HAIKU Poem by Erin Castaldi

chronic illness
no good deed
goes unpunished

recompense moon
a black cat and I
catch meteors

hot mess
a pile of something
in every corner

for those
who cannot hold their tongue
slither moon

in other words
I’d rather…
but I won’t

solstice moon
the night sharp
with ego

no one
left to say sorry
shunning of the light

insomnia
angry conversations
with God

in a pouch
on her chest
emotional support tabby

chicken scratch
mom’s secret ingredient
a mystery.

relinquishing
and receiving
two mothers

a new tribe
flowers bloom from
those darkest days

a clatter of starlings
overtake the sky
Gotcha Day!

baby socks
in the dog’s mouth
in the backyard