotard change its
stripes? spotted the diff'rence right
away. Some G-string.

PeraclesPlease

---

 

All the Amendments?
Yes, we were making stuff up.
The ad reads like this:

   Serial monogamist
   seeking a perfect union.

moat

---

A bill of rights ad?
"Serial monogram-ist
must love acronyms."
      ( USA, NATO, FEMA,
       FBI,  FDIC )

MrSmith1

---

 

Juicy strawberries ...
covered in melted goodness ...
healthy chocolate?

Call it what you will,
decadent sin or pleasure,
but who really cares?
    …life is about the mixture
    that creates the perfect blend.

barefooted

---

 

Moistened, red petals
softly lifted toward the sun ...
asking for its kiss.

 

barefooted

---

 

The fire is on fire
until the fuel runs out
and it burns itself.

   Bank the coals like a jail bird
   evading the search party.

 
moat

 

---

 

tanka haiku:

When you decide to
give a flame a hot-foot, you're
fighting fire with fire.

    but 'til the fuel runs out, you'll
    not remember which ember.

MrSmith1

---

 

 

Heat is compounded
by the confusion of flame,
and it burns itself.

    Seek a measure of moisture
    chilled by the secure snowbank.

barefooted

---

 

I was in trouble.
When she removed her diphthong,
mah face cawt fie-yer.
 

moat

---

 

Conflagration is
the conflation of flame with
oxygen compounds.
   Except, of course, hydrogen,
   which will rain on your parade.

MrSmith1

---

 

Shattered, broken bones
dance between the memories
of pain and pageant,

all the while feeling
the necessity to live,
even as they die.

    
barefooted

---

 

Sometimes it's over.
Sometimes it doesn't implore
an explanation.

Because it's limping.
Because it needs to be shot
to bleed an answer.

 
barefooted

---

It was a good day,
he wanted to give up but
decided not to.

Oxy Mora

---

Spilling onto the
wooden deck behind the house,
wild purple asters.

 
MrSmith1

 

---

Love is like Monday.
It takes up what was laid down
and draws you back in.

    The steps are new and awkward.
    Echoes off old walls warn me.

What kind of lover
comes to the doo wop party
wearing bell bottoms?

 
---

Yes, there is nectar.
But your beak need not explore
each flower that blooms.

moat

---

 

If I were so right
How can I remain so left?
I am not so right

I am not so right
Because I find myself here
not so right I guess.

 

Richard Day

---

 

Oak leaves were falling
A north breeze swirled around
We stacked the firewood.

 

Oxy Mora

---
 

We stacked the firewood
then trudged through the mud to the
hen-house to get eggs.

MrSmith1

 
---

 

An oak tree was felled
Split firewood took the first breath
Fresh and sweet, what's this?

Oxy Mora

---

 

Pardon, sir, but that
bag doesn't seem to quite fit
the look of your suit.

barefooted

---

 

Pardon, sir, will that
knapsack make Hackensack or
even hobo kin?

 

Oxy Mora

 

---

 

Latest job attire.
Bernie Sanders won it all
Down-sized Goldman Sacks

 

Oxy Mora

---

 

If Justice is blind,
the service comes at a cost;
The scale must be held.

Power is a thing,
with properties and essence:
Like something you touch.

I want to kiss you.
Your glance repels and welcomes.
Love is not easy.

moat

---

 

Though Justice is blind,
the all-seeing eye takes note
of our transgressions.

Give glory to God
in all you do or speak, keep
His word within reach.

 

 MrSmith1

 ---

If life were easy
Anyone could do it see?
Justice is not blind

We must really see
Who the participants are
And also hear them

Blind justice is bad
We need judges who will see
The bad from the good.

(I get a kick out of this)
I think I am stuck in Mobile

Richard Day

---

Stuck in a mobile?
call Alexander Calder
and he'll get you out.

MrSmith1
 

---

 

Blind means impartial.
The fold of cloth applies some
pressure on the wound.

moat

 

---

 

Blind also means a
place from which you can shoot ducks.
Mallard lives matter.

 
MrSmith1

 

---

 

I want to lie down,
just like a cat, no good thoughts,
no plans, no regrets.

Oxy Mora

 

---

 

I dug a well deep
well, I can dig deeply if
I really want to.

 
Oxy Mora

 

---

 

I dug a well deep
until I reached the surface.
So much in between.

 

barefooted

 

---

I dug a well deep,
so deep I became unwell
be well, stay shallow

MrSmith1

 

---

 

Red hair, a black cat,
green as the spot to slumber.
Blind relaxation.

barefooted

 

---

There was a black cat
It was a very dark knight
I didn't see it

A Guy Called LULU

 

---

 

With her 'familiar'
The red-haired witch dreams fondly
Of Halloween night

 

flowerchild

---

 

Hags hoard hellish heaps.
Goblins gobble glucose globs.
Toothless trolls trade tolls.

    Such a night of ceaseless fright,
    Tells me: Floss that overbite.

moat

---

 

I heard that he whored
a herd in a hoard, which ain't
hard for hordes to hear.

 
 
MrSmith1

 

---

Looking for room mates,
females only, no smoking,
thorns need not apply.

 
Oxy Mora

---

Looking for room-mate;
Garden apartment / low rent
No dogs. Must like pink.

 
MrSmith1

---

As generations
bloom, we must always prepare
for new arrivals.

barefooted

----

 

Sometimes while sleeping,
reality hijacks dreams
and specifies fear.

    Waking leaves us shaken, but
    often fortunately stirred.

barefooted

---

Sometimes while sleeping
I visit alternate worlds
to try other lives.

   I often wake with a start,
   but seldom with a finish.

 MrSmith1

---

 

Stirred, but not shaken
is possibly the best way
to describe solace.

barefooted

---

 

But shaken, not stirred,
is what WILL get you to a
Quantum of Solace.

