Returning

by Michael Dylan Welch and Alice Frampton

First prize winner in the 2008 Haiku Poets of Northern California rengay contest. First published in Mariposa #20, Spring–Summer 2009 (need to confirm page number). Written at the China Capital restaurant in Belfair, Washington on 13 July 2008. Download or view the “Six Rengay” trifold, where this rengay also appears, on the Trifold Downloads page on my Graceguts website.

a roll of linoleum

on the side porch—

the scent of rain Michael

in dry cement

the neighbor’s initials Alice

the coffee table

moved back

over the carpet stain Michael

cold entry tile—

the UPS man

puts on his jacket Alice

the children’s throw rug

now in the trash Michael

returning soldier—

leaves pressed

under the welcome mat Alice