Copyright © 2025 by Robin J. Phillips
short poems and haiku inspired by prompts, which are in italics
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RobinJP @robinjp.bsky.social
workhorse of flowers
weighed down by expectations
who gives a rose a rose
.
the family graveyard
under an apple orchard
ripe with history
.
such subtle movement
your head turns as I walk by
after all these years
.
jealous of shorebirds
salty air water’s rhythm
dream of foreign shores
.
how old can this shell be
fits in the cup of my hand
rest.. I’ll carry you now
.
at birth I received
a box of magic spices
instructions: sprinkle liberally forever
.
mist hangs like sweat or
debt on fresh water ponds
the heron stands tall
.
PERFECT FALL DAY
warm sun shade so cool
leaves turning red and crisp
the air smells like love
.
this is just to say
I have eaten the cold plums
I’m telling the world
h/t William Carlos Williams
.
glow of tractor light
creates an eerie image
farmer harvests her fields
.
look close at pigs, deer
both eat clover, walk on hooves
just one loves the mud
.
in the morning field
the dew lifts later each day
bunny checks his watch
.
silent V of geese
stirring humid summer air
fly low above my head
.
well-read she said
versatile as a carrot
the perfect dinner guest
.
bright white silence
as I slip out the backdoor
head into the field by the bay
.
alone in my car
winding along the road north
coming or going .. not sure
.
after three days of rain
the river now owns the fields
the land drowns in silence
.
passing verdant landscapes
specks of red on the green hills
rusted cars or Christmas lights
.
roses for the table
green peas to sweeten our stew
heart and soul climb the trellis
a wish
a hope
a fleeting dream
…. desire 💜
.
flutters between us
a tiny blue butterfly
as we hike down the path
.
a wave of malaise
as I turn off the news
time to wade out to the real world
.
we flirt with gardening
planting seeds for new beginnings
the deer lick their lips
.
lost crows and Barbie dolls
scrabbling round the garbage heap
jewels in the refuse
.
glare from the TV
comes from the big screen outside
Solstice please I must sleep
PARTY’S OVER
napkins blow in the wind
fox cubs snack on chicken wings
abandoned water bottle stands tall
.
there’s a term in poker
we’re there … all of us on tilt
angry as a bee
.
thinking about war
walking through a peace garden
cloying smell of roses
.
why are you so lucky
each month, my moon, you begin again
all eyes on your fresh start
.
time to make a pie
cherries, mango, some banana
then this day will have everything
.
STAND PROUD
claiming my own space
no need to weasel my way in
I run forward … fast
.
MAUKA MAKAI
shifting in the stern
I glance back at mighty mountains
blowing me out to sea
.
3 A.M.
me, our dog, my love
three logs on a winter’s beach
snoring mimics the tide
.
this early foggy morn
mist has made us hot and cold
footprints fill with water
.
ATLANTA FLIGHT
sunset breaks days end
surprising comfort of night flights
nowhere else to be
.
SHELLS
tiny shells a memory
no weight at all in my palm
still smell like the ocean
.
bright blue dragonflies
like tiny helicopter
come to guide me home
.
new moon brings fresh start
clear the path to find yourself
walk in its darkness
.
pecan sits atop
bite of silky goodness
memories of Mom flood me
.
a flurry of thoughts
turns to a slurry of fear
my heart gasps for breath
.
you are who you are
the greatest you of all time
why you wanna change
.
I am the ocean
so full of whale water
sloshing toward high tide
.
TOLLHOUSE MEMORIES
nutmeg hits the nose
pinch of salt sits on my tongue
blend of spice and magic
.
upstream .. swim upstream
even if you’re all alone
salmon heading home
.
turn the sound up
on your morning sunrise
Hallelujah choir
.
frog on a log says
wait for me my family
without you I might croak
.
like magic they appear
mushroom villages praising rain
tiny elves hiding in the woods
.
.
like sardines packed in the
streets across America
we showed them
… we will not
…….. be squashed
.
EASTER
Mom loved a holiday
chocolate and spring outfits
ham picnic under clear sky
robin j phillips 