haiku Challenge

These are the poems I've written for #haikuChallenge. The word of the day must be incorporated into the haiku.
You can find my other haiku here:

Consider -- Sep 25
consider daisies ~ loves you or she loves you not ~ spring or autumn

Pleasure -- Sep 24
quiet autumn morn ~ breeze wafts over tangled limbs ~ while she pleasures me

Eager -- Sep 23
eager renewal ~ battling through a shroud of rain ~ vernal equinox

Style -- Sep 22
style is subjective ~ green mountain or snow white ~ lovely in either

Tomorrow -- Sep 21
tomorrow ~ unfolds in your mouth ~ labial flower
it takes much patience ~ to wait until tomorrow ~ my hair on the floor
revel in today ~ tomorrow is far away ~ lost in hazy mist 

Force -- Sep 20
she ignored him ~ a winter wind blew in ~ he forced a smile
shortage of water ~ forces an early harvest ~ birds reaping insects

Shop -- Sep 19
the harvest moon helps ~ get the crops in --- and you can ~ shop until you drop

Proud -- Sep 18
sharing your passions ~ a harvest of altruism ~ I'm so proud of you

Rip -- Sep 16
drowning ~ in a sea of stars ~ rip tide

Good -- Sep 15
blowing fart sounds ~ on a good baby's belly ~ delighted giggles

Lake -- Sep 14

mirrored lake ~ my reflection ~ takes a dip

mirrored water ~ mountains ~ dive into the lake

Thousand -- Sep 13
summer slowly fades ~ into softer days --- thousands ~ of suns light the night

Hungry -- Sep 10
tail twitching ~ the hungry cat stalked ~ a blood moon

Fish -- Sep 9
quiet garden pond ~ goldfish lazily swimming ~ practicing tai chi

Thoughtful -- Sep 7
thoughtful reminder ~ writing a twitter hashtag ~ can set off fireworks

Joy -- Sep 6
life became joyful ~ when she sauntered by --- happy ~ makes my heart blossom

Call -- Sep 5
the call of the wild ~ roaring like a waterfall ~ quiet as a mouse

Rent -- Sep 1
September morning ~ living in this hothouse ~ rent free

Stop -- Aug 31
in clear deep water ~ your fading reflection ~ stop the memories

Infect -- Aug 30
he was infected --- ~ an overwhelming desire ~ for cherry cheesecake

Wicked -- Aug 29
Halloween ahead ~ something wicked this way comes ~ witches and black cats!

Don't -- Aug 28
a beach umbrella ~ don't forget sunscreen lotion ~ cancer is a bitch

Private -- Aug 27
warm summer breezes ~ naked with you --- whispering ~ our private longings

Salt -- Aug 26
salt on a sunburn ~ the pain of her parting --- no ~ solace for the soul

Fog -- Aug 24
creeping fog ~ my memory ~ as I age

Bare -- Aug 23
bare bones ~ scarcity stalks ~ a withered moor
she looked back at me ~ and wagged her bare bottom ~ come hither wiggle

Climb -- Aug 22
ant climbs Mount Fuji ~ overcoming obstacles ~ defines character

Rage -- Aug 21
the rage in my soul ~ lays a levy on my bliss ~ I can't bare the load

Three -- Aug 20
ninety six degrees ~ at three in the afternoon ~ midsummer cool spell

Warm -- Aug 19
her warm velvet depths ~ drew him unrelentingly ~ --- billowing passion

Fever -- Aug 18
young women in shorts ~ afternoons in the sunshine ~ spring fever symptoms

Crowd -- Aug 17
the crowd wanted blood ~ the prizefighters knew it well ~ thin mist descended

Ride -- Aug 16
Texas thunderstorm ~ Pecos Bill rides a whirlwind ~ so the legend goes

Not -- Aug 15
a pine knot is not ~ a knotty problem --- 'gnarly' ~ said the valley girl

Justice -- Aug 14
naked appetite ~ quenched by a sudden shower ~ sexual justice
justice of the peace ~ married us for twenty bucks ~ got what we paid for

Scared -- Aug 13
the past rules her life ~ scared of making more mistakes ~ she reaps the same crops

Late -- Aug 12
the march hare was late ~ for an important date ~ Alice met the queen

Put -- Aug 11

my faded blanket / warms the new baby --- put the / gifts under the tree

 

Much -- Aug 10

much of midsummer ~ 'neath an air conditioner ~ joy of a cool breeze

 

About -- Aug 9

destiny's sharp teeth ~ nibbled at my fate --- forget ~ about the lotus

 

Original -- Aug 8

Eve tempted Adam ~ the original sinners ~ choices --- sow and reap

evil incarnate ~ the original portrait ~ hid in the attic

 

Make -- Aug 7

coolly virginal ~ exquisitely inviting ~ make me rapacious

 

Got -- Aug 6

the early bird ~ got the worm --- ~ I slept in

 

Always -- Aug 3

roar of a lion ~ thru eve's heat shimmered thorn trees ~ always Africa

 

Teach -- Aug 1

teach me how to give ~ love's sweet ruin --- after all ~ bare feet crush sand hearts

Journey -- Jul 28
the afternoon heat ~ pilgrim's journey delayed --- cool ~ shade is beckoning

Wonder -- Jul 27
I wonder at the ~ beauty of plum trees in bloom ~ her face in repose

Old Songs -- Jul 26
courtly lovers sing ~ troubadours old songs --- spooning ~ by a winter's fire

Left -- Jul 25
You left your voice ~ the sexy instrument that ~ makes my loins ache

Mad -- Jul 24
mad as the hatter ~ the red queen demanded that ~ Alice toe the line

Late -- Jul 23
single lost balloon ~ floats hither and yon --- late spring ~ winds confuse our course

Blood -- Jul 22
the warm blood coursing ~ I want --- hungry Dracula ~ in a clueless crowd

