Smoky Morning, or: Smoky Mourning [Sonnet]

A smoky morning signals chilly air
 as those who live with walls of plastic sheet
  gather anything matches set aflare,
   and huddle where skin reddens from the heat.

The toxic kindling of modernity
 can burn so quickly, swirling into ash.
  The search for fine fuel builds fraternity
   as all sift through the varied kinds of trash.

They seek a slow and steady type of fire,
 but poison and explosive burn aren't linked.
  This toxic gas hangs low, where they inspire,
   a deadly vapor which makes this clan extinct.

Smoldering pit, skirted by serene stiffs --
 of what killed them, there remains no whiff. 

Charleston Limerick

There was a Bible-thumping lady from Charleston
   who, in her views, was no less than puritan.
 She tried to ban books
  she hadn't given a look
 because, like "Moby Dick," the titles were smut-ridden.

Huế Limerick

There was a bike-rick driver in Huế
  always honked at for being in the way.
 He took loads fit for a truck,
  drove 'em crosstown for a buck,
 and got their faster by using the expressway.

DAILY PHOTO: Lusaka City Center

Image

Zambia Limerick

There was a shrewd carpenter from Zambia
  dismayed to hear what was paid to IKEA.
 He took apart his shelves,
  said, "Make 'em yourselves!"
upped his rates, but threw in a hex key-a.

Crab Scramble [Haiku]

a crab scrambles.
 below: rocks and 
  roiling water

Coming Up for Air [Free Verse]

Breaching the surface,
 one's neck craning, stretching,
  one's lips in a wide "O," 
 one gasps,
   sucking air with a monster moan,
   or maybe it's dying-man death-rattle.

The gasped breath
 is insufficient, 
  and the body shoves
  it back out,
    craving more &
    impulsively air packing. 

As one bobs in the water,
 one times another gasp 
  to the rebounding breach.

This one is more satisfying,
  more calming:
   the perfect breath --
    for all intents & purposes.

There may be a time
 when each breath is as precious
  as this one. 

DAILY PHOTO: Clouds Over Nairobi

Nairobi skyline taken from Uhuru Park in May of 2017.

Japan Limerick

There was a rich businessman from Japan
 who'd always wanted to be his country's Batman.
  But his civil city
   was not Gotham-gritty,
 and the cape made him look like a madman.

Winter Crow [Haiku]

in winter,
 a crow perches on a pole,
  once a scarecrow