How the Fence Divides: haiku sequence

How the Fence Divides
A responsive haiku sequence by Sabah and Christina Nguyen


he, commandant;
when he deftly navigate
a blackwomansail

mercy how shame is buried deep in liquid earth 

steel fence speaks separation
fractured sunlight her smile

barbed wire
the cuts
in my breath

aimless sound
scandal of our cousins

floating, floating
on needles
in the clouds

i found me
put away in an old chest
london evening

the blink
of a fawn’s eyelash
in the fog

depression sung through
a paintbrush mackerel skies

clouds
where the edge of the universe
hangs

fingers of the wind
light lullaby while washing

as the skiff
fills with sky
birdsong

old yacht • winds of the east • brush against we

plein air
the sweep of a hand
unrestricted

symphonic breath • my study time • disrupted

spilled confetti
a confession
under fireworks

eye lash
slight rip in her
heart

the creak
of an open door…
gone fishing

obstinate
child seething afternoon
sky breaks

with heels
dug in
raindrops

faction of rain
mount etna heaves and
pants in labor

how the fence
divides that haves
and have nots

balcony of thought
her arrogance festooned
like lanterns

the music beneath the harlequin mask

how we sing ‘neath crushed bones

driftwood…
white sails
against blue

cypress prayers
bended evenings
tailspin

in sparse sunlight
his rough hands
unwashed

we speak over
fences and skies
dead leaves



©2012