Unity -- Jul 21
summer vacation ~ our unity of purpose ~ fun under the sun

Carry -- Jul 20
she carries his heart ~ carelessly --- kitten toying ~ with a fledgling bird

Need -- Jul 19
I need you ~ you allow me ~ to need you

Carry -- Jul 17
she carries passion ~ in the reflecting pool that ~ is her limpid eyes

Look -- Jul 16
beautiful woman ~ brief glimpse of a lovely breast ~ look, then double take
temperature break ~ in the middle of July ~ look at all the smiles

Believe -- Jul 13
believe in magic ~ best to have faith in yourself ~ you are a wizard

Close -- Jul 12
blooms become heat waves ~ gone but never forgotten ~ close the book on spring

Pull -- Jul 3
the push-me pull-you ~ makes little forward progress --- weeding the garden

Promise -- Jul 2
the promise of rain ~ soaks parched earth --- eager face raised ~ to liquid heaven

Puny -- Jul 1
puny, timid frog ~ huddles 'neath a rose petal ~ fragrant sun shelter
their puny efforts ~ at reconciliation ~ like swimming upstream

Watch -- Jun 28
watch the days shorten ~ it gets hotter with less breeze ~ a stilled wind chime

Perfect -- Jun 27
her perfect passion ~ lies in flight --- and exhausted ~ from the exodus

Authority -- Jun 25
his authority ~ starts and ends at the gangplank ~ captain of his fate

Cover -- Jun 24
cold, dormant hillsides ~ wait for spring sun --- covered by ~ blankets of clover

Better -- Jun 23
better the devil ~ you know --- Lucifer curls up ~ in my lap and purrs

Please -- Jun 22
please the one you love ~ the rewards are evident ~ warmth of spring sunbeams

Attitude -- Jun 21
runt of the litter ~ believes herself a lioness ~ attitude is all

Check -- Jun 20
lazy day checkmarks ~ iced tea and book on a porch ~ to battle the heat
skinny dipping pond ~ no self consciousness allowed ~ check sizes shyly

Life -- Jun 19
life is here, with you ~ summer's heat, or winter's cold ~ your arms invite me

Ever -- Jun 18
ever or never ~ time determines which --- we are ~ kites in gusty winds

Rest -- Jun 17
war dead rest ~ quietly awaiting ~ the bugle's call
their love is real ~ the rest of his thinking is ~ murky intentions
still forest at dawn ~ rest broken by the echo ~ hungry woodpecker

Ready -- Jun 16
ready for the World Cup ~ Spurs have beat the Heat --- summer ~ begins on high notes

Sing -- Jun 15
echo of my youth ~ 'we sing a song of sixpence' ~ plays ad nauseum

Tremendous -- Jun 14

penning poetry ~ like navigating sea fog ~ tremendous challenge

Battle -- Jun 13
crows march back and forth ~ near the dying vole --- battle ~ of fear and hunger

Force -- Jun 12
like a force of will ~ the piano's hammers fell ~ music scented breeze

Hope -- Jun 11
hope is a good thing ~ never allow despair to ~ become your bugbear
hope for a nibble ~ bamboo pole dips in still pond ~ long, slow summer day

Delight -- Jun 10
cool May thunderstorms ~ turn into June heat lightning ~ delights of late spring

Chance -- Jun 9

chance favors the brave ~ a vole in the land of wolves ~ hazards the gauntlet

Control -- Jun 4
there is no control ~ where destiny is concerned ~ a kite in the wind

Favor -- Jun 3
I'm in favor ~ of the sunny flavor of ~ strawberry ice cream
favored by haunting ~ ghosts --- an autumn weariness ~ replaced spring rainbows

Think -- Jun 2
hunter's moon, late fall ~ with you and the Milky Way ~ I think of that night

Lose -- Jun 1
gain the summer heat ~ and lose spring's fresh green --- gone in ~ dusty shimmering

Relax -- May 31
relax on the porch ~ listen to Mockingbirds feud ~ --- melodically

Real -- May 30
spring evening was real ~ warmth of the day lingering ~ nightingale sings joy

Remember -- May 29
remembering snow ~ in the heat of late spring --- sad ~ closing the fireplace

Huge -- May 28
turgid, quickening ~ pulse when I think of you --- huge ~ mount sheds winter snow
You are huge, she said ~ looking down at my manhood ~ I wake with a start

Available -- May 27
when it comes to her ~ my soul is available ~ traitor to my heart
a hazy spring moon ~ is available for rent ~ with optional stars

Make -- May 26
fat, sassy critters ~ making hay while the sun shines ~ lengthening spring days

Silence -- May 25
my head on your breast ~ quiet tick of your heartbeat ~ all else is silence

Even -- May 24
a light in the east ~ sun breaks on the horizon ~ even as I write

Style -- May 23
her smile was her style ~ caught his heart at first glance --- the ~ wind captures a kite

Despite -- May 22
surveying my lands ~ the spring mountain looms above ~ despite my ego

Quick -- May 21
Memorial Day ~ remembrance of broken men ~ the quick and the dead

Few -- May 20
a few white blossoms ~ cling to scrawny dogwood trees ~ spring strives to hold on

Wish -- May 19
family gathers ~ so many missing --- making ~ such childish wishes

Home -- May 18
home always meant fear ~ my father's hand, drunken rage ~ another spring storm
home ~ is the next stop ~ on my pilgrimage

Between -- May 17
between the seasons ~ a moment of ecstasy ~ parting of her lips

Worst -- May 16
the lightning flickered ~ rumbling thunder --- worst storm in ~ recent memory

Empty -- May 15
an empty hope chest ~ but filled with promise --- pupa ~ becomes butterfly

Ready -- May 14
ready for the day ~ bundled in a macintosh ~ rain rolls off my cap

Short -- May 13
I was short, fun sized ~ he was long --- sunbeams may be ~ waves or particles

Best -- May 12
you were better than ~ the best of us --- memoir of ~ spring melancholy

Delicate -- May 11
patient as grim death ~ legs touching delicate web ~ widow waits --- then springs
her delicate wings ~ flutter gently as she drinks ~ monarch of insects!

