John Hawkhead

A Tea Party

When the fog hoists its skirts and closes the space between sky and sea, we bolt our doors, seal window spaces and stoke our fires to scorch the chimneys.  We will have no fog in our lodges or halls of community; fog addles minds, softens resolve and taxes free moving air. We pledge that, while fog moves between us, we will strengthen our defenses and act against its seeping myopia. This is no game; our community remains clear—the justified end is in sight.

nothing
is just black and white
said the magpie
moving a rook across
the chessboard

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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.