earthrise rolling haiku collaboration 2020 year of the nurse · earthrise rolling haiku...
TRANSCRIPT
EarthRise Rolling Haiku Collaboration 2020
Year of the Nurse
Seed Poem:
its ghostly cry falls from the sky, invisible skylark — William J. Higginson
from “Lunar New Year,” a renku by William J. Higginson, Elizabeth Searle Lamb, and Penny Harter, published in Elizabeth Searle Lamb’s Across the Windharp (1999)
Poems appear in order posted.Poems in response to poems other than
the seed poem appear below andto the right of the inspiring poem.
her eyes and soft voiceI see Florence nightingale Radhamani Sarma
soilsíonn diasan uile ní —sa víreas féin
in all thingsgod’s radiance —in the virus itself Gabriel Rosentock
theatre assistantalways ready to mopa patient’s brow Robert Kingston
nurse stationa round of applausefor the virus survivor Robert Kingston
morning fogDad tells the nursehe had a good night Barbara Tate
Sunriseblinds thenight nurse Tom Trowbridge
my niece declaresshe’s found her calling —first 16 hour shift Bona M. Santon
nurses stationpatients in wheelchairsleaning to one side Amy Losak
countless babiesdelivered by lantern lightcountry midwife Edna Beers
cherry blossomthe tired lookof a nurse Nikolay Grankin
first snowi call a nurseto look at it Nikolay Grankin
nasal pre medthe staff nursepunctures the moon Robert Kingston
dawni heard granny’s songfrom the nurse Nikolay Grankin
registrara blue mask hidesdeep dimples Erin Castaldi
shooting starthe night nurse namesmy newborn ‘hope’ Agus Laulana Sunjaya
her needle piercingstraight sunbeam of smile-on my face Radhamani Saarma
newborn’s first crysoft delicate touchof nurse’s hand Radhamani Sarma
retired nurse each night she fluffs the cat bed Louise Viera
Eleven is an Even Number: The Covid Chronicles
different windowsthe movement of the sunaround confinement
house arrestthe plague runnerenters our breath
friendly catits owners becomethe front line
street applausewe recognise our heroesare nurses under fire
birthday cardsin their protective casingthe evening shudders
blinkered suntwo metres translatedin wrong numbers
nightzoningstreetlights pick outthe sputum
Easter Quarantinethe daylight sparkles acrossyet another nail
Easter SundayI fill another hollowwith antiseptic
Easter Internmentmoonlight carries a warningacross my backyard
new day rising—I spread the butterand talk to my egg
Alan Summers, weird laburnum
in ICU roomshealth care workers give their all—know that we see you Clysta Seney
seeing their facesas she tries to sleepin a hotel bed Debbie Scheving
sex of newbornfirst from the mouthof nurse Radhamani Sarma
breakingmy reflectionirises in the window Rich Schilling
beginning a shift..he leaves the scentof clorox Nancy Brady
someone’s someoneworking without a mask M. R. Defibaugh
COVID-19 chaos—the nurse activatesher CALM face Corine Timmer
spring duties-nursing newcomers with loveday after day Luisa Santoro
where angels darea ward full of nurseswithout PPE Robert Kingston
somewhere betweenwakefulness and sleepthe nurse’s smile Vandana Parashar
one inevery other familyand thankful for them
pacing themselveswithout any sleephealth professionals
dawnacknowledgingthe shift change MIchael Henry Lee
night dutyshe puts someone else’sbaby to sleep Vandana Parashar
low moodthe mental health nursetold no-one Tim Gardiner
applause at lastmother was a nursefor forty years Tm Gardiner
some are born to inspire others … Florence Nightingale Natalia Kuznetsova
attending to meon my sick bedshe became my wife Adjei Agyei-Baah
what are the oddsa joke with the nursethat I might die
note: I had a procedure that had 1 in 200 chance that I could die, so I asked if I was number 199. Nurses have a terrific sense of humour!
