National Haiku Day: COVID-19 Edition

Nick Warren

Ahh, the ancient Japanese art of Haiku poetry. English-speaking writers from Ezra Pound and beyond have taken this form and ran with it. While often juxtaposing disparate elements, and ruminating on nature, some have taken this to mean anything with three lines of five, seven, and five syllables each. We're certainly in the more brutish and less elegant camp, as that's what we're doing here – about life under COVID-19. In honor of April 17 being National Haiku Poetry Day, here are ten odes to quarantined life.

So what day is it?

I thought that it was Wednesday,

but then I was wrong. 

I don't wear contacts.

My glasses are fogging up,

I need a new mask.

Wash, wash, wash your hands

Sing "Happy birthday to you,"

then sing it again. 

I am in my house. 

I wish that it was bigger,

because of my kids.

I got groceries. 

Big activity this week.

I'm gaining some weight.

When I go outside

for a walk amidst nature:

Too many people.

When working from home

Zoom meetings are now a thing.

No one has pants on.

Starting a podcast.

You can't tell me that it's dumb.

People will love it.

I really miss shows. 

I'd love to see anything.

Even Nickelback.

Everyone stay home

hashtag we got this erie

Stay safe. See you soon.

Nick Warren can be reached at nick@eriereader.com, which is an eight-syllable address that makes haiku-ing impossible. He does not have kids, as this was artistic license. He does have glasses, as his vision is poor.