HAIKU for SUMMER
The distant mesa
      Floats in the
      summertime heat;
Not a breeze, no sounds.



Desert in July—
      It is raining in the
      clouds;
Thirsty leaves waiting.



The hungry coyote
      Did not follow the
      lizard
Into the cactus.



Flooded arroyo;
      Tarantulas have
      scurried
Onto the mesa.



Down by the river,
      Undiscriminating
      cows
Eat the loco weed.



Sneaking a quick swim
      In the irrigation
      ditch;
The cow pony waits.



The teddy bear rests
      With the little girl
      napping—
Summer afternoon



His old dog chased off
      The rabbits from
      the garden—
Plentiful harvest.
Midsummer  moonlight—
      Nighthawk floating on
      the breeze;
Unsuspecting mouse.



Ponderosa pines—
      Toadstools in the
      shadowed soil;
The snapping of twigs.



Unbending yucca;
A sudden summer shower,
The smell of wet sand.



White blossoms wilted
Onto scorching desert sand;
Black beetles took them.



Cat at the window,
Birds foraging in the yard;
Loud cicada sounds!


© 2010  J. J. Anderson