Zhanna P. Rader, US

 

 

Haiku   Spring Haiku   Early greening grass— a forest deer visits a haijin's grave. First daffodils bent by unexpected snow— a mockingbird's song. A titmouse pecks at the cherry-tree blossoms— warm, silky breeze. Coffee cups in hand, two neighbors admire each other's crocuses.     Rainy Season in Kenya   Rain-caused blackout— a kerosene lamp gives away some dim light. Gathering free water that pours from the sky— oh, the need for it! Rains— I dry my clothes inside, day after day. Sticky red mud, even in the night dreams— I wash my clothes again. A dirt road, now river of water and mud— I cross it mentally. Your gumboots and my rubber boots wading into a rain pool...