In November and early December, I posted a new haiku almost every day on my Facebook page. I gathered up the first batch and posted them here on rh.com about a month ago. For those who do not use Facebook and may be interested in the poems, following is another group. I’ll add a third group in a day or two to catch up. I took a break from posting the haiku because it’s actually difficult to write a good one, and I thought I was pushing my luck and worried that I was going to sound like SNL’s old Jack Handey with his “Deep Thoughts.” I wouldn’t want that, “wouldn’t be prudent,” as Dana Carvey used to say.—PM

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South Common Haiku Set (II)

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Common sky in place,

planetarium-vivid.

Double solitaire.

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Maple, pine, and birch,

easy to name in a crowd—

what of the others?

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Not Carl’s cat-feet fog.

More, you can see the park’s breath—

just this side of mist.

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Under the chipped bench,

empty plastic vodka nips,

lottery tickets.

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Far east down South Street,

violet and pink sky lines.

Shirtsleeve November.

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Red bird in the pine,

a small thing, considering.

Overnight rain due.

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Motorcycles rise.

The ugly furniture mill

beautified at dawn.

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—Paul Marion (c) 2011