Three everyday teatime haiku

Inspired by today's visit to the ever-splendid Art House gallery/cafe...

Skiving work today,
Sitting in the ArtHouse caff,
Sipping at my tea.

Morning summer rain
Nearly made me stay at home,
Now there is sunshine.

Inverted lion,
Butterflies, donation tube -
Things in the ArtHouse.

By arch and bower

The Wildlife Gardener

By arch and bower I sculpt my plot,
Tying, twisting, bending,
Watching the growth,
Welcoming colonists,
Under bridges, over water,
A naiads's son, a dryad's daughter,
I plant and trim and sit and watch,
Mostly leaving things to be,
Taking note,
Making progress,
Though it never is completed.

On the Wall

Short and abstract, inspired by graffiti new and old...

On the wall

Desire, come test me,
Some of the best things in life come in pairs.
Rob Bob Jim Roll-up 4 Killa.

Forward ever backward never,
Resistance is my gift to the oppressor.
Rob Bob Jim Roll-up 4 Killa.

Bamboo panda, man moth query,
Sorry about your wall.
Rob Bob Jim Roll-up 4 Killa.

An innocent bystander with a knife
Gets killed by a random fool.
Rob Bob Jim Roll-up 4 Killa.

Brain boxes

Brain boxes

If you don’t think,
We’ll be rioting in the street,
Not writhing in the heat;
Just think to the kick of a different drink,
Dance to a drum with an orphan beat,
Draw your own line in the dirt
Then cross it –
Backwards, blindfolded,
Sleeping but seeing,
Laughing, high as a kite if you like,
Knowing,
You’re going
To drink the wine of it,
And grow your mind
On freedom’s vine,
This time.

Bilingualism

Swahili & English - so far the only time I've tried a bilingual poem...

Utafiti                                                Research

Watoto                                              Children
Na nguo kabichi ya skuli                    In green school uniforms
Wanafaraha                                       Are Happy
Na wanasema wengi,                        And talk much,
Wanataka mimi kupiga picha             Wanting me to take a photo
- Nakweya gari yangu                      - I climb onto my car
Kuona wote.                                     To see them all.