Alan Summers
the elderlyappreciate her smile andher warm touch Kanjini Devi
closing the front doorshe takes off her maskwaning moon Anna Maris
a retired nurse –the new day erasesall the memories of her Tomislav Maretić
spring rainthe chemo nursecalls me Bill Bill Kenney
dawn lighta nurse’s shadowcrosses the threshold Joanna Ashwell
the elderly baskin the glowof her warm smile Kanjini Devi
nurses discusstheir favorite restaurantsthe smell of latex John S Green
her gentleness—as if he was a papermaple shedding bark Ernesto P. Santiago
hospital doorsthe comings and goingsof a winters day
post opthe warmthin the nurse’s hand
post opa warm smilefrom the ward cleaner Robert Kingston
optimal care—the nurse’s shavingsmooth as glass
distressamong nurses—full moon Ernesto P. Santiago
yellow fever…seeking the dark nurseof immunity Patrick Sweeney
long hoursshort on sleepanother body
each recoveryephemeral Joyas many die
bruised facegivingkind eyes Jason Freeman
discharge dayhalf empty at the nurse stationa box of milk tray
admissions dayhow time changesthe nurses uniform
remembering whenslap and tickle was partof a nurses day
first shiftthe rattle of bed pansin the sluice roomkind eyes Robert Kingston
shift changea full complement of staffdissipates
unit nurselosing count of how many timesI say ouch Robert Kingston
gently cleaning her crevicesrolling her bodyas if still breathing
venting in the lunch roomair blue withhumanity
I hold her handthat squeezes minewith a smile
taught never to runit alarms the otherresidents
handoverfrom the harriedto the fresh and clean Nancy Liddle
leaving the nursehis fortunechildless tycoon patsy turner
nurse grandmotherwe say mammary glandsinstead of boobies Kristen Lindquist
torrential downpourher twelve hour shiftgoes on and on Barbara Kaufmann
morning chillthe warm voiceof the nurse
the nurse enterswith a bright smilelavender blooms Billy Antonio
lifting patientsuntil she became onewindblown tree Katrina Lehmann
on to the firewithout a hosetoday’s nurses
mid-eveningthe nurse’s re-stapled maskleaves an opened cut
sharing a ventthe nurse and hiscovid-19 patient wendy c, bialek
nurse’s day offserging new face masksfrom fat quarters wendy c. bialek
winter freeze the nurse tucks me in Bruce H. Feingold
she saves them allin her dreams –wild violets robyn brooks
endoscopy-in a cauldron of eyeshe swallows his pride
blood testa new shade of palein the braggarts face Robert Kingston
midnight shift–a nurse pauses tospread blanket over a patient
daisy smile–a nurse’s stethoscope listeningto a child’s heartbeat
a visit frommy nurse blottingthe blue of hay fever
consultation–a nurse’s sweet voice healingmy doubts Neelam Dadhwal
nurses’ strikedoctors’ dilemmaends how Radhamani Sarma
nursing home—nurses are familyand funeral directors wendy c. bialek
midnight shift–a nurse pauses tospread blanket over a patient
daisy smile–a nurse’s stethoscope listeningto a child’s heartbeat
a visit frommy nurse blottingthe blue of hay fever
consultation–a nurse’s sweet voice healingmy doubts Neelam Dadhwal
unable to distancehow nurses becomepart of the curve
even when it’s offthe nurse’s maskstill feels on
in the midst of covid-19 —nurses becomefuneral directors wendy c. bialek
fingers of godmy emergency nursehas monk’s ears Marietta McGregor, publ. Blithe Spirit, August 2018
jaundice moonthe nurse’s comforting wordsmy first night
PPE shortageshandwashingwith gloves on
bruised tissue“you’ve hands of an angel,” she saysas I inject Claire Vogel-Camargo
shooting star —the palliative care nursefetches pethidine Marietta McGregor, publ. Cattails Senryu Section, September 2015
park ave…..strong nurses bring patientsto refrigerator trucks wendy c. bialek
another hospitalnamed for a nursewho washed her hands Marietta McGregor