Best -- May 10
the best I can give ~ is honesty and friendship ~ all else ... soap bubbles

Fall -- May 9
with a simple glimpse ~ I fall into lying eyes ~ lost in a red tide
I believe your lies ~ and I fall into your eyes ~ focus of your guise

Low -- May 8
lights of a city ~ far in the distance glows from ~ a low sea of clouds
cow in the pasture ~ lowing for her wayward calf ~ mothers everywhere

Open -- May 7
a balmy May breeze ~ one more warm spring and summer ~ an open door beckons

Eager -- May 6
the cool of late spring ~ forebodes the heat of summer ~ eager to stop clocks

Example -- May 5
lengthening days in ~ twister alley --- example ~ of looming chaos

Happen -- May 4
we happened on deer, ~ bucks in battle; antlers locked ~ in desperation

Body -- May 3
my shadow follows ~ in the lengthening days ~ a ghostly body

Choose -- May 2
choose heaven or hell ~ no such luck with rain or sun ~ mother nature's choice
warmth of a spring sun ~ through dogwood blossoms ... we choose ~ heaven over hell

Experience -- May 1
my experience ~ should confirm ... love crumbles 'tween ~ May and December

Wonderful -- April 30
her wonderful fingers ~ touched, then gone ... April vanished ~ into May Day warmth

Sorry for the lengthy disappearance...

Possible -- Mar 25
the March of time ~ made possible by August ~ seasonal turnings

Monster -- Mar 24
the monster in me ~ cries out to be set free ~ a squirming tadpole

Ransom -- Mar 23
heart held hostage ~ the ransom paid in tears ~ spring river floods

Cripple -- Mar 22
fighting off the wolves ~ is simple, unless you're ~ old and crippled

Alarm -- Mar 21
the alarm clock puts ~ her wet nose on mine and purrs ~ no more sleep today!

Stamina -- Mar 20
my get up and go ~ got up and went ~ bye bye stamina!

Reform -- Mar 18
I need reforming ~ or re-engineering ~ I'm so bland today

Green -- Mar 17
the Emerald Isle ~ celebrates its patron saint ~ with a coat of green

Frame -- Mar 16
photograph of you ~ in a gold leafed, antique frame ~ revisit heartache

Skin -- Mar 15

Buffalo Bill ~ sewed the skins of his victims ~ long dark scary night

Result -- Mar 14
result of free will ~ mass of imploding anger ~ or it could be gas

Note -- Mar 13
he played middle C ~ begin with the perfect note ~ cool as the March wind

Plan -- Mar 12

the kamikaze ~ brutally attacked Laffey ~ her plan ... survive

no plan is foolproof ~ and this was no exception ~ move the winter north

Saw -- Mar 11
an old saw says that ~ some people feel the spring rain ~ others just get wet.
light coating of oil ~ keeps rust from my crosscut saw ~ a file keeps it sharp

Duty -- Mar 10
his duty was clear ~ and a pleasure ... her burden ~ enjoy his service
'Once a Marine...' ~ duty, honor, country, corps ~ words to live by

Well -- Mar 9
we tossed a coin ~ in the wishing well ... praying ~ for a lifelong love
Timmy's in the well ~ Lassie howls at the full moon ~ father is confused!

Bar -- Mar 8
he did the pub crawl ~ each weekend ... a well known wolf ~ in every bar

Switch -- Mar 7
My dad used a switch ~ when he didn't use a belt ~ liked an apple twig

Gamble -- Mar 6
Yogi Bear gambled ~ no need for hibernation ~ picnic baskets rule!

Code -- Mar 5
enigma captured ~ and its codes ... beginning of ~ the Nazi winter

Mask -- Mar 4
hidden behind my ~ mask of doubt ... sleeping Buddha ~ frowns in his dreams.

Train -- Mar 3
the train goes choo choo ~ little children say ooh ooh ~ sowing fields of glee
my train of thought ~ the futility of dread ~ winter storms will come

Rumor -- Mar 2
long dark tropic nights ~ war and rumors of war ~ ... haunted memories

Schedule -- Mar 1
the schedule tweaked ~ March begins with warmth but ~ the forecast is cold

Mess -- Feb 28
storm after storm ~ blankets the northeast ~ messy white sheets

Barrier -- Feb 27
early spring passions ~ barrier to harmony ~ rivers overflow

Result -- Feb 26
winter storms train ~ across the entire northeast ~ result ... disaster

Measure -- Feb 25
measure twice, cut once ~ the carpenter's mantra ~ lumber scented breeze

Morning -- Feb 24
crisp winter morning ~ frost on breath mingles with ~ steam from the mug ~ hot coffee keeps me warm ~ invigorating

Trade -- Feb 23
baseball trading cards ~ we hoped for Honus Wagner ~ summer afternoons

Wisdom -- Feb 22
wisdom requires ~ patience and serenity ~ waiting for first buds

Shift -- Feb 21
a slight shift in time ~ and winter refused to end ~ my beard grew icy

Escape -- Feb 20
saw 'The Great Escape' ~ World War Two was so much fun ~ unless you lived it!
escape the mundane ~ the world is large and lovely ~ blossoms follow snow

Offer -- Feb 19
early spring offer ~ heavy coat in the morning ~ short sleeve afternoons

Rescue -- Feb 18
the rescued kitten ~ spent two days under the bed ~ plum buds peek out
you rescued my soul ~ my heart followed eagerly ~ filled with spring joy

Faint -- Feb 17
a faint breeze ... your ~ intimate scent wafts over ~ tranquil evening

Staple -- Feb 16
he lost his mittens ~ a staple of winter play ~ mom was furious

Novice -- Feb 15
she thought he was young ~ when she took him to her bed ~ he was no novice
practice makes perfect ~ the master to his novice ~ baked gingerbread men

Cheat -- Feb 14
frigid, windy day ~ in winter ... cheat the cold with ~ heavy coat and gloves

