Crows Return
by Marshall Hryciuk, Claudia Coutu Radmore, Michael Dylan Welch, Hans Jongman, Margot Gallant, Karen Sohne, Merilyn Peruniak, LeRoy Gorman, Christine Nelson, Philomene Kocher, Melanie Noll, Terry Ann Carter, and DeVar Dahl
Published in Haiku Canada Review 4:1, February 2010, pages 35–38. Begun 10:45 p.m., 16 May 2008 at the Haiku Canada weekend in Ottawa, Ontario, and completed at 1:05 a.m. on 17 May 2008, led by Marshall Hryciuk. My “lightning” verse was incorrectly printed with “the startled mouse” instead of “the startled moose.”
two years away
crows
perched on the verandah Marshall
the first click
of marble on marble Claudia
the candle melted
into itself
my book unfinished Michael
on the burlap sack
faint smell of potatoes Hans
the cat
whiter still
by moonlight Margot
tree shadows
across the kitchen floor Karen
too much Mr. Clean
the dachshund
spinning his wheels Michael
i stop trying to change him Merilyn
rolling off the righteous
rain warming LeRoy
her bathing suit
rides up
and has sand in it Christine
watching him
watch someone else Philomene
only half-formed thoughts
not written
in time Melanie
mantel clock stopped
before the ball drops Karen
the eyes of a child
sparkle
in the Mayor’s amulet Hans
tin soldiers all in a row Terry Ann
flashlights slowing
smelt in the shallows Philomene
calla lilies
the young bride
changes her dress DeVar
this way and that
the still-wet foal Michael
ex cathedra
the pope says
we can believe in aliens Claudia
Alberta vote—
working dogs round up the sheep DeVar
the snowshoer’s tracks
disappear in the distance—
forgotten birthday Michael
the burnt-out bulbs
on the women’s shelter
windows fogged Terry Ann
who needs
the view? LeRoy
the smell of her
still in his beard Melanie
“i got ‘mammed’”
oh, some young bastard
at the parking lot Marshall
blackberries
black out Hans
counting the moons
in the puddles
my toddler Michael
cul-de-sac
sunlight a-twitter Hans
lightning
lightning
the startled moose Michael
killing frost DeVar
she swirls
her drink
as he talks Christine
a bus of seniors
arrives at the casino Karen
she repaints
her bedroom
robin’s egg blue Terry Ann
earth through worm
to earth Claudia
dead or sleeping?
the old retriever
with blossoms in his fur LeRoy
between the clouds
stars and a satellite Christine