MrSmith1

---

 

It's time to bed down.
Honey, did you bring the tent?
No, I thought you did.

Forget everything
Stretch this moment forever
life is a sunset.

Oxy Mora

---

Some of us question,
others find their certainty.
In the end, we're awed.

barefooted

---

First, we hemmed and hawed,
Then, we understood; we're flawed,
In the end, we're awed.

 

MrSmith1

---

First, we hemmed and hawed,
but eventually let
go and just guffawed.

 

barefooted

 

---

Dillied and dallied,
til the damn bowling alley'd
Opened, then we played

PeraclesPlease

---

Roundly applauded -
with however you called it,
must have spelled relief.

Rambunctious laughter
Leaves one smitten with rapture,
Feels draining after.

PeraclesPlease

---

The masthead beckons
Us mere haiku acolytes -
Should we be beacons?

But don't just shout "Gawd!",
as comes out a trifle odd,
a bit overwrought.

Heidi and her goats,
Haiku yodel-ay-ee-hoo,
hike the mountain path.

PeraclesPlease

---

 

Japanese bombing
Cut short lovers' honeymoon -
Most inauspicious

American bombing
Cut short war in Pacific
Was it terrific?

PeraclesPlease

---

 

American bombing
Horrific or terrific
depends where you stood..
 

MrSmith1

 

---

 

I feel like a seed.
Floating, drifting, drying up.
It must be autumn.

Then I find winter.
Chilled, yet hydrated I grow.
A secretive sprout.

What's this? Is it spring?
Allow me to lose myself.
There's just so much dirt.

I gave it my all.
Dying, drooping, summer heat ...
'til they start again.

barefooted

---

I have never heard
It just aint right until now
It just wasn't right

Low down cryin' shame
It surely was never right
What it is you did!

This is delightful
The dark is always 'fore dawn
ANTICIPATION

 
Richard Day

---

 

I saw the shadow
when the light was behind me:
Dark thing advancing.

moat

---

I saw the shadow;
paralyzed with doubt and fear
I recognized me.

 

barefooted

---

Line up excludes me.
So I do not qualify:
A person at large.

 

moat

---

A person at large.
Line me up; disqualified.
Seeking a homeland.

barefooted
 

---

A person at large,
escapes their hum-drum routine
enjoying small things.
 

MrSmith1

 

---

I saw the Shadow ...
weeds of crime bear bitter fruit,
Evil lurks in men.

 

MrSmith1

---
 

Will this be the night?
She turned to me, lips parted,
"You seen a green flash?"
 

Oxy Mora

---

Will this be the night?
Well, the sun IS setting ... and
lights are coming on.

MrSmith1

---

It seems so soothing
when beauty consumes you 'til
another day dawns.

    Then again, repetition.
    Obviously tomorrow.

barefooted

---

 

Blizzards began here
On the nineteenth of this month
Snow everywhere

Thought Purgatory
Was someplace in Wyoming
But it is right here

I am bad enough
Or not good enough to be
In Purgatory

Richard Day

---

 

A celebration!
Well, still in the making, but
soon to be new born.

    Is a promise forever?
    It's a fam'ly Thanksgiving!

barefooted

---

Twins came at same time
As Thanksgiving Day that year
Two turkey oven.

 

PeraclesPlease

---

A wonderful year;
no doubt filled with all the shit
true love can provide.

barefooted

---

On the bleakest day,
There is still, in our hearts a
Chance for thanksgiving.

MrSmith1

---

We're all still waiting
for the new to reach the old ...
and for baby, too.

Operator, please!
Long distance information
is sorely needed.

A mother and child
are sleeping in peaceful bliss.
There is nothing more.

 

barefooted

---

 

A rooftop fiddle
plays as street music rumbles ...
racism endures.

barefooted

---

 

Racism does not
endure, it is always on
the verge of dying.
   Good people will always be
   the enemy of hatred.

A rooftop fiddle,
balanced precariously
still plays, 'Tradition'.

 
MrSmith1

---

 

Sunrise meets sunset,
balanced precariously.
Tradition changes.

barefooted

---

 

Where there's tradition,
there's pride for the way one lives
L'Chaim ... To Life!

MrSmith1
 

---

It's far too simple
to avoid what is unknown;
best to embrace it.

barefooted

---

 

To avoid what is
unknown is to stop asking
questions.  Keep learning.

Life is a question
Our quest for knowing is the
path on which we walk
 

MrSmith1

---

Life is a question
that doesn't always depend
upon whom it asks.

    Most of the time, we find the
    answers are debatable.

barefooted

---

What are you in for?"
Multiple counts of haiku.
"A life sentence then?"

Great expectations
lash the sailor to the mast
or steer towards the rocks.

 moat

---

 

What are you in for?
Involuntary haiku ...
Ahh, forced perspective.

MrSmith1

---

Maybe words themselves
are wrapped up in the power;
like small magicians.

moat

---

 

Outside conditions,
when driven by a beat of
seventeen drums, roar.

barefooted

---

 

Drums snare our foot steps,
lifting knees, bracing shoulders;
What a strange parade!

moat

---

Lifting and bracing,
we walk along our parade ...
and choose the drummer.

barefooted

---

 

Like small magicians,
words wield power creating
subtle illusions.

 
MrSmith1

---

 

Subtle illusions
differentiate the dream
from the heartfelt life ...

    both require innocence;
    neither one a conclusion.

barefooted

---

 

At Eight after Ten
she decided to turn him
up to Eleven.

barefooted

---

Skinny legs hold up
the curious bystanders ...
what's up over there?

barefooted

---

 

Thanks to all for a wonderful year of haiku banter.  See you next week!

 

*****