The Elements – first rain

Haiku by Mike Fainzilber, Israel

first rain
the intrepid journey
of the garden snail

• Submission Call – Cityscapes
• The Elements – first rain
• The Elements – overhead lightning
• The Elements – deserted park
• Haiku for International Haiku Day 2024

The Elements – overhead lightning

Haiku by Paul Callus, Malta

overhead lightning
for a split second I stand
in the limelight

• Submission Call – Cityscapes
• The Elements – first rain
• The Elements – overhead lightning
• The Elements – deserted park
• Haiku for International Haiku Day 2024

The Elements – deserted park

Haiku by Nitu Yumnam, India

deserted park
the gaze of the child
tugging his shoe

• Submission Call – Cityscapes
• The Elements – first rain
• The Elements – overhead lightning
• The Elements – deserted park
• Haiku for International Haiku Day 2024

Haiku for International Haiku Day 2024

Today, 17 April, is International Haiku Day, as declared by the Haiku Foundation. The members of Café Haiku got together to create haikai on the theme of new life, the warming of the earth.

Haiku by Geethanjali Rajan, art by Dhaatri Vengunad

Haiku by Raamesh Gowri Raghavan

spring morning walk
my dog struggles to cope
with the ladies

bonny boy
vague stirrings
in the bachelor uncle

living on
in my baby’s name
… father

Haibun by Dr Brijesh Raj

Magic

It is a singularly messy thing, this miracle of birthing. The room lined with newspaper. Well stocked with kitchen tissue, string, scissors and betadine kept near at hand. And muslin napkins in which puppy nails won’t get caught.

I hold on to a tiny paw and the tail and coax out downwards and outwards. Frantically rip off the slimy, membranous amniotic sac from the wriggly, squeally puppy and clear the mouth and nares of any ingested fluid. Hold the neck with a prong like two finger grip, keeping the rest of the body in the other hand and wave it downwards, once, twice, thrice to dislodge any inhaled liquor. Vigorously rub its body dry. Tie the umbilical cord close to the navel and cut off the surplus.

She gives a puppy every hour like clock work six times. My school mate is equal parts happy and relieved. But not as much as the rookie vet wiping a dripping brow.

village fair
the cousin recalls
‘the animal midwife

Haiku by Rohini Gupta

first rain
the baby crow hides
amid the coconuts

• Submission Call – Cityscapes
• The Elements – first rain
• The Elements – overhead lightning
• The Elements – deserted park
• Haiku for International Haiku Day 2024

The Elements – drifting moon

Haiku by Kashiana Singh

drifting moon
your voice slowly
slipping away

• Submission Call – Cityscapes
• The Elements – first rain
• The Elements – overhead lightning
• The Elements – deserted park
• Haiku for International Haiku Day 2024

The Elements – night sweats

Haiku by Joshua St. Claire, USA

night sweats lightning on her bare back

• Submission Call – Cityscapes
• The Elements – first rain
• The Elements – overhead lightning
• The Elements – deserted park
• Haiku for International Haiku Day 2024

The Elements – weekend carnival

Haiku by Chris Langer, United States 

greying skies-
grandpa whistles
with the wind

weekend carnival-
a prize goldfish
in the nearby pond

children’s chalk drawings
from this morning-
gone after the storm

• Submission Call – Cityscapes
• The Elements – first rain
• The Elements – overhead lightning
• The Elements – deserted park
• Haiku for International Haiku Day 2024

The Elements – 4 alarm fire

Haiku by Patrick Sweeney, USA

4-alarm fire   she went back for Neruda

• Submission Call – Cityscapes
• The Elements – first rain
• The Elements – overhead lightning
• The Elements – deserted park
• Haiku for International Haiku Day 2024