13 THREE-LINER POEMS

 

Foreword: These are some of my three line poems written at various times. I can not call them haikus or senryus since the Japanese are a fine lot and they are quite definite and strict about content and composition. Still, the idea and challenge of compact poetry is quite appealing. Needless to say, these three-liners will figure in my book if it finally comes out some day. I recommend http://www.wonderhaikuworlds.com for some insight into serious Japanese poetry. Cheers.

 

OLD FLAME

Sleek hand crafted steel
she was all blade
and no handle.

 

MORNING COLOURS

Red nectar stain dries

dull moth goes with dawn

bruised pale, your lips.

 

A WESTERN CARNAGE

Tattered blue, stained crimson

cruel bloodbath to the West

the day is done.

 

THE DARK ONE

Profound oceans, slight puddles

truth is cradled,

rocked gentle, on a peepul  leaf.

 

 GLEE

Bright morning

laughter spills pebbles

from a child’s pocket.

 

SENRYU MASTER

Words burn as ink dries

the quill escapes

sliding barely faster.

 

BLEAK MUSIC

Hip-hop stammers to school

naked, vulgar and foul

trips on sense, slips on grammar.

 

DRY WIT

Duck takes to water

all duck

and no water.

 

 TOWN DRUNK

Friend takes to drink

all drink

and no friend.

 

 KILKENNY GIRL

Copper in your hair

fire in your belly

smelting Irish woman.

 

ILLUSIONS

Today, so like yesterday

same river, skies, mountain

clever impostor..

 

PEKING SUITS

Brandishing flags

of imperial crimson

cometh new communists..

 

CRY-BABY

Shrill, annoying child

tired slumbering mother

man wails at nature.

 

Note on ‘The Dark One’: Refers to a Hindu fable, where Lord Krishna, as a baby,

floats peaceful on a peepul leaf, with the whole world drowned

in an apocalyptic flood.