Introduction
My love for the haiku started while I was in college. I watched “Fight Club” and loved that the narrator emailed out daily haikus to his contacts. I began to do the same thing my freshman year. Some people enjoyed it and some people probably just listed my email address as spam. I’ve always loved the simplicity of the form. I found it easy to convey events, feelings, and themes though this simple poetic tool.
Five syllables
Seven syllables
Five syllables
The 102 haikus before you were written between 2021-2022, but the inspired content goes back as far as 1993. This all started as a way for me to kill boredom at work, but quickly became a way for me to heal through writing. I used the coordinates to pinpoint the exact places that the events happened. These are real events with real people at real places. You are more than welcome to take the GPS journey, but please keep a few things in mind:
I’ve made sure that no one who is in the haikus still resides at some of the locations, but please don’t go knocking on doors.
Some of these places are in vast wilderness or harder to reach locations. Please be careful if you venture out and remember to leave no trace of your visit.
With that being said, please enjoy my first attempt of self-publishing a complete work.
For all of the miles, smiles, and tears.
63.45912, -19.36481
This was my rebirth
Standing with my hands open
Ease wasn’t promised
32.77513, -79.81071
Sun and saltwater
Invisible and alone
Healing’s recipe
39.65681, -105.59484
Our last camping trip
We both watched the fire die out
The great fortune told
35.59919, -82.56220
We had enough wine
I could have confessed my love
But you didn’t ask
45.32727, -121.66078
I’ll remember you
That second summer sun
Another birthday
45.31676, -121.68428
My favorite moments
They all have a photograph
Each one with you there
35.91091, -79.04778
Up on the eighth floor
We have study room secrets
With anatomy
36.85122, -75.97653
It was our first date
At least that’s what we called it
Your legs were so soft
34.94937, -81.93354
Red flags were all there
The differences were too great
You were not for me
34.84870, -82.21653
I had gotten dumped
You were one of her close friends
Not after that night
43.73029, -117.20309
Respite from the road
Our souls and hearts needed this
We were almost home
36.64603, -81.58317
Alone with sunrise
The pending divorce rose too
But we were both free
35.24561, -81.67273
A small Christian school
We couldn’t have the doors closed
Touchdowns were still scored
35.60940, -82.43004
We were halfway dressed
Hurrying to put our clothes back on
The cop was gracious
39.51853, -105.07816
We clutched the summer
Holding it safe between us
A grand illusion
40.74880, -73.98553
People got engaged
I’m grateful it wasn’t us
Your heart was violent
40.77943, -73.96325
I was in heaven
I could tell you were in hell
It was only art
46.85235, -121.76027
What I accomplished
Wasn’t for anyone else
I was king that day
53.27199, -9.05319
Would you have loved this?
