by Michael Dylan Welch, Jacob Salzer, Lisa Gerlits, Jonathan Went, Tanya McDonald, and Ce Rosenow
First published in Raining Rengay #6, October 2025. First four verses originally written 23 June 2024 at Canemah Bluff Nature Park, Oregon City, Oregon. Tanya’s verse added 11 July 2024, with Ce’s added 19 July 2024. Our visit to Canemah Bluff coincided with that year’s Oregon haiku weekend in Oregon City.
licorice fern trail—
a brown creeper darts
to the bottom of a fir Michael
thoughts of you
the blur of a hummingbird Jacob
self heal
I spot a towhee
in the underbrush Lisa
the goldfinch passing
reminds me of grandmother Jonathan
song sparrow song—
the one who’s always absent
from group photos Tanya
trail’s end
the juncos disappear Ce