Package -- Feb 13
on delivery ~ the package was opened ... a ~ winter narcissus

Appetite -- Feb 12
your curves excite ~ my greedy appetite  ~ long winter nights
bean soup and cheddar ~ we eat by a warming fire ~ carnal appetite

Keep -- Feb 11
ahead the beauty ~ of untouched snow ... behind us ~ life keeps littering
waiting patiently ~ spring keeps dawdling ~ aimless snowfall

Plead -- Feb 10
the kindness of spring ~ and beauty of plum blossoms ~ plead with winter sun


Five -- Feb 9
five fingers, two hands ~ know your body completely ~ fire's glow warms my face

Nature -- Feb 8
My normal nature ~ sullen and morose ... I hide ~ behind this glad mask 

nature ~ by its very nature ~ is natural

Elude -- Feb 7
reaching for the moon ~ the child cannot quite grasp ~ dreams elude the light
Sol rules the daylight ~ humble moon eludes sun's gaze ~ struggles 'gainst the dark

Delicate -- Feb 6
the delicate wings ~ of a butterfly ... my hand ~ handy heliport

Last -- Feb 5
as February ~ stretches ahead, a last wish ~ to die in your arms

Down -- Feb 4
pillow fights blossom ~ down feathers fly ... lingering ~ snow drives kids crazy

Crush -- Feb 3
a crush of people ~ rush to and fro ... numbers warm ~ the depth of winter

Mishap -- Feb 2
icicle snaps ~ she sneers at my wounded heart ~ no mishap there

Bargain -- Feb 1
make a bargain with ~ Beelzebub ... wear short sleeves ~ in January

Appetite -- Jan 31
cozy comforts ~ bean soup and foot warmer ~ quenched appetites
an appetite for ~ adventure led to Marines ~ Asian tropic moon  

Reward -- Jan 30
alive in April ~ a reward for enduring ~ the dead of winter

Ghost -- Jan 29
cold as a witch's tit ~ on an antarctic glacier ~ ghostly vision

Surface -- Jan 28
the water skimmer ~ uses surface tension ~ Jesus bug
Alarm -- Jan 27
slammed it off ~ when the alarm rang ... dreaming ~ of warm sunshine

Trade -- Jan 26
the ivory trade ~ banned for decades ...barely slowed ~ elephant hunting

Value, Scrawny -- Jan 25
January has ~ some credit ... a scrawny cat ~ has value too!

Halting -- Jan 24
rain becomes ice as ~ roads get slick, tree limbs creak ... his ~ actions are halting

Frighten -- Jan 23
eerie sights and sounds ~ lightning strikes, thunder rumbles ~ frighten the children

Last -- Jan 22
last Mockingbird song ~ watching as she walks away ~ I feel life slipping

Double -- Jan 21
winter shortages ~ ache of desire and need ~ double trouble

Ahead -- Jan 20
May blossoms flourish ~ after winters fury ... the the worst is ahead

Winter -- Jan 19
desolate winter ~ long cold nights ... our bodies spooned ~ beneath heavy quilts

Attempt -- Jan 18
sun and clouds battle ... my ~ shadow attempts to follow ~ a fickle lover

Harsh -- Jan 17
the harsh north wind ~ makes a coward of desire ~ warm belly beats full

Nice -- Jan 16
winter has moments ~ of perfect beauty ... nice days ~ don't come often

Join -- Jan 15
'Join us, not them', the ~ poster bearer cried, from the ~ dark side of the moon.

Sigh -- Jan 14
she smiled, he sighed ~ winter days became warmer ~ incongruity

Zesty -- Jan 13
invigorating ~ zesty morning cold ... begin ~ my new diary

Magnificent -- Jan 12
touching her was a ~ magnificent obsession ~ banked fire of desire

Shaky -- Jan 11

shaky Jake was a ~ wanted man ... the lawyer said ~ he had married thrice

Mysterious -- Jan 10
how can life be ~ serious ... when winter is ~ so mysterious

Admit -- Jan 9
moon glow and starlight ~ favorite motion picture ~ admit only two

Conscious -- Jan 8
brand new calendar ~ conscious of past infamy ~ vow new beginnings!

Friction -- Jan 7
friction and accord ~ antonyms of agreement ~ like sun and cold

Assorted -- Jan 6
warm quilted clothes ~ heating assorted canned goods ~ veggie potpourri

Excellent -- Jan 5
excellent children ~ remarkable behavior ~ a mitten morning

String -- Jan 4
snowbound children watch ~ puppet dancing on its strings ~ imagination

Travel -- Jen 2
cold seeps into old ~ bones ... time secretes lethargy ~ winter travels end

News -- Jan 1
the news isn't good ~ father time got drunk ... the new ~ year starts with arrest

Observation -- Dec 31
an observation ~ life struggles to survive ~ the depth of winter

Bait -- Dec 30
stalker and his bait ~ prey on the city's weakest ~ last night of the year

Fashion -- Dec 29
the dolls festival ~ fashionable dresses ~ a hole in my sole

Muscle -- Dec 28
year of the horse ~ my favorite muscle ~ is between the ... ears

Target -- Dec 27
my heart is ~ the target of her words ~ icicles lengthen
ears perked to snow ~ fox listens for prey ... vole makes ~ a moving target

Service -- Dec 26
in heat or in cold ~ a servant to one's nation ~ salute the service

Myth -- Dec 25
eight tiny reindeer ~ one fat guy ... a frolicking ~ yule tide myth

Fire -- Dec 24
warm by the fire ~ watch snowfall through the window ~ comfort ... and joy

Rhythm -- Dec 23
December weather ~ freezing rain ... next day wear shorts ~ no rhythm or rhyme

Shout -- Dec 22
scream and shout ~ shriek at inequality ~ melting snow

Baby --  Dec 21
Christmas shopping ~ challenging endeavor ~ found my baby's gift!

