Africa rises in my mind
Teeming land of many breeds
Ranks of animals
Two by two
Noah's ark
In rocks and soil
The earthen ship
Holding our idea
of Nature
While nature rots under my heels.

12/31/03

This was my first try at something for a stern little boy, who asked for something about Africa, then demanded if I would write couplets or haiku. I decided that this attempt was a little bitter and nasty for a child, and put it aside for the following haiku, which he was asking for, anyways. And yes, I'm aware that I dropped a syllable in the second line. You try composing formally while an intense little blond critic stares you down.

In Africa are
Many varied beasts
But little weather.