Six of One

by Andrew Riutta and Michael Dylan Welch

Winner of an honorable mention in the 2018 San Francisco International Rengay Competition sponsored by the Haiku Poets of Northern California. First published in Mariposa #41, Autumn/Winter 2019, page 31. Originally written via email in November, December, and January 2006–2007.

at one

with the morning fog,

my cigarette smoke Andrew

champagne uncorked

at a table for two Michael

a single wishbone

for a family of three—

New Year’s Day Andrew

each foot and hand

touching a different state—

Four Corners Michael

even without coffee

I manage to take five Andrew

six feet under—

the wave curls

over my surfboard Michael