Race -- Dec 20
race the north wind ~ strain at the bonds ~ reach for heaven

Forgets -- Dec 19
the elelphant ~ never forgets ... sure as the ~ winter solstice

Guarded -- Dec 18
guarded syllables ~ no longer my concern ~ content, not count!
winter seclusion ~ loneliness leads to distrust ~ a guarded response
Buckingham Palace ~ home of the queen ... guarded by ~ Household Regiment

Frighten -- Dec 17
wrapping Christmas gifts ~ singing carols ... Santa may ~ frighten the children

Delicate -- Dec 16
delicate flower ~ she blooms in my embrace ... like ~ winter's plum blossoms

Impossible -- Dec 15
bizarre Christmas gift ~ find and flash snaps of bigfoot ~ impossible feat!

Desert -- Dec 14
scorching heat by day ~ becomes freezing cold at night ~ desert divergence

Earthy -- Dec 13
he had an earthy ~ unrefined sense of humor ~ funky flatulence

Talk -- Dec 12
our talk becomes sex ~ or we argue and compete ~ the windmill of love

Legal -- Dec 11
careful burning leaves ~ only when it's legal ~ bridges when prudent
out of season hunt ~ generates legal problems ~ the troubles I've seen!

Calculating -- Dec 10
gloves and overcoat ~ long winter stretches ahead ~ calculating spring

Smiling -- Dec 9
her smiling visage ~ lights up my heart ... warm beacon ~ on a winter day

Empty -- Dec 8
famished, empty heart ~ labors for personal touch ~ finds only banked fires
empty frozen fields ~ weathered, abandoned scarecrow ~ tears freeze on old cheeks

Improve -- Dec 6
improve the life of ~ a neglected animal ~ adopt a pound pet

Improve -- Dec 5
feet stretched to the fire ~ hot chocolate or warm soup ~ cannot be improved

Book -- Dec 4
Diamonds and Dust ~ written by my friend Carol ~ an autumnal book

Alert -- Dec 3
whistle of a shell ~ we scurry for warm foxholes ~ always on alert

Race -- Dec 2
long yet oh so short ~ I see the end of the race ~ depth of winter

Quiz -- Dec 1
life is not a quiz ~ more a final questionaire ~ breeze or blaze awaits

Pick -- Nov 30
shoppers pick and choose ~ scrambling over sales tables ~ noisy autumn dawn

Once -- Nov 29
Thanksgiving was once ~ given to gratitude ... black ~ Friday gluttony

Nine -- Nov 28
first freeze of winter ~ Thanksgiving dinner ... nine friends, ~ hot cocoa, warm fire

Mean -- Nov 27
I was dully mean ~ and very mediocre ~ How neutral of me

Laugh -- Nov 26

walk a quiet street ~ laugh from a nearby cafe ~ cold day, warm idyll

Knock -- Nov 25

a knock at the door ~ winter wind blast when opened ~ black cowl of reaper

Junk -- Nov 24
passing ship's waves bobbed ~ the junks in Hong Kong harbor ~ a festival dance

Intend -- Nov 23
spring intends to bring ~ beauty back into nature ~ winter's dearth farewell

Haste -- Nov 22
youth of wastful haste ~ autumn of mournful regret ~ remorseless winter

Grim -- Nov 21
a grim, dull morning ~ lightning flashes in the west ~ long night fades to grey

Reset -- Nov 8
his reset button ~ a catastrophic failure ~ dangling icicle

Quickly -- Nov 7
how quickly skies change ~ from warm sun to windy cold ~ late geese hurry south

Priceless -- Nov 6
a sprinkling of stars ~ envelop a gibbous moon ~ priceless ornaments

Orphan -- Nov 5
the bottle raised fawn ~ orphaned when its mom was killed ~ loved to eat cigars

Native -- Nov 4
a native species ~ on the brink of extinction ~ mankind's careless plow
the native glanced up ~ three huge white birds floated near ~ dropped his net and fled

Mere -- Nov 3
it was mere chance that ~ the falling leaves covered the ~ corpse so thoroughly

HaikuWordGame
Chimney, thirteen, volunteer
banked fires eased the task ~ when chimney sweep volunteered ~ for thirteen cleanings

Know -- Nov 1
she glances my way ~ my heart skips, then beats faster ~ her spring smile knows me

Jest -- Oct 31
the tricksters want treats ~ will accept nothing less ... and ~ apples are a jest

Inside -- Oct 30
the feeling inside ~ like a warm spring rain ... belies ~ a dying autumn

Heal -- Oct 29
pagan ceremony ~ aft the hunter's moon ... heals the ~ split twixt life and death
dormant winter nears ~ nature hopes to rest, and ~ heal last year's scars

Get -- Oct 28
Late October eve ~ eager broomstick hangs on hook ~ wiccan gets prepared
cool April showers ~ bring in their wake May flowers ~ forget-me-not

HaikuWordGame
Graceful, Goose, Grimace -- Oct 28
balmy April breeze ~ the graceful goose grimaced ... fish ~ nibbled at her webs

Fracture -- Oct 27
A fracture in the ~ earths crust, called San Andreas ~ California bye
I fell on my butt ~ and fractured my coccyx ~ I could race a snail

HaikuWordGame
Deep, Blue, Welkin -- Oct 26
eyes to the welkin ~ the deep blue vault ... like a sea ~ of white puffy sails

Even -- Oct 26

even the autumn wind ~ wept at the fleeting color ~ lovely on the wing

Down -- Oct 25
down cold creaky stair ~ light switch in the cellar dark ~ do I dare the step?