I can’t reach you to find out
I loved it for you
38.51497, -78.43143
My gorgeous Libra
We walked through the misty woods
Wonders came to life
33.54072, -111.86920
I watched you dancing
A turn, a shake, and a smile
That was my signal
36.89831, -76.20448
You look divine
And came home to be with me
But first, let’s go eat
33.76600, -78.79145
Drinking wine coolers
The summer brought us laughter
The fall brought us tears
33.60863, -78.98052
We giggled so hard
I pulled out and overshot
Window to the wall
34.84021, -82.34395
We both dropped our pants
And we locked the bathroom door
It was closing time
31.14714, -81.39183
Anniversary
This was our life for the week
Buzzed and naked
38.19905, -75.15367
Camping on the beach
Woken up with a blowjob
Good morning to me
45.26678, -121.74164
The snow fell softly
Your face looked so pure and kind
Christmas day blessed me
36.85564, -76.29040
My first gallery
You honored me by coming
You were on my side
36.84571, -76.13344
We were nothing then
Sparks came out of this nothing
The heat proved too much
45.51735, -122.67289
We looked great that night
The weather was relentless
As well as your smile
45.44912, -122.78110
I would make the trek
Just to see your face light up
My heart followed suit
38.90061, -77.03152
It was your birthday
I planned a scavenger hunt
I tried to give more
34.82549, -82.30762
It was our last time
We ruined a set of sheets
And burned out so bright
41.37884, -111.78088
I danced in ski boots
Trying to forget your face
So I danced harder
39.61857, -76.69746
Delighting in sun
We both dared to bare our skin
But scared to get close
36.88981, -76.01698
We didn’t show care
Let them see and let them talk
Inside I was scared
39.69332, -104.89489
Who is also there
Holding you so much tighter
These arms feel empty
48.02248, -123.92461
Clothes on the ground
Cold water and naked flesh
A weekend well lived
47.70843, -122.89164
We saw the mountain
It loomed in the summer’s dusk
So did desire
18.26550, -78.36709
For a brief moment
The universe coursed through me
I knew who I was
29.89728, -81.31167
We laughed in the grass
Saying we should just elope
Thinking that was safe
36.96125, -76.26137
I caught a mermaid
In the last days of summer
My net couldn’t hold
44.84302, -84.29101
It was late July
The grey dawn made us quiet
We were still screaming
43.67745, -110.72535
We should have lingered
But the road called us forward
Our hearts weren’t ready
43.52777, -116.04738
You should have slapped me
It would have said everything
That came years later
37.67829, -105.73408
The storm was coming
But we didn’t seek shelter
And it destroyed us
32.24767, -64.83536
This stirred wanderlust
From this point I would hunger
Go see the world, kid
35.23858, -82.72655
Not sure why we kissed
And breasts fell into my hands
“Not tonight”, you said
39.67459, -104.90007
As the snow came down
I put my life in the dark
Light is coming back
65.68818, -21.44820
There you were topless
But we got interrupted
For beers with Benny
34.94943, -81.93290
We felt connected
Talking late into the night
Hoping that this works
34.81861, -82.41238
My darling daughter
I wish I would have known then
I learned the hard way
33.62700, -78.95095
Bob Dylan was right
The girl from the north country
She’ll break your damn heart
45.58969, -122.59278
You were always there
And welcomed me with attack hugs
I sure do miss that
35.23683, -82.72890
I was just some kid
You were a pageant winner
And your smile showed it
35.17933. -100.82940
As I tried to sleep
A new day was just starting
Running from failures
35.77567, -83.09798
Greeted by the Spring
Made for a softer landing
For how far I fell
43.78772, -102.03201
You stood on the ridge
We were not sure what was next
We wanted to see
33.77837, -84.28525
On the balcony
We over looked the city
Orgasms on high
46.18617, -123.96569
Thirty-three hundred
Atlantic to Pacific
We took a big risk
35.03492, -82.69304
Welcome back outcast
What seems like years in exile
Prepared you for home
45.38684, -121.83219
You came to find me
It was the sweetest surprise
Before I lost you
21.25978, -157.81174
It’s a tourist trap
Japanese girls in high heels
Running after thieves
21.27691, -157.82789
We toasted to us
Two kids on a honeymoon
Ignorance of youth
48.50269, -114.34121
I felt wild and lost
I had to come here to heal
The lover’s embrace
33.73533, -78.87471
I turned twenty-one
All we did was talk that night
It’s all we needed
33.71608, -78.88807
They were all British
Spending a summer dismayed
With Americans
34.95677, -82.95135
You were showering
I snuck in and had my way
We almost got caught
45.49611, -122.43039
We found a refuge
Those Sundays we would go hide
Before the rains came
36.81242, -76.13927
What did I see then?
The stolen glances we took
We should have shared more
36.96955, -76.29713
You in the sunsets
My camera always loved you
My favorite muse
37.23641, -76.64591
It was always fun
This felt like one last hoorah
Before we fractured
33.71828, -78.87624
Flirting led to this
You told me to come along
We fucked in your car