Pine Needle

by Christine Nelson, DeVar Dahl, Michael Dylan Welch, David Ash, Merilyn Peruniak, Inge Uhlemann, Vicki McCullough, Alice Frampton, Karen Sohne, Jessica Tremblay, Helen Baker, and Marshall Hryciuk


Published in Haiku Canada Review 3:2, October 2009, pages 43–47. Begun 10:30 p.m., 17 May 2009 at the Haiku Canada weekend in Vancouver, British Columbia, and completed at 2:15 a.m. on 18 May 2009, led by Marshall Hryciuk.



last year’s

pine needles

arced in the new grass Christine


earthworms moving

across the sidewalk DeVar


third date—

my feet suddenly remember

the steps to the dance Michael


on the last day of apple-picking

a cool breeze David


stars all around

I dip my paddle

in the moon Merilyn


the smell of matsutake

all through the house Inge


empty rest area—

a rip through the face

of the most-wanted poster Michael


trying to get closer

I lend him my sister’s phone Lin


a vodka shot

for every girl he bum-grabbed

stale taxi home Vicki


ice-cubes floating

in my bath tub Alice


her bridesmaids

stop fanning her

as the veil is pinned David


the reading of the will

in Spanish Michael


caught

the kitten

with the rosary beads Karen


if Gretzky is coming

we call them “The Firebirds” Lin


swine flu

does the bacon taste a little off DeVar


cleaning out the barn

seeds in the manure Christine


under the trees

lovers picnic

a haze of forget-me-nots Karen


at the return of Jessica

his heart thaws David


mountain summit

a man-made

water fountain Jessica


40 below zero

I ignore my scratchy underwear Christine


calling mom

to lift the head

of the snowman Jessica


a week to Christmas

icicles dipped in sugar dye Michael


thanks for the tip sweetie Christine


the taste of strawberries

on your tongue Michael


slow-dancing to “Telstar”

the diner lights

spark Vicki


eclipse

his sunglasses on and off Jessica


underground river

hell hounds strain

against the light Vicki


Woden’s day

what are we meant to do? Karen


upside-down plumber

hanging by his belt

waxing crescent David


the imprint of leaves

in wet cement Michael


only my face is stiff Lin


by the back of his head

I knew him in Moose Jaw Helen


morning birdsong

passes with the clouds

mist mixed with rain Marshall


tadpoles’ legs

front and back DeVar


forgetting the combination

to the garden shed . . .

drifting blossoms Michael


wheeling three horses

for the win Vicki