Breath Clouds

by Jocelyn Conway and Michael Dylan Welch

Winner of an honourable mention in the 1998 Haiku Poets of Northern California rengay contest, under the title of “For a Moment.” Written 2 February 1997, on the road to Bear Valley, California, for a day of skiing. Not previously published.

thick fog

at the crossroads—

twisted oak Jocelyn

silhouetted against chimney smoke

the neighbour’s weathervane Michael

distant thunderheads—

by the monkey bars

a child’s glove Jocelyn

misty field—

starlings scatter

at the tractor’s backfire Michael

the hammock gently sways

jet trail from tree to tree Jocelyn

my breath cloud

for a moment

between your cupped fingers Michael