By Liam Smith
A series of distinct pieces inspired by early modern Japanese haiku

1.
Grandpa’s funeral
The Air Force played Taps from a speaker
That looked like a bugle


2.
I whisper a joke
So she will surely hear
And she laughs
And I hear


3.
“The Salvation Army?”
Sign me up
For the fire brigade

4.
“Glory, glory, hallelujah!”
The birds sing
Other songs


5.
The chill stings
My coffee burns—
An American flag


6.
“My legs are sore”
“I should be famous”
I drink my $6 coffee

Liam Smith lives in Dublin, Ohio with a cat-shaped draft blocker as a pet, because a real cat would be too difficult to care for. He writes poetry about his anger because he wouldn’t last very long in jail.