Haiku #6

Bare branches hang low 

heavy with fat buds that seem 

reluctant to bloom. 

Unraveling

You’ve only been gone four days

but I already feel myself 

unraveling 

without you. 

Leap

We are all allowed 

one leap of faith 

one reckless decision 

one act of sheer rebellion 

in this life, right? 

I’m ready to cash mine in. 

Flames

I walk furiously 

toward the sunset 

like I’m not running late for class

like that fiery star in the distance 

is my destination 

and that I’ll get there 

soon 

to be baptised by flames 

and be born again. 

Haze

Like a stubborn bride

the sky refuses to lift 

her thin white veil. 

How am I meant to wake up 

and live like the living 

when the whole city 

is suspended in a dreamlike haze? 

Bethel

A roomful of hungry hearts 

tender for the touch

of something holy. 

We wait 

with arms raised 

for a floodlike love 

to wash us, carry us, 

and set us loose 

from this dark place 

this joyless race 

into everlasting light. 

Friday

As I walk off the week 

on a Friday night 

I look around and try 

to suck beauty

like sap

from the still-dead trees  

of winter 

Today

I just want to 

vomit up 

my rotten heart 

and ask the Lord 

for a new one. 

Blues

These are not 

the beautiful kind 

of blues. 

Hunger

With every day that passes

I more keenly feel

the pains of this chasm 

stretching deeper and wider  

starving 

for something 

to satisfy it.