Michael Henry Lee

golden child

Raised an only child, from very early on I found the company of animals far preferable to humans. Adults were perceived as authoritarian tyrants, an impression shaped primarily by a mother who, sparing a litany of excruciating details, was emotionally unrealistic. Children my own age were to be avoided as well, viewed merely as precocious little tyrants in training.

So, it was not at all surprising that on a third grade field trip to the farm during a poorly supervised lunch, I slipped away at the first opportunity. My objective: camaraderie with almost any species other than my own. It just so happened that eye contact had successfully been made with two farm dogs. With a bite of my lunch as enticement, they eagerly accompanied me to a secluded spot behind the barn where we were quickly joined by a goat. Life couldn’t have been sweeter for the four of us until it dawned on someone that “One of the children is missing!” We were all located just in time for a harried young teacher to see one of the dogs and me exchanging licks off my Popsicle.

After recovering from her initial shock, I was asked “Why on earth would you do such a thing?” and “Hadn’t I heard everyone calling my name?” My response to both questions was a lie.

fading autumn light
mindful of a brown recluse
in the woodpile

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About the Author

Michael Henry Lee is a Japanese poetry stylist whose internationally published, award-winning haiku and senryu consistently appear in numerous online and print journals. Lee is one of the founding members of both The Ancient City Poets and The Coquina Haiku Circle. He also serves as the Southeast Regional Coordinator for the Haiku Society of America.