During the Crimean War, Florence Nightingale was instrumental in introducing basic hygiene practices in hospitals. She is honoured today.https://theconversation.com/florence-nightingale-a-pioneer-of-hand-washing-and-hygiene-for-health-134270Prince Charles opens the Nightingale Hospital in London.https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-52150598
after pandemicwho will treatthe nurses’ ptsd wendy c. bialek
twilight owlswatch overmalignant pigs
through tall buildingsclapping for angelsin human form
a Stetsonfor the secretaryspouting PPE lies
clappingfor Our NHSrounds on green ears
cowboys have funbut Indians they makebetter doctors
when the chips are downit takes a nurseto will you round again Robert Kingston
when the chips are downball gowns are no substitutefor scrubs
hospital corridorhow these walls talkin the hours of darkness
proning …my first thought?poppies as far as eye Robert Kingston
excruciating painthe midnight nurse soothesme in a voice like mom’s
as in surrendermy limp hand in hersnurse at dawn takes my pulse
crisp in whitethe nurse breezes ina bad dream ends
covering a yawnnurse coaxes me to sit upfacing the sun Alegria Imperial
a nightingale singing through the night shift
between shiftsthe student nursesnatches some sleep
always a nurse:my Pilates instructorvolunteers Mark Gilbert
nursethe sorrowbehind the mask Marilyn Ashbaugh
somewhere betweenwakefulness and sleepthe nurse’s smile Bandana Parashar
her touch of the curtainthe morning light streams in
just a secondof passing out, the handsof a nurse Adjei Agyei- Baah
end of night shiftshe draws the curtainsto the sun-light peaks Sonam Chhoki
blossom viewingaglow on a nurse stationscreen saver Michael Henry Lee
coming tothe nurse’s smileand a cup of tea
children’s wardhe moonwalksthe medication trolley Sonam Chhoki
hospital car parkwhere her red Honda used to begleam of hoar frost Sonam Chhoki
ICU nursethe chapped lipsunder the mask Anna Maria Domburg-Sancristoforo
ICUthe same nurse welcomes meback to life
gloomy daythe nurses headscarvesin clowns Vessislava Savova
end of night shift ~all nurses send a selfieto their loved ones…
he cries for prayers ~he sleeps for 24 hoursafter 5 weeks’ shift…
The 95 year’ old ladyhowls at the caring nurse ~no visits allowed Brinda
cloud break moonbehind the maskthe nurse’s kind eyes john hawkhead
reflections in glassghosts of usstill in the world Patricia Hawkhead pouring rainthe nurse slowsthe IV drip Billy Antonio
isolation wardthe nurse’s gloved handin a dying palm Marta Chocilowska
Those who mop floorsas those who mop brows fulfilan essential role.
No evidence ofcompassion in politics.Manufactured words. Oonah V Joslin
through rising windowmany– more than dreamsbirds in her eyes Mónica Margaride
the scuba diverswith masks and oxygen tanksswim with the nurse sharks
butterfly tattooon the nurse’s handwings open and close Sari Grandstaff
labor and deliverythe nurse voicesmy pain Tia Haynes
school nurse’s officestudent with low-grade feverwaits for test results Sari Grandstaff
hospital gardena nurse picks upa tiny forget me not Eufemia Griffo
summer meadow the nurse’s blue eyes behind her mask Marion Clarke
for the nurse who has lost her smell origami rose Sonam Chhoki
night nursegently she wakes me upwith pills in her hand Madhuri Pillai
her touch on my child’s forehead as gentle as mine Marion Clarke
took me years to stop sayingmy brother-in-lawis a male nurse Sari Grandstaff
hospital windowa woman singsa lullaby for her child Eufemia Griffo
stretching my legsaround the corridor and back …she holds my hand Madhuri Pillai
Cocooned tight, soft voicePours the salve of compassionDespite dimming light Lisa Demiralp
Compassionate eyesConvey caring and concernAbove facial masks Laura Murphy
the dead of nightthe nurse rests her cheekon the palm of hand Marta Chocilowska
