Haibun for Cache Creek Fire

Cache Creek Fire, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, eXtreme Northeast Oregon today - 73,500 acres, short grass, brush, pockets of timber, uphill runs where receptive fuels exist, otherwise creeping and smoldering. Single lane roads strewn like toothpaste on the cliffs and oversteepened slopes. Significant event: Vehicle rollover with minor injuries. Sunning himself too old to do the work, an old guy by the post office says sternly, “let the county burn, we need the jobs.”

outside the black,
the flaming teeth
September moon

news from a small town 11, September 2012

fire weather report

upslope fog
the thunder has passed

maybe a sleeper

news from a small town 10, July 2012

Farmer’s market

basking under the vendor canopy -
fresh kale and sun-warmed tomatoes

no price for this

news from a small town 9, July 2012  

just there

Just there
in the clamor of 
leaves and songbirds.
Just there
a nest of line 
in thick brush
by the river.
Just there
a noisy story 
that could be true.
Just there, a scrabble
of inspiration
on four paws.
Just there, a flash 
in the muddy swirls 
of spring flood.

Just there the one 
that got away, 
the better to lure you.
Just there, 
stories told soft, with
 wide arms, wide eyes.

  news from a small town 8, March 2012  

The rules

It’s an ordinary day in
Safeway hunting and gathering.
Much more happens here
than feeding the hungry!

O mighty huntress: here’s
how you navigate at rush time.
There are dangers in the aisles.
Beware your fellow shoppers.

Look for the signs: small teeth bared,
headed for the tender spot,
the evil eye and great rage.
Check all suspicious bulges -

they may hide the fruits
of sticky fingers or a stick-up gun,
or a marriage proposal. (It happens).
The trick is comparison shopping.

If you see her and her ex’s new girl,
turn away your cart in time.
There may be a fight
or at least a confrontation.

The frozen foods aisle is well known
as the place to pretend not
to start a fight, in the so-called
safety of a public space.

Here are the rules: in no order.
Don’t get between me, my food,
my coupon, my deal, my
cheating ex! or the check line.

Don’t think blood couldn’t spill.
It’s called wet clean-up for a reason.
Here’s where you come for 
serious business – Fruit, yes. Squash, yes.

Carrots, yes. Meat, just maybe -
but so much more. It’s dangerous here.
Shop carefully, be wary, and O
my huntress! Come home the safe way.

  news from a small town 7, March 2012  

Complaining about election rules

You must be
at least THIS tall

to sneak under the gate

   news from a small town 5, February, 2012

the truth is

blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
all honor and glory here, scorn there
until the next time, the next paper,
the next hearing, the next coffee shop 
we know what it is we want to believe -
blah blah blah blah blah blah blah

   news from a small town 5, January, 2012