From HNA Conference AnthologiesIt has been my privilege to edit and design all of the anthologies for the biennial Haiku North America conferences, an event I cofounded in 1991, and to publish each of these books with my press, Press Here. The following are selections of my poems from these anthologies, including a new poem for the 2015 anthology, Fire in the Treetops, that celebrated HNA’s twenty-fifth anniversary. For sample poems by numerous other contributors to these anthologies, see the Books page. You can also see photos of the 2009 conference that took place in Ottawa, Ontario, in album one, album two, and album three. Also see photos from the 2011 conference in Seattle, Washington in albums one, two, three, four, and five.
old folks’ home— the square of light crosses the room
low summer sun— the shadow of an earring on your cheek
landing swallow— the ship’s chain dips slightly
summer solstice— a rack full of hats at the barbershop
sidewalk sale— a corner bent over in the used paperback
spring thaw— the old scarecrow a little taller
afternoon hike— the pussy willows dwindling from my handful there, under the awning, the man who stole my parking space
fading sunset— still the shine on high-tension wires
Valentine’s Day— a few clicks of the swans’ beaks
a show of hands in the jury room . . . winter light a hand sticking out from the balcony below . . . small rain pumpkin weigh-in . . . the judge’s motion to lift off hands
wood walk— I catch the cobwebs that miss my son end of the year— the swing’s muddy underside reflected in a puddle +
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