disturbed sleep . . . the nurse reliving her mistakes Stella Pierides
night shift the desk nurse writes herself into the injury book Robert Kingston
New Corona virus—new midwife’s and new mother’seyes meet, over their masks Mary
clapping for her –the nurse takes the wrongturning Stella Pierides
“Houseparty”four of her patients diedduring her last shift Frank J. Tassone
SEED POEM-haiku sequence-Motto:where culture begins – a rustic rice – planting songMatsuo BASHO
sowing wordsto the appropriate wheya book comes to light
sowing ricethe young farmer humsan ancient song
sowing cornbehind the farmerhungry crows
green wheat fieldin the purple twilightwaving slowly
the blue eyesof the wheat field;two chicories
end of the field –a new lit way forthe harvest sanctified
bringing offerunder the icon of Virgin Marya crown of wheat ears
drinking togethera cup of sake in the honorof new harvest Vasile Moldovan
another shiftour niece recyclesanother mask Frank J. Tassone
first almond blossomsshe rearranges his pillowfor a better view Sonam Chhoki
finishing touches some roses for the patient with no visitors Marion Clarke
this cold in my bones my mind wanders unknown places Eufemia Griffo
practicing squatsfor core strength –ambulance nurse Stella Pierides
a nursewalks into a bar. . .someday Ben Teal
finishing touchessome roses for the patientwith no visitors Marion Clarke
christmas eveshe leaves for her night shiftmy sister the nurse Vanessa Proctor
faceless womenmorning and eveningon rubber soles
night without silence …the blinding lightin the infirmary
tiredpractically bare handsnurse Margherita Ptericcione
nightingale —a heart keeps singingto the darkness Lucia Fontana
lady of the lamp how her heart weeps from the inside Robert Kingston
familiar tune how a nurse humming can help Marion Clarke
start of shiftshe washes her handsof the rising fear Topher Dykes
above the maskonly his eyesnaked Jill Whalen
infections doublingthe nursereuses her mask Laurie Greer
end of shift the nurse drives home in tears Marion Clarke
playground swinghow his nurse mother’s heart beatsin two places Robert Kingston
mom’s nursing pin years after she died still in my drawer Marita Gargiulo
beehive hair do her retro pin doubles as a nursing pin Robert Kingston
first pregnancysuddenly interested in her storiesfrom midwifery Marion Clarke
monochrome photo my midwife auntie tells me I was her first Robert Kingston
maternity ward the midwife’s Irish accent makes me feel at home Marion Clarke
first pregnancy all ears for Mum’s tales from her midwifery days Marion Clarke
midnight run my mother on call delivers a baby Bona M. Santos
dying at home —the nurse yells with her handsfor his photograph Eddy Lee
above my bedblue hazemy nurse’s eyes S.M. Kozubek
spring snowfall —the nurse pullsthe crash cart Giovanna Restuccia
PPEthe nurse’s FB photo postedby her proud mama
all eyeson the young male nursefemale geriatric ward Marion Clarke
end of his shift the new male nurse sighs all around Sonam Chhoki
ooh, matron words the doctor never said Tim Gardiner
fever dreamson the nurse’s facetears
touchof a butterfly wingher cool hand
iron workerhe apologizes againfor being sick
home at lastdon’t kiss mommynurse whispers
in scrubs and masks the new caped defenders Peggy Hale Bilbro
another shift over…who takes careof the carers carol jones
simple kindnesshow the nurse helps herto walk again
adjusting pillowsbefore the night spreadshis final round
great aunt Fayethe bell in her voicestill ringing
flowering tulipsretelling the storyhow she survived
back from the sheltershe names her new catafter the nurse
deep gratitudewhen nothing is expectedrainbow windows Xenia Tran
last breath . . .a nurse turns mothertoward the light
pandemicthe beak she wearson her mask
