Friendship

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

from my book,
Haiku and Tanka Harvest

friends forever
sharing love and laughter
on Valentine's day

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 

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

Another friend's death

(for Dani Aguila)

a gentle breeze
nudges the last leaf
another friend's death
the weight of years
in eagle's nest

cartoon clouds cover
the October sky
friend's funeral


Dani of Nashville, Tennessee is a reknowned cartoonist and writer.
He is a generous and loving friend with an endearing sense
of humor. Memorial service on Monday, October 4, 2010.

Birthday

surrounded
and embraced with love
by family and friends
what more can I ask
for my birthday

Haiku Friendship

Taken at Pasadena, CA last month, February 19, 2010 at the SCHSG's hosting of the Haiku Society of America meeting.

Friend's Death

a hummingbird
follows the falling leaf
my friend’s untimely death

The Heron’s Nest
Vol. XI, No. 4, December 2009

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

Sketchbook: a Journal for Eastern and Western Short Forms,
Vol. 4, No. 4, July/August 2009

Death of a friend

This week is the second year of the death anniversary of Maria, our YMCA friend.

I was vacationing in Hawaii when she died. When I came back, Joyce, our mutual friend, told me of the sad news. Here's a poem I wrote about her passing.


The Three of Us

diverse cultures                                     
different backgrounds                            
all over the world                               
that’s where we came from                  
all kindred souls                                 
the three of us                                     

we banter and exchange jokes             
as I always tease Joyce            
for her hip gyrating moves                 
while Maria and I prefer            
cha cha, tango or salsa            
the three of us                            

I owe you a lunch date Maria            
you and Joyce dressed for the occasion
sadly I was not able to come           
for whatever valid or not reason      
we could have had a ball                 
the three of us    

Joyce, the baby
is an English woman
I am a Filipino, the man
the lovable Maria
is our amiga Latina
the three of us

we look after each other
check whereabouts if one’s not in
solicitous of each welfare
we are a happy go lucky bunch
exercising at YMCA
the three of us

rest in peace Maria
Joyce and I will miss you
we’ll cherish your memories
of a time when friendship
is all that really matters for
the three of us

24 July 2006