haiku do not come
to me quite as readily || as they once used to
At work, we’re doing “Pixtober”—a prompt a day to encourage creativity. My coworkers have shared paintings, 3D renders, and music compositions. I’ve been sharing haiku. While I’m not writing 10+ a day like I used to, I’m grateful for the nudge to write even a little every day. I’ll share those at the end of the month.
Below are haiku I’ve written between the end of May and today, and they are alphabetical within sections.
For a soundtrack, a song from Matt Maeson’s recent live solo album, which has been on repeat. I discovered him when I was in college, at the height of simultaneously grappling with PTSD and depression, and his angsty singing style and tackling of taboo topics helped carry me through. Perhaps it’s odd to have such intense music be so comforting to me, but it touches a special place.
intertwined
a small olive branch
outstretched from my hand withers
from your disregard
-
as you look outward
remember that we are here
to celebrate you
-
i would say we’re friends
but we don’t have a friendship
wouldn’t you agree?
-
topics: forbidden
between all others but us
our little secret
interiority
after i awoke
a fully-formed melody
spilled out from my dreams
-
as i moved through life
i’ve been treble, but i would
much rather be bass
-
blood curdling scream
tore from me once the others
had driven away
-
blood slides down my throat
metallic tinge subtly
envelops my tongue
-
i have felt saddened
to discover that my drive
has dissipated
-
if i think too much
of this custard’s decadence
i may start weeping
-
i’m oscillating
between self-assuredness
quiet diffidence
-
it hits me in waves
i relish the mundane that
i’m going to lose
exteriority
bass rattles my seat
vibrations radiating
through my whole being
-
bucketfuls of mint
grace the bar in front of me
delighting my nose
-
creek water rumbles
as it flows over the stones
natural white noise
-
did anyone else
see the subtle flickering
of lights overhead?
-
faux plants drape on lamps
creating the illusion
of life underground
-
flickering candles
adorn the wooden bar top
soft glow, emitted
-
forgot my charger
will need to be strategic
with device usage
-
juniper, citrus
balance matcha’s bitterness
with acidity
-
misaligned fractals
lifeless stems narrowly miss
the variegations
-
the october heat
draws out the sweat from my pores
continuously
-
the vegan hot dog
has no spring when you touch it
it’s that overcooked
