Job hunting

he picks up
a half-empty soda
left on the curb
another day
of job hunting

Sketchbook, Vol. 6, No. 1
Jan/Feb. 2011

Moving out

freeway drizzle
he helps his only daughter
move out

The Heron’s Nest
Vol. XII, No. 3, Sept 2010

Widower

the widower explains
to his visiting son
why he chopped their shade tree
twice there, he drawls
I tried to hang myself

Modern English Tanka
Vol. 3, No. 3, Spring 2009

Friendship poem

my neighbor mows
the grassy edges
of my unkempt lawn
in the shade I try to write
this friendship poem

Sketchbook, Vol. 4, No. 4,
July/August 2009

Death anniversary

my daughter and I place
her mom's favorite flowers
on her grave
this eighth anniversary
of her passing

Daughter's vacation

end of summer
our daughter’s vacation
gets shorter each year

The Heron’s Nest
Vol. XIII, No. 1
March 2011

Hiroshima day

For Betty Kaplan

end of spring
the wilted flower
in her garden

the faded echoes
of her footsteps

In memory of Betty Kaplan, a fellow haijin and poet, who passed away last month. You'll be missed!

Wings of prayer

wings of prayer
brimmed with well-wishes
stream across cyberspace
bringing Svetlana
love, hope and cheer

Children's soccer

children’s soccer
their parents fight in the stands
the game goes on

Sketchbook, Vol. 5, No. 4
July/August 2010