empty womb . . .a nightingale comforts methrough the night Debbie Strange
distant starI wonder about my school friendwho studied nursing Marion Clarke
hospital windowa trail of dew drawsmy thoughts Eufemia Griffo, Otata, Sept. 2018
nursesnursingnurses kjmunro
rainbow-coloured scrubsfor the performance poetcancer nurse Marion Clarke For Cathy
dischargedthe smile of a nursetakes me home Adjei Agyei-Baah
hospice carehe calls the nursemama Terri Hale French
covering the body while weeping over her mask Lorraine Padden
20 hour shiftthe nurse cries from fear& desperation Pamela A. Babusci
care home…her frequent fallshis strong muscles Stella Pierides
nursed to her endquestions remainwho killed the bat? Robert Kingston
nearing the endof a chaotic shiftstill the love Helen Buckingham
dawn’s sickly light her hand warm her eyes welcome Barbara Boyd Anderson
dad’s nurse as if he were her dad’s Marion Clarke
the long dark nights the struggle to live you were there Barbara Boyd Anderson
everyday job death wish such an ask Marion Clarke
perched on the loowhile a nurse holds my drip:my inner kid in stitches Helen Buckingham, Pulse, 13th September 2019
catheter leak her ability to console me with a wink Marion Clarke
a girlin nurses’ uniform –the smiles Stella Pierides
neo natalif only one might havebeen hers Michael Henry Lee
maternity ward for a little while her child Marion Clarke
front line an angel in a plastic garbage bag Gary Hittmeyer
night watch dad determined never to leave us
hospital video callhe tells me I love youin every languages Eufemio Griffo
past midnightafter comforting the dyingshe returns to me Ron C. Moss
Quietly checkingOn sleeping patients’ vitalsA gentle, soft touch Laura Murphy
everything feels safeshe places a face maskon her nurse doll wendy c. bialek
mask peeled offlonged-for morning coffeehours after midnight Marietta McGregor
holding it inthe double duty nurseconserves ppe wendy c. bialek
little thought for what the nurse carries home . . . Robert Kingston
nurselineshe keeps talking with me’til my nosebleed stops wendy c. bialek
she holds her tearsuntil no one can seeher strength under pressure Linda L Ludwig
how the nurse on the phoneempowers me—my first child’s seizure
compassion fatigue no bed deep enough wendy c. bialek
only a nursedescribes snowfalls betterthan a poet Dan Campbell
Balm of Gileadwanting so to healher raw hands Liz Ann Winkler
night shifther crisp packetcarries the ward
corridor painting…the nurse from the wardasks if We’d like tea
grabbingdaylight starsshe tells usit’s normal Robert Kingston
first lightnight nurses coffeecold in the cups carol jones
lip service… each nurse knows the power of words Robert Kingston
night closes in … knowing what to say and when to carol jones
hospital bedside enough silence to hear a pin drop Robert Kingston
Thursday 8pm — a mass applaud to raise the spirits carol jones
Seaman’s hospitalblacked out windowsin the waiting hall Robert Kingston
sequestered in a hotela tired nurse messagesher own feet
it’s a kind of magicnurses handlinghot pies
end of shiftthe old nurse leaves her smilewith the new nurse Rashmi VeSa
accustomedto her wail- nurse injectssedatives Radhamani sarma
lady of the lamphow her heart weepsfrom the inside
ringing out the wavesa ferry blastsfor carers
rings of hopein the ferry’s wakefor carers Robert Kingston
nurse’s lullabyliftingthe morning mist cezar-florin ciobîcă
urologythe nurse asksif I’m married
hospital loungeon the radionothing else matters Pere Risteski
off dutythe blue lights they seein their dreams
home visit nurseextra to her workloadunflinching care Ingrid Baluchi
twilight thickensinto the cry of a babyshooting stars
i.m. Mary Agyeiwaa Agyapong Alan Summers
NOTE: Mary Agyeiwaa Agyapong is a British nurse who worked and died on the wards despite being nine months pregnant.