Catch -- Oct 24
catch summer's ending ~ glean the glory of autumn ~ endure winter's chill
catch a moonbeam ~ cradle it quite carefully ~ cloudy night rescue

HaikuWordGame
Show, Curve, Manipulate -- Oct 23
The curve of the moon ~ shows no manipulation ~ heart such easy prey

Behind -- Oct 23
behind evil smile ~ little witch yelled trick or treat ~ broom and crescent moon

Advance -- Oct 22
winter advances ~ warns of frost and icicles ~ heart fire fades away

We -- Oct 21
spooning while we sleep ~ wake with joy in a light heart ~ cherry blossoms
the definition ~ of 'we' -- objective of 'us' ~ fountain of delight

Vital -- Oct 20
vitality wanes ~ the strength to carry forward ~ only stubble fields
a vital clue was ~ overlooked on first exam ~ hunting for the moon

Unite -- Oct 19
united 'gainst evil ~ Rocky and Bullwinkle fight ~ Boris, Natasha

Test -- Oct 18
test of discipline ~ exercise or laziness ~ planting seeds of will

Stay -- Oct 17
'oh won't you stay ~ just a little bit longer' ~ sings Jackson Browne

#ThePush
Falling Leaves -- Oct 17
like him, the falling leaves ~ old, worn out and desiccated ~ most welcome repose

Rich -- Oct 16
rich dirt, well watered ~ dormant the rest of winter ~ farmer's Almanac
October deluge ~ soaks the land, fills reservoirs ~ spirit enrichment

Part -- Oct 15
my parting with you ~ struggles with lonely autumn ~ for supremacy

Our -- Oct 14
no more 'our', you say ~ shuffling leaves as I ponder ~ those words rend my soul

Haiku Word Game
Cricket, Torch, Age -- Oct 14
cricket chirps nearby ~ search the house, age no hindrance ~ my torch lights the way

Number -- Oct 13
six six six is the ~ so called number of the beast ~ winter moon cools fear
numbers move upward ~ as our calendar shortens ~ life's oxymoron

Mood -- Oct 12
The mood in the room ~ was black -- Everyone wanted ~ to play in the snow.

Lush -- Oct 11
west Texas desert ~ oasis shimmers ahead ~ lush mirage beckons
the guy was a lush ~ like the proverbial fish ~ then I got sober

Kin -- Oct 10
in simplicity ~ is the beauty of nature ~ chaos not its kin
dinna ken my kin ~ quirky, murky, barmy, mad ~ howl at hunters moon

Just -- Oct 9
just as the air cools ~ snow builds on mountain ridges ~ crisp apples picked
wave a plastic wand ~ children chasing soap bubbles ~ just reward eludes

Impression -- Oct 8
gossamer wings flit ~ dragonfly darts back and forth ~ leaves no impression
My impression is ~ autumn has arrived at last  ~ vee of southbound geese

Harmony -- Oct 7
nature's harmony ~ a symphony of seasons ~ verdant or sterile
'Harmony and me ~ We're pretty good company' ~ Elton and Bernie

Grand -- Oct 6
the nights grow longer ~ winds cooler, air seems cleaner ~ grand march to winter     

people on the street ~ no diff'rence 'tween rich and poor ~ a grand illusion

'grand', seductively ~ 'Too much', he replied, leering ~ bartering used car

Fifth -- Oct 5
dawn, October fifth ~ cool and grey with thunder near ~ grass sways with wind gusts
a sober fifth wheel ~ the designated driver ~ saw everyone home

Evidence -- Oct 4
his protestations ~ of innocence were shaky ~ evidence spurned that
autumn is entrenched ~ evidence to contrary ~ feeling summer heat.

Don't -- Oct 3
Autumn reds and gold ~ become winter browns and grey ~ desires don't change
don't use my heart ~ then pile it like dead red leaves ~ brown autumn grass

Chase -- Oct 2
thunderstorm clearing ~ bright sun lifts sagging spirit ~ chases rainbows end

Bright -- Oct 1
bright beautiful day ~ autumn smells in the cool air ~ burning piles of leaves

Absolve -- Sep 30
forget to buy milk ~ mate frowns, scolds, and finally ~ absolves of any guilt

#HaikuWordGame -- Sep 30
1. loom 2. shuttle 3. thrice
Thrust the shuttle ~ Through the loom ~ Thrice

Yearn -- Sep 29
Covet youth's desires ~ heart pounding, star gazing love ~ Age yearns for spring moon
Summer heat lingers ~ After autumn's equinox ~ Yearn for fall cooling.

Wasted -- Sep 28
Swift wasted time ~ Autumn's decline      winter's death ~ Dreams of distant Spring
The days are wasted ~ Nights as well       coldness abounds ~ Like depths of winter.
Wasted leaves settle ~ Autumn precedes winter's death ~ Dreams of distant Spring

Vigorous -- Sep 27
Beavers pack their dam ~ vigorous industry ~ Prepares for winter

Usual -- Sep 26

Captain Renault's men ~ Caught the usual suspects ~ Casablanca bound!

#HaikuWordGame -- Sep 26
1.waver 2.help 3.scarlet
help must not waver ~ autumn rains flood streams, rivers ~ bring scarlet malaise

Trust -- Sep 25
burning raked leaves ~ forlorn scarecrow in bare field ~ trust in spring to come 

Send -- Sep 24
recently planted seeds ~ send roots deep into the earth ~ shoots into the sky

Reserve -- Sep 23
He reserved the right ~ To be a sociopath ~ Embraced Tea Party

Prey -- Sep 22
Its prey unaware ~ The black cat quietly stalked ~ Dying of the light

Onto -- Sep 21
Gently, lovingly ~ First lowered onto her back ~ Carnal acts followed!

Neat -- Sep 20
Rain washed the debris ~ The streets looked neat and cleaner ~ Than before the storms.

Morose -- Sep 19
Morose goldfish ~ Commits koi seppuku ~ Leaps to dry land.

Lively -- Sep 18
Take flight at sunset ~ From 'neath Austin bridge, lively ~ Colony of bats.

Kin -- Sep 17
Ken my nearest kin ~ Be they spice, everything nice ~ Or puppy dog tails.

