THE HAIKU

is a traditional Japanese three-line poem with seventeen syllables, written in a 5-7-5 syllable count.

The Carousel

Neigh, calliope.
Black horse, brown horse, elephant,
Whirling, grab the ring.

* * *

An episode: Once Upon a Time in the City of New York

Cold stars, night shadows
A too-still form in my arms
Hope jolts both our hearts

* * *

Vincent in the Crystal Cavern

Dancing light – white fire,
blue ice. Myself, reflected …
A man made whole … new.

* * *

Mouse’s hat, two rays
Beam from over-ear, parting
Shadows at his feet.

LIMERICK 

the first letters of each line spell out a particular name, and the poem relates to that character.

The Balcony

From a balcony up eighteen flights,
He beckons her night after night.
Our window Above
Will shelter our love.
Let’s cuddle until it be light.

* * *

A Kiss

Lips parted, he softly did kiss
the strong pulse at the bend of her wrist.
She sighed and she gasped.
The other each then did grasp.
What happened next is too private to list!

* * *

Catherine

In the mirror, she saw his reflection,
and smiled as she turned his direction.
The phone cord was cut,
The curtains pulled shut.
She’d left nothing to chance or objection!

PERSONA POEMS

are written from the point of view of someone or something other than your own – not about the character or object, but as if you are that character or object.

Catherine’s Crystal

I am light 
broken from a celestial throne,
a storm of ice and fire …
borne to earth,
cleaved from it,
more perfect now 
in this home.

* * *

The Broken Headlamp in Vincent’s Room

Don’t throw me away, don’t, please don’t.
I have use in me still. I have …
purpose. 
Polish away the years, the dust of forgotten, the sting of cast-aside.
See me. 
Save me.
Once day, I will return the favor.

THE SIMILE

is a poem that compares one thing to another with the words ‘like’ or ‘as’.

Her eyes, grey-green and tender as the cushion of moss beneath my cheek …
her loving look touches me, travels me.
I turn to gaze up at stars and wish.

THE TANKA

is very similar to haiku, but Tanka poems have more syllables – there are five lines. It uses simile, metaphor and personification and are written about nature, seasons, love, sadness, and other strong emotions.

Under the band shell
A symphony
plays on in my mind
while Catherine, wet with rain,
kisses me soundly.

THE 5 Ws POEM

is five lines long. The first line tells who. The second line tells what. The third line tells where. The fourth line tells when. The fifth line tells why.

The Episode: To Reign in Hell

Winslow, his dreams damped down,
championed the love he believed in, nonetheless. Braved danger,
when that love – not his, yet his, his, too – was threatened.
Braved the depths and that bleak darkness
to stand forever, their guardian.

* * *

Joe,
A righter of wrongs,
Too early and too late
At his desk, in his office
He labors between evil and the innocent