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COVID Haiku—Lorraine Garnett

Posted by Coffee House Press on October 28, 2021

I remember the first time I was called a poet. It was four years ago at the Worker Writers School monthly workshop. Davidson Garrett, a fellow member and published author, bestowed such a title on me. The haiku, a Japanese form of poetry, was introduced to us by Mark Nowak, founder and director of the Worker Writers School. The pandemic, sadly enough, needed to be documented. And as horrific as it was and still is, writing haiku was a way of relieving my constant fear and pain. The best haiku has simplicity and spontaneity and embodies the five senses. A candid shot, without any disturbances. I try to incorporate at least one of these elements in my haiku writings.


Rock landed on my

head – no blood – was just startled

thought it was mango


I take the train to work and the cars are infested with inspiration for haiku.


Blowing nose in mask

that is some nasty stink shit

on frigging five train


I am still learning the craftsmanship of poetry and hoping to be better with every haiku I write. 

—Lorraine Garnett

 

Let us talk about death

silent family dinners

knife fork spoon jiggling

 

Plague world in labor

cervix dilates – water broke

moms swaddling stillbirths

 

Death dance betwixt smoke

moving like moon jellyfish

COVID stopped prancing

 

Delta variant

put mom’s mask before you place 

her in steel coffin

 

She had baby wrapped

in stroller – child was not real

stabbing pain she wears

 

Coronavirus

begone! it's almost two years

tell anti vaxxers!

 

Brisk conversation 

with breeze - asked to remove mask 

Delta variant!

 

First day of school, dad

adjust two-year-old son’s mask

he said, “ouch daddy”

 

Dear Agent Virus,

my nana went to heaven

she forgot her hat

 

Stinky poopie germs

what, what – what did you call me?

stinky poopie germs

 

I Agent Virus

I am best superhero

bro – no! you’re sicko

 

Dear Agent Virus,

want to see my best friend, Will

I love my teacher!

 

Fly stuck in corner

buzzing – seeking help, pleading

for one slice of wealth

 

Not a piece of meat

we are working human beings

hot dog, bacon – wait

 

No vaccine – no fuck

go ahead – do your research

no heads – google it!

 

Sex toys on the rise

fuck! why so damn expensive?

will have to stay dry

 

Not ready for hugs

definitely not kissing

COVID still lurking

 

Yellow hair – red crocs

perplexed – did he take vaccine?

seem scientific

 

Appeared to be whipped

illusive strikes – blacks go back!

need kind magicians

 

Del Rio crossing

present day Middle Passage

land instead of sea

 

Lorraine Garnett is a nanny in Brooklyn. She has previously worked as a preschool teacher, after-school supervisor, and summer-camp activities director. Her poems are published in Coronavirus Haiku, a Workers Writers School anthology, and Good Cop/Bad Cop (FlowerSong Press). Her poems are also forthcoming in I Can’t Breathe: Poetic Anthology of Fresh Air (Kistrech Poetry). She has read her poems at a number of venues including the Workers United Film Festival, Berl’s Brooklyn Poetry Shop, and the Crush Reading Series at Woodbine. Born and raised in Jamaica, WI, Garnett currently lives in Brooklyn, New York.

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