by Kelly

leaves scrape the pavement

I startle and look behind

but I’m all alone

by Kelly

Report on the news:

Coyote Attacks Small Dog

my heart skips a beat

by Alison

little beads of sweat

rest on my nose as I fish

out my resume

by Alison

I strategize ways

to rid the world of bed bugs

with essential oils

No, I am not kidding. Although I have never met a bed bug in person, I cannot stand them and spend far too much time thinking about them. When I am on a sofa at my favorite coffee shop I wonder if I will encounter one. When I buy used toys for Penny at the thrift shop I stick them in the freezer for 3 weeks before I let her play with them, in order to kill any potential vermin. When I am at the gym I inspect the mats before I lie down to stretch on them. I know this is strange but I can’t help myself and I feel even more ridiculous knowing that New Hampshire is not high-risk bed bud territory. So much do I detest these dime shaped vermin that I cannot even fathom posting a picture of them on this site. Ick.

But they are making the news with more and more frequency and so bed bugs stay on my mind. Are you grossed out yet? I’m so sorry. I guess my fear of bed bugs might be my phobia if I do have one. And what about you? Do you have a phobia? Please share! It will be nice to know that I am not the only one

by Alison

Will March bring strong winds?

Will I get a job in June?

Suddenly, my fears.

by Alison

.

..

..

Outside the wind whirls.

Inside my daughter asleep

in her toddler bed.

.

When will the world be

good enough for our children?

The night crashes rain.

The morning is calm.

A young Oak still holds it’s leaves

strong against winter.

by Kelly

Last fall, Alison and I reviewed two books by Ryan Mecum.

The first, Zombie Haiku, is about a man who becomes a zombie. He keeps a journal of his transformation and all of his entries are written in 5-7-5 haiku.

Mecum’s second book, Vampire Haiku, is about a man who becomes a vampire. He also keeps a journal, and — again — all of his entries are written in 5-7-5 haiku.

This fall, Mecum released a third book, Werewolf Haiku. It’s about a man who becomes a werewolf, keeps a journal of the process and — yes — writes all of his entries in 5-7-5 haiku.

Mecum has obviously found a pattern that works for him. I’m just not sure it’s working for me.

Or maybe it’s the topic.

I’m not wholly opposed to werewolves. After all, if I had to come down on one side of the Twilight fence, I’d pick Team Jacob.

But the Team Jacob werewolves seem a lot tamer than the monster in Werewolf Haiku, who can only be described as out of control.

I mean, this guy eats his dog! And then writes haiku about it!

If one can get past

all the desperate barking,

raw dog tastes awesome.

I know, I know. He’s a werewolf and he’s just doing what’s in his nature. But still. His own dog?

I think I would have liked it better if the man had discovered some sort of deeper connection to the canine world when he transformed, like he could have discovered the ability to communicate with his dog instead of eating it.

On the other hand, the dog theme is cleverly tied into the werewolf’s human job. He’s a post man.

Mailman to werewolf.

Takes the phrase “going postal”

to a new level.

He was on the job when he got bit by the “dog” that turned him. And it is a woman from his postal route that is his undoing. But I can’t spill the beans on the ending. If you’re curious, you’ll just have to check out Werewolf Haiku for yourself.

Read our interview with Ryan Mecum.

by Kelly

pure shrieks of terror

ten minutes after lights out –

bunny becomes food

by Alison

like a city girl

I run home with my puppy

as bats swoop above

by Kelly

something unknown sounds –

curled up touching me he growls

low, long, readying