Jeer, Justice -- Sep 16
When you like outlaws ~ And laugh at law and order ~ You jeer at justice

Intersect -- Sep 15
Summer and Fall ~ Intersect of heat and cool ~ Thankful relief

Heal -- Sep 14
Scarecrow bleeds straw ~ Winter ice ~ Heals.
Regret, forgiveness ~ Healed the conflict between them ~ Family squabbles!
A thousand yard stare ~ disguises emotional scars ~ Love may aid healing

Get -- Sep 13
'Get a job', he said ~ And 'Bums like you take the cake' ~ Yes, but I like cake!
They get! Give nothing ~ The greed of 'free' enterprise ~ Medusae of business.

Free -- Sep 12
Free of want and need ~ Hopeful of new beginnings ~ Homeless vet survives.

Evoke -- Sep 11
The new skyscraper ~ Evokes painful memories ~ Of that awful day!
Rain evokes thoughts ~ Of Summer days, together ~ A cozy hayloft.

Decline -- Sep 10
Completely depressed ~ Looks at the Haiku Challenge ~ And declines to try!
Why did she ask that? ~ It's no one's business ~ Decline to answer!
Once atop the world ~ The gods of nature gave way ~ To One, and             declined!

Charity -- Sep 9
Disabled vet waits ~ Crowded hospital hallway ~ No charity there.
Faith means acceptance ~ We hope for good days ahead ~ Charity brings both.

Birth -- Sep 8
The cycles of life ~ Birth, life, death; joy, pain; love, hate, ~ Are never broken

Answer -- Sep 7
Questions of Summer ~ Autumn finally answers ~ Will it EVER cool?!

You -- Sep 6
Aroma of pine ~ Feel of grass between my toes ~ And you in my arms!
You toy with my love ~ Like a cat with a sparrow ~ My heart bleeds sorrow!

Wince -- Sep 5
Falcon tucked wings, dove ~ Eyes glued to prize. Bird below ~ Winced at its peril.
Difficulties rise ~ When planting seeds of Kigo ~ Wince, shrug, try again.

Vary -- Sep 4
The universe flies ~ Ever expanding, faster ~ Yet unvarying
Sceneries vary ~ Flowering moor or desert ~ You, ever the same


Understand -- Sep 3
I understand now ~ You want me, but would rather ~ Have autonomy
Her panties, my head ~ Hangover! headache!       Sweet perfume! ~ Now I understand.
Understanding reels ~ 'Neath the weight of ignorance ~ Deep as winter's night.

Temper -- Sep 2
Warm, but sometimes cool ~ My temper is uneven ~ Ask my enemies!
Singing, leaves its sheath ~ Katana is tempered steel ~ Whistles thru the air.

Send -- Sep 1
Send me no flowers ~ Do not weep at my tombstone ~ Remember instead
Lucifer, my cat ~ Has more sense than I       She sends ~ No warnings, just pounces.

Return -- Aug 31
You wrote the letter ~ That ripped my poor heart apart ~ And then you returned
Return to sender ~ Address unknown. Presley sang ~ Millions of girls swooned!

Quickly -- Aug 30
How quickly mine beats ~ When your heart is near It races ~ Like a playful colt.
The sound of the clap ~ Caused Lucy to leap     Quickly ~ Spin, land on her feet

Overt -- Aug 28
My love was overt ~ Hatred, sown just as deeply ~ Was less visible
He was a sly dog ~ Overtly he was true blue ~ Covertly, he lied.

Nonsense -- Aug 27
Mountain lake in June ~ quiet, peaceful nature sounds ~ All else is nonsense.
Tis nonsensical ~ the lengths to which we'll go ~ for Haikuchallenge

Mention -- Aug 26
You mentioned romance ~ Here in the dark, hear the ~ Screech of cats in love.
Spring river flooding ~ Low crossing under water ~ No mention on news.

Long -- Aug 25
Summer slowly fades ~ Heat remains, enervating ~ Long wait for Autumn
Autumn has claimed me ~ My body does not respond ~ Longs for youth again.

Kneel -- Aug 24
Believers were shown ~ The savior's humility ~ Kneel to wash bare feet
I kneel before her ~ arms wrapping round her naked thighs ~ pleading forgiveness

Journey -- Aug 23
Holiday journey ~ To distant destinations ~ Makes the summer fly.
The destination ~ does not matter      The journey ~ Is most important

Insist -- Aug 22
Insistent howling~ Brought the wolves from far away~ To the elk carcass
Spring rain continued~ Unabated, the day long~ Scuttling clouds insist

Heed -- Aug 21
Daylight fades to dark~ Lucifer, black as death, sits~ Waits for starlit night
Summer fades to Fall~ Heat retreats to cooler days~ Pay heed to the change.

Grand -- Aug 20
The safe cracker drilled ~ And entered the sturdy vault ~ Many grand in sight.
"You're grand", she said ~ I blushed crimson red.       Strolling ~ Under a blue moon.
'Grand Design' declares ~ Genesis needs no godhead ~ Perhaps, but so sad.

Fetch -- Aug 19
Winter blasts give way ~ Spring fetches prosperity ~ New growth seeks deep roots
"Fetch", he screamed loudly ~ The cat looked at him calmly ~ And licked its foreleg

Early -- Aug 18
The best time of year ~ Late summer, early autumn ~ Baseball AND football!
Saturday night drink ~ Sunday morn aftereffect ~ Too early for this!!!
Early August morn ~ Past days swelter burned away ~ Cool late summer dawn.

Delight -- Aug 17
Laughing with delight ~ Iced tea, midday nap, fireworks ~ Glories of summer.
I turn, you are there ~ My face flushes with delight ~ Spring warmth has returned

Crash -- Aug 16
Like falling leaves ~ The platter crashed to the floor ~ He felt such a fool.
He died while staring ~ Thought the rose was beautiful ~ Sirens neared the crash.

