Haiku to you………………

 

 

LIFE

 

My wife, my love is

life itself—the pulse and flow

of my existence.

 

A lifetime of love,

is a season of repose.

how fragile we are.

 

Vibrant summer light,

counterpoint of winter gray;

the seasons of life.

 

Spring brings a great rush

of life’s new affirmation,

take a cool drink, breathe.

 

Takes a life-time to

gain insight, maturity,

growing up is hard.

 

Looking to find peace?

know your inner resources,

ride a quiet wind.

 

Breathe deep and exhale,

your mind quiet, free from doubt,

the trees unruffled.

 

Set-up, take away,

rhythm, timing, follow through,

the essence of life.   [all games are the same]

 

Young love so very sweet,

soft blush of discovery

makes dew drops glisten.

 

Joy is in the air,

the setting spectacular,

dark clouds rain sadness.

 

Hesitation, oh,

I may have made a mistake,

maybe so—or not.

 

Comfortable, no,

but my commitment is strong,

please don’t let me fail.

 

Anticipation,

prelude to joy, happiness,

a tragic mistake.

 

A lifetime of love,

the renewal of seasons,

death is a comfort.   [death the redeemer]

 

The river is life,

strong currents swirl, rise and fall,

smile with contentment.

 

Is this the right place?

comfort, safety, fulfillment?

is it possible?

 

Treacherous, wet, cold,

fast flowing frigid river,

make the adjustment.

 

How do you find peace?

know your inner resources,

ride a quiet wind.

 

Coping with any change,

pressures our wit and wisdom  [faces each of us daily]

who have we become?   [who are we today?]

 

 

WORK

 

A lifetime of work,

perfect but not even close to

the joy of friendship.

 

A lifetime of work,

career– significant, yes,

future less certain.

 

There is a great rush

to build, to grow, to prosper,

we must remain calm.

 

Wasting precious time,

unsatisfying work is

a drain on each soul.

 

Oh what shall I do?

is the often-heard lament,

find the right snowflake.

 

Live to work—not good,

but necessary for some,

better work to live.

 

Commitment always,

accomplishments many,

few will remember.

 

 

 

KIDS

 

Kids cry out to us,

how do we soothe and comfort?

love is the answer.

 

Why are children fresh?

they can be direct-even cruel,

innocence abounds.

 

Children are a blast,

they challenge value systems,

cherish their freedom.

 

A very small premie,

only seven sticks of butter,

where is the justice?

 

Good times with the kids,

I have not always been there,

but always loved them.

 

Teach, discipline, guide,

everywhere pitfalls abound,

parents stay the course.

 

Twins are a blessing,

so alike, so different,

each snowflake unique.

 

A trip with my boys,

another chance to be close,

a gift to behold.

 

Children are a joy,

spontaneity abounds,

the future is bright.

 

The smile of a child,

a young couple happy but,

life is not easy.

 

 

FOR MAI

 

Mai is beautiful,

a flower for all seasons,

resting near the tree.

 

A beautiful tree,

shades and nurtures our little Mai,

we will recover.

 

Pink cherry blossoms,

Thuy Mai is our special gift,

peace is with everyone.

 

Chi and Dan are strong,

they comfort one another,

Mai is the warm breeze.

 

We expected beauty,

we were not disappointed,

we forgive ourselves.

 

Why did this happen?

a question without answer,

rest sweetly our love.

 

Oh Mai, oh our Mai,

unlike anything we have known,

love is our answer.

 

 

 

LIAM

 

I was so nervous,

unable to concentrate,

really, I was scared.

 

Frightened for them,

as they fought to find their way,

failure not an option.

 

The days have been long,

the preparations mighty,

outcome uncertain.

 

Life begets heartbreak,

the randomness can be cruel,

don’t test us this way.

 

Liam, oh Liam,

I cried with joy at your birth,

ancestors rejoice.

 

 

MORE KIDS AND GRANDKIDS

 

One munchkin, then two,

new life a joy to behold,

but imperfect—yes.

 

Lyman and Edith,

Thuy Mai, Liam, more to come,

grandparents in love.

 

Children break your heart,

yes, unconditional love,

joy-sorrow combined.

 

A child has power

to twist parents into knots,

blood makes a strong clot.

 

New birth, a new life,

joy, relief, expectation,

happiness we hope.   [maybe]

 

Then along came Luke,

quiet and serene, brother

to the forceful wind.

 

Luke is a treasure,

more alike than different

the DNA shows the way.

 

Becca and Michael,

decided finally to

have a family.

 

Elie Naomi,

the precious missing link to

a gorgeous future.

 

An ark for Noah?

no just the love of parents

for a special boy.

 

New girl Vivian

born in a late winter lull

coming soon straight eyes.

 

Samuel four names

honoring ancestors past

prize for the future.

 

 

 

 

FLYING

 

Someone else at fault,

a predictable refrain,

is anyone in charge?

 

Waiting drains your soul,

frustration fuels your anger,

be quiet and rest.

 

Frustration, anger,

waiting is cruel for the soul,

control your breathing.  [laughter is helpful]

 

Flying,

thunderstorms,

terrifying.

 

You check the numbers,

careful to plan weeks ahead,

there is no justice.

 

Not canceled again,

another weather delay,

calm is a tough sell.

 

Magical Mooney,

slick, fast, freedom up above,

a world of boredom.

 

Unease with flying,

addressed with careful planning,

makes me even sharper.

 

Out of control,

a moment of sheer panic,

remember the basics.

 

Flying your own plane,

making your very own schedules,

is a dream come true.

 

Serpentine canyons,

gorgeous, awesome, frightening,

billowing aloft.

 

 

More Haiku

 

Eve of Yom Kippur

Sealing what has been written

For a sweet New Year

 

Didn’t go to shul

But I feel even more Jewish

Fasting is the key

 

Fear is fight or flight

Panic is irrational

Key is information

 

Even with information

Dogma trumps reality

Fear becomes panic

 

Ebola scary

Misinformation is worse

Do not be misled

 

Is it infectious

Nothing like influenza

Get a flu shot now

 

Bellowing distrust

Uninformed and ignorant

Policy nightmare

 

Authority no

What do they know anyway

I only trust myself

 

Trouble is brewing

Anti-science is a sweeping trend

Must say I told you

 

Opinion is yours

Facts selectively ignored

A dangerous mix