Summer Haiku Meet

by Naomi Beth Wakan

Shadows of layered kimono

and the distant sound of geta

as we assorted poets

shuffle to our deck chairs.

Grape leaves shade and dapple us

and varied sweet peas

perfume the corners.

The haiku hang on sheets

of newsprint as we poets

tear, shred and reconstruct them,

chirping with delight

at our cleverness and subtlety.

The robins call out also,

reminding us, in our hubris,

that our orchard, veggie patch,

and Yes! the haiku deck itself

really belong entirely to them.

From Gardening, Toronto: Bevalia Press, 2007.