Haiku Series 15

1.
dried ink from squid
on the dirty oak counter
sushi for dinner

2.
several grains of rice
in the bottom of the pot
no leftovers.

3.
mother in red
cleaning the chopsticks
scalding water.

4.
saki
fine crystal
sleep.

5.
menanite in grey
a white apron
stale sourdough rolls

6.
a blond sits
on a prayer mat
eyes closed.

7.
Father recites poems
and smokes grandfather's good pipe
no brandy.

8.
a blond laughs
singing happy birthday
eyes open.

9.
ink stains in oak
mother can't remove them
the squid is gone though.

10.
father's stomach growls
and he asks about leftovers
mother shuts her eyes.

11.
no zen
the pantry is too small
a mouse skitters by

12.
an opal brooch
pewter twisted around;
menanite adorned.

13.
"gutendag frau"
enscribed on the beech tree
a blond sighs.

14.
father sighs
the knife is blunt
the bark tough.

15.
father shuts his eyes
and sits on the grass mat
no wasabe left.

16.
mother in grey
with an opal brooch
nana remembered.

17.
father admires her
brooch and cooking
"gutenmorgen frau"

18.
a blond smiles
'guten morgen herr Schtemple'
apron on the floor

19.
the old knife
etches into the counter
"How Now Frau?"

20.
a blond cackles
no brandy
no sushi.

21.
father puts down pipe
and poetry
fingers beech etching.

22.
mother's eyes shut
in meditation
father cries.