Back -- Aug 15
Forward and backward ~ Summer wind blows golden grain ~ Awaiting scythes sweep.
Turned his back on life ~ Reached cold palm cross frigid moor ~ Grasped the hand of death.
Laying on my back ~ Searching for our lucky star ~ Heavenly splendor

Ask -- Aug 14
I stumble through life ~ Friends ask for my ambitions ~ Hazy reality
Asking for more rain ~ Falls on deaf ears of the gods ~ Drought unabated.
Seek and you will find ~ Ask and you will be given ~ So says St. Matthew

Yes -- Aug 13
Yes, I love them all ~ Fealty strong as March wind ~ Lovely Twitter clan

Time -- Aug 9
We rush, constantly ~ Houseflies flitting, never still ~ Demanding more time
Fields neath summer sun ~ Hear laughter from passersby ~ Fills their time with joy.
Hot summer evening ~ Fireflies dance in mute rhythm ~ Time flows steadily.

Snap -- Aug 8
The back, at the snap ~ Takes his drop, into his stance ~ Fires the ball downfield.
The quiet was broken ~ Snap of a twig underfoot ~ All movement halted

Rest -- Aug 7
Fidgety, need to move ~ Restive when she does not call ~ Could something be wrong?
Rest is overrated ~ Life is short, made for living ~ Doze when you die

Question -- Aug 6
Question the power ~ Our duty and privilege ~ Free nation demands
The question at hand ~ Is it alright to be mean ~ To no one I know.

Pinch -- Aug 5
The pinch of pleasure ~ For the hardship of a foe ~ Not a welcome pain.
A pinch of salt thrown ~ Over the shoulder, salvaged ~ the day from bad luck.
Mail from my woman ~ Thrilled as we are separated ~ I pinch myself hard!

Orphan -- Aug 4
An orphan of fate ~ Opportunity denied ~ He does not relate
An orphan of fate ~ He cannot seem to relate ~ Uncared for by others.
Mewing dolefully ~ Kitten cries beside dead cat ~ Orphaned by auto

Nag -- Aug 3
The hag is a nag ~ She smokes her fag       causes a gag ~ A drag of a slag!

Mend -- Aug 2
My truck is wheezing ~ I can just get it to start ~ Mechanic, please mend!
The mending of fences ~ As Robert Frost reminds us ~ Makes good neighbors
You prepare my meals ~ I mend things around the house ~ Help mates together!

Late -- Aug 1
Striker, in support, ~  strains for late pass      Heads ball to ~ upper right corner.
Late in the evening ~ The light fades      Fireflies begin ~ Their mating flickers

King -- July 31
The king of beasts ~ lumbers cross the savannah ~ Leaves squashed lions behind.
He is king of kings ~ The name has a certain ring ~ A god by any name.
Mighty Ulysses ~ Hero of the Trojan Horse ~ King of Ithaca

Join -- July 30
Onto the sidewalk ~ Join the flying, crushing crowd ~ Prostrate, into bar
Buzzard sees afar ~ Its brethren circling above ~ Joins the festival.
Woodworker builds good ~ Furniture The finest joins ~ Are made with dovetails.

Imp -- July 29
Kiss your lovely lips ~ Hands roam your body freely ~ Inner imp delights
Her lips tremble ~ Impish eyes lift, almost coy ~ Ravenous, she feasts!
Imp frolics in leaves ~ Rejoicing      Crisp autumn air ~ Mom smiles at her child.
Bridge falls into river ~ Hundreds perish horribly ~ Imp grins broadly

High -- July 28
High on women ~ Their curves and secret smiles ~ Irresistible
Pistol shot rings out ~ Stage driver reins in his steeds ~ Highwayman marauds!
High as a kite ~ Stoned out of my mind ~ Just two I used to be!

Gone -- July 27, 2013
Mustang flies like a ~ bat out of hell; will be ~ gone in a moment.
Gone the days of youth ~ Whispers in the universe ~ Lost with lineless face.
"Going, going, gone" ~ The deathly auctioneer said, ~ As he sold a life.

Fragile -- July 26, 2013

He knew her well / Her heart was fragile. He knew / because he broke it.
Moon so fragile / Splintered by the waves / White orb lights the sea
Inchworm makes its way / across the crowded sidewalk / life so fragile.

Enter -- July 25, 2013

Back arches as / I thrust deeper, hoping to / Enter your soul
Doe pauses at forest / edge, cautious, as eve deepens / Enters clearing
Exit to enter / Slip from one world to the next / Sample each fondly

Done -- July 24, 2013

Sun lowering, done, / Savannah shadows lengthen / Zebra graze, watchful.
I'm done / With love / No more!
Day is done / Dark looms, advancing west / Light struggles in vain.

Care -- July 23, 2013

Cherry tree blossoms / on hillside, lava creeps near / life does not care.
Careworn thoughts persist / Denying sleep's comfort / Yearning for dreams.
Care has worn me down / Old age demands surcease / Calm, repair, begin

Broad -- July 22, 2013

The Styx is broad / Dead mans journey.     Charon / Is the ferryman.
Or...
The Styx is broad / Journey for the dead.     Charon / Is the ferryman.
The broad rice paddy / Waved in the breeze.      Water / sparkled in the sun.
The private eye / thought she was a dame, / wait for it       a broad!

After -- July 21, 2013

After I sort my / feelings of pain and loss / I breathe, and live!
The eruption / then the glow of the stars / in the aftermath
Warmth after the cold / The sun shines brighter, / Winter dies!
Warmth after cold / The sun shines brighter / Spring blooms.

Waste -- July 18, 2013

Wasteland looms. / Sands to a far horizon.     Heat / waves offer mirage.
Struggling with death / which refuses to bargain. / What wasted effort
We waste / the resources of our orb / profligately

Zeal -- July 20, 2013

My zeal for you / Is unbounded. My desire / unquenchable!
Love blooms / Like Spring Heart / Aflame with zeal.
Zest for life goes / Hand In hand with gusto / Zeal binds the two.

Year -- July 19, 2013

A year here! / A year there! / They really add up!
To the young a year / is endless. To the old / A blink of the eye.
Last year my heart / was frozen. You thawed it out. / This year     Joy!