"Fire and Ice" Haiku

This was an entry for the “Fire and Ice” poetry contest. It is my first attempt at writing a haiku.

©2014 William L. Steen

"For the Birds"

For the Birds

I had hoped to see some blue jays,

A robin, or gold finch.

I was sure I’d see a cardinal;

A bluebird was a cinch.

I laid my seeds out carefully,

Then waited for some fun,

When a flock of nasty sparrows

Came and ate up every one.

©1998 William L. Steen

Writing on the Wall #31

"Sunshine of My Days"

©1998 William L. Steen

"Oscar was a Hermit"

©2009 William L. Steen

"The Howling of My Heart"

The Howling of My Heart

I cannot sing without your touch.

I've known it from the start.

So stay nearby, lest all endure,

The howling of my heart.

I took this photo through the arches of a downtown railroad overpass to a portion of a mural painted on the far wall. When I saw the result, it so epitomized the anguish of loneliness and loss, the line, “the howling of my heart” just popped into my mind. Writing the rest of the poem was as easy as a root canal.

©2014 William L. Steen

"The Goose that Laid the Golden Eggs"

Earlier this year I wrote a series of poems based on Aesop’s famous fables. We usually think of them as written for children since they are ‘fables’, but originally they were often intended as morality lessons for adults. My hope is that mine will entertain children and adults alike. This is a sample.

©2014 William L. Steen