Emergency roomnurses still remembermy Batman underwear Dan Campbell
breaking downon the hospital stepsa nurse’s intentions Brendon Kent
the thermometerlonger in her mouththe chatty patient Sonam Chhoki
hailstones–her soft glanceon my wound
falling leaf–the nurse replacesvase water
milky moon her whiteness over the tired eyes
nursing home greeting with the first smile Pravat Kumar Padhy
behind closed curtainsclosingher unseeing eyes
long shiftlonger stillthe drive home Sonam Chhoki
nurses knowan economical foldtoilet paper Judith Hishikawa
nurses’ scarred facesin intensive carethe shape of their mask
wild pansies …the nursing staffs’war-torn faces
worn on the chestof whoever it isthe nurse’s face
PPE shortage …the nurse with the patientholds her breath Brendon Kent
into the darknessof my hospital roomthe night nurse Victor Ortiz
waiting for her replacerwho never came, nursestarts a second shift Adjei Agyei-Baah
long hours shiftspizza carton boxes piled upin the nurse office
diagnosisthe nurse at the doordries my tears Marina Bellini
third miscarriagethe nurse’s advice:“Be kind to yourself!” Sonam Chhoki
it’s a spider nightwe huddle under starssurveilling us Alan Summers
discharge summarythe nurse’s patience goesunmentioned Rashmi VeSa
giving hope –the warmth in thenurses voice Carol Raisfeld
dawn a nurse lights two candles Bernadette O’Reilly
the first raindropshit the pond and hepops the question
their faces reflectedin the pond’sintersecting ripples Laurie Greer
two dollar raisebut no PPEexpendable Ruth Powell
Red Cross nurse —a tourniquet fashionedfrom the surrender flag Jim Kacian, Heiwa Peace Haiku 1993 Judge’s Prize
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moonless nightthe slow wing beatsof a barn owl — Maureen Sexton
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early spring walka blue fairywren hopsthrough the grass — Maureen Sexton
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mauled lambthe distant harshnessof a crow’s caw — Maureen Sexton
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sea frothwhite cockatoos flyingin a cloudless sky — Maureen Sexton
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lighthouse climba seagull strugglesagainst the windCreatrix Haiku Journal #27 — Maureen Sexton
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birdsongthe comfortin caws — Shrikaanth Krishnamurthy Blithe Spirit 26.3
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spring drumming the sparrows out of this world — Shrikaanth Krishnamurthy https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Pests_Campaign
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gold rush . . .sparrows tumble outof our eaves — Shrikaanth Krishnamurthy
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shining cuckoo in transparent absence — Hansha Teki
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a tuichimes descant toits shadow — Hansha Teki
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a twitter of insignificance from the cygnet — Hansha Teki
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cold moona crow shifts intoits shadow — Brendon Kent Blithe Spirit 26.1
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rooftop pecking order shuffling apostrophes — Brendon Kent Under the Basho 2015, Yanty’s Butterfly Anthology 2016
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turning crowsthe distance smokesa yellow tractor — Brendon Kent Sonic Boom 3, Yanty’s Butterfly Anthology 2016, Re:Virals 2018
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our argument…a robin in the birdbathbreaking ice — Brendon Kent Blithe Spirit 27.1, Under the Basho 2017
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darkeningthe crow’s weight…winter deepens — Brendon Kent European Quarterly Kukai 2017
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colouringa leafless bough…robinsong — Brendon Kent Blithe Spirit 26.1
origami skyhow you fold cloudsinto starlings — Brendon Kent Haiku Vol.2 anthology 2017, Haiku University (Tokyo)
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banditry of titmicethe longtails fleetingthrough the air — Alan Summers
“banditry” is a collective noun for titmice http://www.moorhen.me.uk/iodsubject/birds_-_other_tits_02.htm
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backroom chatter…hedge sparrows voicingthe world’s concerns — Alan Summers
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backroom banter…house sparrows solvingour world’s problems — Alan Summers
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hotel coffee room––starlings sounding outthe partitions — Alan Summers
dark newsthe comfortof crows — Alan Summers tinywords 15.1
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hard frost-the snail-hammeringsof a song thrush — Alan Summers Muttering Thunder 1
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dark fieldstightly the vee of birds into pockets of forest — Alan Summers otata 11
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cool morningbirdsonglight on a distant cloud — Alan Summers Modern Haiku 1999
