Corona Senryu VI

Flights canceled, skies clear -
Humans curse the pandemic
While birds rejoice.

Corona Senryu V

Alone, overweight:
computer yoga class fails
to quell her hunger.

Corona Senryu IV

Having lived through wars,
Old man with no mask shopping:
Unafraid to die.

Corona Senryu III

The president said
He heard bleach kills the virus.
Deaths by poison rise.

Corona Senryu II

With beards and long hair,
Men protest the shutdowns, but
Later call doctors.

Corona Senryu I

Morning mirror grin:
Which friend will I lose today?
The old cynic asked.

Corona Haiku XII

Cold spring morning rain:

Neighbor in thick coat outside.

Markets must go on.

Corona Haiku XI

Calling hospitals
Until she found him and talked:
Agonizing farewell.

Corona Haiku X

In the pandemic,
A puppy chasing a ball -
Joy undiminished.

Corona Haiku IX

Social distancing:
The misanthrope, stepping out,
Feels free in the streets.

Corona Haiku VIII

Hell is The Others.
Coughs heard at the house party -
Sartre's words ring true.

Corona Haiku VII

Covered in plastic,
Workers wheel covered bodies -
Morgue as meat locker.

Corona Haiku VI

Worshippers chanting,
The pastor praising God's cure.
From the back pew: coughs.

Corona Haiku V

A nurse, exhausted,
Slouched and holding the cold hand
Of a grandmother.

Corona Haiku IV

The Stay Home Order -
No one told the homeless man
Dozing at the park.

Corona Haiku III

Cloudless sunset sky,
Suggesting hope and questions -
Alone on a walk.

Corona Haiku II

Pandemic evening,
Signs on restaurant doors: "closed" -
No rats in dumpsters.

Corona Haiku I

Pandemic morning,
Cherry petals in the breeze -
No one there to watch.

Thanksgiving 2017

The sidewalk receptacle stood undisturbed,

by passersby unperturbed,

in the cold evening.

The old man, face worn, brown coat torn,

pulled, from the trash,

a brown pizza box.

Box that yesterday held a large pizza:

tomato, pepperoni,

triple cheese and anchovy.

Box that yesterday passed round a room

with glee.

No way to un-see, attempt to forget,

pretend not to feel, or try not to cry,

though the old man tonight will not die.

The brown pizza box held a leftover slice.

Box that when opened seemed to ask why,

when gods among men play with dice,

do the poor and the weak pay the price.

Vegas Haiku III

Thundering gunfire,

Fireworks raining from the sky –

Your question cut short.