poem

i have a real toad living outside my building
no garden there, real or imaginary, but the toad gets by
grass through the sidewalk cracks
derelict building next door with space under the stoop
in other words, lots of bugs
the toad is fat

for Imaginary Garden With Real Toads

haiku

sunrise mist lies thick
then rises as white vapor
i can see my breath

for Ragtag Daily Prompt

haiku

certain aging birds
have wrinkles around their eyes
mine are just crow’s feet

for Word of the Day Prompt

Trapped In My Ancient Fear

When I was very young, I had a fear of incarceration. Shown above is a photo of me essaying an early escape. I believe that this fear stemmed from a previous life. When I was leafing through an old magazine as an adult, the following advertisement struck a deep chord in me.

Yes, I was a cockroach in my previous life! If it was good enough for Kafka, it’s good enough for me. (Although, to be precise, Kafka told us he was an ungeheures Ungeziefer or “monstrous vermin.”)

Yes, a cockroach, probably trapped in a roach hotel or motel, and then next a baby human locked up in a crib, my parents turning me onto my back all the time, which happened to Kafka as well.

Strangely, I’m only at peace now, at night, sleeping in an adult-sized crib and crawling over the bars and out to the kitchen tofind a snack. If my wife turns on the light in the kitchen, I scuttle back to bed.

My wife, to give her credit, was good-natured about this ancient fear all through our honeymoon.

for Go Dog Go Cafe Tuesday Writing Prompt

new staff

notice: due to tight budget we are forced to reduce park staff and rely on volunteers for cleanup and security. please be patient as they settle in, and observe the following rules: do not feed staff. staff accepts cash only. do not fraternize with staff. thank you.

Photo prompt by Kat Myriam
Photo credit: David Cardinez on Pixabay
for Twittering Tales

haiku

birds return marsh gone
row of hotels by the bay
my birthplace gone too

for Colleen’s Tanka Tuesday

haiku

robin pulls out worm
in park grass daughter stares asks
mommy what’s that thing

for I Write Her Weekly Haiku Challenge