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thirteen waysto wear a pencil skirt . . .the blackbird’s outline — Alan Summers Brass Bell August 2014
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train whistle
a blackbird hops
along its notes — Alan Summers Presence 47, THF Per Diem (September 2012): The Elements
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powdered snow –a crow’s eyes abovethe no parking sign — Alan Summers Haiku International Association Haiku Contest 1999
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a teaspoon of spicecrows bottle the wind in cawsand then release it — Alan Summers Yamadera Bashō Memorial Museum English Haiku Contest 2016
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Invisible crowthe lebanon tree uttersa call of three caws — Alan Summers Only One Kagoshima Tree Haiku Contest 2015
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night crowsthe haystacks losetheir moonlight — Alan Summers Haiku 2016
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corn moonthe jackdaw shiftsits iris — Alan SummersbAsahi Shimbun (International Haiku Day 2015)
царевична луначавката помръдваирис
Bulgarian translation Maya Lyubenova, Tzetzka Ilieva, Vessislava Savova
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in and out of lavateragang of hedge sparrowsto the birdfeeder — Alan Summers Blithe Spirit 7.3
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little sparrowI regret nothingflowers in the wind — Alan Summers haijinx IV.1
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summer winda sparrow re-rights itselfat the peanut cage — Alan Summers Wing Beats: British Birds in Haiku; Haiku Friends Vol. 3; Inking Bitterns http://area17.blogspot.co.uk/2010/03/summer-wind-sparrow-haiku-artwork-haiku.html
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all the demonsare in mourningsparrowsong — Alan Summers
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turn in the weather . . .a house sparrow singslike buddha — Alan Summers Amaravati Poetic Prism 2016
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steamy windowsthe spiral of sparrowsacross our shadows — Alan Summers hedgerow 111
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dead sparrowhow light the eveningcomes to a close — Alan Summers Haiku Canada Review 11.2
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fading photosa goldfinch tugs againat the spiderweb — Alan Summers Blithe Spirit
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lapwingsrounding up cloudsleft in the water — Alan Summers A Splash of Water
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Easter Sundaya For Sale sign leansinto birdsong — Alan Summers tinywords 16.1
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zigzagging…the meadow buttercupsinto a robin’s song — Alan Summers Blithe Spirit
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skittish cloudsthe lightning treegrows a crow — Alan Summers Presence 56
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The Thoughtful Ravenafter Ted Hughes, and Kurt Jackson
The raven grows out of swift strokes in a moment of midnight:
Corvid, sublingual, in sixty-five vocalisations of its kind,
from worms to whales; battlefield and gibbet;
to an excarnation platform; the raven’s thought of food is foremost.
The requiem bird is a shark of the wind.
the fox’s barkfor a momentafter echoes
There are stars and stars and starsand the raven thoughtful in its field.
The bird is glossed in purple, green and blue,its call blunt with primary colour; wind and rain; and hourglass grains
escaping
cemetary stonedigger bees emergefrom letters
as stars lose focus in morning light God is in the detail of ripples of silenceinside the caw
a knuckle in blue jeans rippedwhile a smell of white forms out of granular dark
the writer is chugging inkfrom a forearm to fingers to nib, the raven is done for the night.
rabbit duskgoldfinches vibrateacross teasels
— Alan Summers Blithe Spirit 26.4 The New English Verse: An International Anthology of Poetry (2017)
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an owl’s empirethe flecks of lightin snow — Alan Summers Presence 59
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broken boatsthe coastline taggedwith shearwaters — Alan Summers Presence 56
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this small ache and all the rain too robinsong — Alan Summers Modern Haiku 44.1 naad anunaad: an anthology of contemporary international haiku, 2016
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Westie, all snow-peakEars and tail, the beat ofSwan’s wings on water — Peter Cox
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first lightthe falcon leapsinto its wings — Chad Lee Robinson Mariposa 35
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from my balconya bird’s eye view of birds — Robyn Corum
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Coda:
one songwoven of many voicesthe flock — Jim Kacian