John Hawkhead

Twisted Branches

The old black stump burned for days. Who lit it no one will tell, but burn it did – down to the last ember, its smoke a black belly of malice cursing the day through into twilight.

Some think it was the Jones boys, others the old woman Trenthyde who speaks only to shadows. Me, I’m beyond caring so long as the damned thing’s gone the way of drifting ash.

metastasis
the earth pushes forth
a hanging tree

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About the Author

John Hawkhead has published haibun and haibunga previously in cho (Vol. 15, No. 1), cattails, Failed Haiku, and the British Haiku Society’s Members’ Anthology. His haiku have been published all over the world and he recently won the Grand Prix in the  10th Setouchi Matsuyama Haiku Contest.