Prairie Wind

by Vicki McCullough, Alice Frampton, and Michael Dylan Welch

Third prize winner in the 2005 Haiku Poets of Northern California rengay contest. First published in Mariposa #14, Spring–Summer 2006, page 30. Written on the road between Waterton Lakes National Park and Lethbridge, Alberta on 20 May 2005 (my birthday). We were on our way to the Haiku Canada conference held that weekend at the University of Lethbridge.

white wind turbines

against a dark sky—

the screen door slams Vicki

the 4-H flag

tangled in its rope Alice

driving rain—

the shopkeeper brings in

the kites for sale Michael

panties from the line

caught on the neighbour’s fence Vicki

U-pick strawberries—

the sign sways

on one hinge Alice

the algae-stained keel

of the upturned boat Michael