Clarity
Vievee Francis

Sorrow, O Sorrow moves like a loose flock
of blackbirds sweeping over the metal roofs, over the birches,
     and the miles.
One wave after another, then another, then the sudden
      opening

where the feathered swirl, illumined by the dusk, parts to reveal

the weeping heart of all things.

(Vievee Francis is the author of four books of poetry. She teaches
poetry and poetics at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire.)

barmy March drive
a couple of swallow frolic in the air
magically veering collision

near the tilled wheat field
the lone haystack, still robust
Jackalope Hill

a couple of duck argue
in the river with the melting ice
sun-glitter on the ducks

©Byung A. Fallgren

Spring Haiku

Mother's reminder
fast approaching global warming
with balmy March

family reunion
some reptilians plan to gather
shedding the old skin

©Byung A. Fallgren

 

The Flowery Pajamas

I got it on sale, flash at a glance
but lovely on second look
with the busy pattern of Burgandy flowers
and green leaves. Even a faint scent, an imagination?
You say it's gaudy, I say fantastic; a world of flowery language
that sooths mind, pull you in the soft world
of sleep. Sleepy sleep.
The mirrored image not bad; the bookish 
old lady turned to...well, a silly party girl
in the story book.

Fall asleep to meet a sleep angel.
Alas! The usual nightmare demon?
O such a grin, I have never seen;
"Why not little fun?" whispers.

Which is better, jagged shard,
or squirmy worm?
Neither does good for the sleep world.

Awake in the wee hour, change the
pajamas, throw into the box, almost.
Wear them more often,

and snore more.  

©Byung A. Fallgren

Carefree Moment

Now and then, we resort our favorite 
observation point

to clarify the thoughts that tend to
scatter away like petals in the wind

today, we even forgot why we were here
enchanted by the song of the pastel clouds

might as well be a carefree soul for the day

©Byung A. Fallgren