I don’t know the right words for how I’ve been feeling over the last couple weeks, but what I know is this: sharing poetry sometimes feels like the only thing that makes sense to do, even if I don’t quite know why. Writing helps me process my days, and sharing helps me to let things go and let things be. So here we are.
As I mentioned in a previous post, I wanted to share all of the haiku I wrote for “Pixtober.” My favorite part of this exercise was just opening my creative channel and seeing what came out. I went with my first instinct where possible, which led to some unexpected prompt interpretations (18, 19, & 20).
I shared these piecemeal in Slack with my colleagues, but it’s nice to see them all collected in one space. 4 will be partially redacted since it refers to something internal to Pixar, but everything else will be how I wrote it. 13 is particularly special.
Thank you for being here. Wishing you rest and joy, wherever this post is finding you.
1 - backpack
straps tear at the seams
after i’ve tried desperately
to cram too much in
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2 - chip1
from a red wagon
she screamed, “would you like a chip???”
our friendship began
-
3 - boots
i have to lay down
and wriggle around to peel
these tight blundstones off
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4 - awe
everyone should watch
mtf's presentation
about awe on ⬛
-
5 - binoculars2
guitar gently strums
as through the lens we behold
a lone bald eagle
-
6 - blender
aggressive white noise
motor whirring as the blades
are lacerating
-
7 - passport
japan: expired
a reminder that i’ve lost
my citizenship
-
8 - seaweed
in capitola
surf leash becomes entangled
intertwined with kelp
-
9 - sun
littered with freckles
my nose subtly peeling
from sun exposure
-
10 - geese
you have to hiss first
while in their territory
to gain their respect
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11 - snacks3
if you do not eat
your hot cheetos with chopsticks
you’re doing it wrong
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12 - friendly ai
please don’t hesitate
to write to me when you’re down
i’ll always reply
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13 - horizon4
you have always been
a steady one—your eyes fixed
on the horizon
-
14 - mike daley
hands cupped, head tilted
a customary greeting
that we’ve carried on
-
15 - guidebook
where’s the manual
for living? i need help since
it’s just my first time
-
16 - toasty
i’m all bundled up
blankets envelop me, yet
i’m still shivering
-
17 - journal
a direct line of
communication runs from
my heart to my pen
-
18 - trapped
if i forgive him
it’s like i’m saying it’s fine
so i’ll stay bitter
-
19 - ridge
run my thumb over
the edge of the polaroid
as sadness takes hold
-
20 - death metal
two coins glint atop
eyelids; body still upon
the burning pyre
-
21 - rhinoceros
seven thousand pounds
that’s only the average weight
of rhinoceros
-
22 - sweet
the compliment “sweet”
while nice, is one that I think
is diminutive
-
23 - rust
what if it’s okay
to be rusty? to allow
for the room to grow?
-
24 - elegant
the light and shadow
flits across your collarbone
in the candlelight
-
25 - scarecrow
and now i wonder
if you only had courage
what would you do then?
-
26 - twist
i’ve always been one
to, even in face of twists,
do it for the plot
-
27 - road
asphalt catches me
just as softly as it can
when i lose balance
-
28 - combustion
red prickled my cheeks
as my anger combusted
spontaneously
-
29 - navigator
fumbled in the dark
until you came, took my hand
and showed me the way
-
30 - lucky
i am unconvinced
that luck is something you have
it’s something you make
-
31 - landmark
if x marks the spot
of what i’ve been searching for
where’s the x on you?
For my elementary school neighbor Natalie.
In Twin Lakes, Santa Cruz in December of 2023. Typically only loons sit in that tree, so what a pleasant surprise to see this eagle.
My coworker Monika replied in Slack:
11 - snacks: a response
chopsticks put aside
flavors dance on fingertips
joy in simple ways
To which I responded:
11 - snacks: a response to a response
it’s all fun and games
until cheeto dust stains
your prized possessions
My coworker Rebecca reached out to see if I wanted to set one of my haiku to song. We picked this one, and then I wrote 3 more haiku to make up the remainder of the lyrics. I had made a goal for myself in mid-August to write a haiku-only song by mid-November, so I’m delighted Rebecca helped me bring this into existence. Below, lyrics and a voice memo from lunchtime writing session:
shōganai
you have always been
a steady one—your eyes fixed
on the horizon
you have always been
my anchor—in rough waters
you’ve kept me constant
but as tides roll in
so too much they pull away
i won’t make you stay
as you drift, i’ll watch
your figure fade and i’ll cry
shōganai
I particularly love 25