July Haikuthon

small white gypsy moths
scattered across dark curtains
create their own light
   
gardens of seaweed
floating under indigo
bloom into turquoise

a necklace of shells
lost among the grains of sand
treasure for mermaids

fireflies in jars
sitting on the window sill
lanterns in a row

calliope nights
when we both run in bare feet
and dream of childhood

red bobbing sailboats
orbiting the horizon
echo into blue

your sun kissed shoulder
veiled under the moon and stars
makes me yearn for night

the sun is setting
in a symphony of gold
and notes of amber

strong winds from the east
batter like a hurricane
and blow the man down

when the moon slips low
and glistens the night silver
i dream of your eyes

a slow hazy sky
burnished like a dark ruby
breaks the calm of june

children's sandcastles
climbing up toward the white clouds
vanish in the tide

under the old pier
we drank elderflower wine
and made sand angels

sand between my toes
disappears in the puddles
left by sudden rain

i watch the night strafed
under bright silver star bursts
and billows of grey

ants at a picnic
scurry across the blanket
carrying fresh crumbs

coral's golden fans
flutter against the surface
brushing through the blue

lightning cracks the trees
shakes the roof over our heads
and bruises the sky

chocolate ice cream
runs down your sticky fingers
invites me to taste

bloom of gardenias
cloying sweet and paper white
fades into the dusk

my sailboat wanders
darting under the storm clouds
scattering the stars

foot prints in the sand
bear witness to our journey
and then fade away

the water runs warm
where riptide pulls you under
ocean claims its own

watercolor sky
as horizon disappears
elusive green flash

seaweed knots
trapped in fishing line
all tied up

we wait for starfish
to show their spiny faces
and keep us wishing

songs of flying fish
and conch fishermen with nets
nights in Barbados

worms writhe and wriggle
dancing on a silver hook
luring fish to boats

i feel the slow curl
where wet hangs over my head
deep inside the wave

pipe dreams of summer
scurry under children's feet
and send them flying

charcoal's acrid scent
and the soft orange of embers
glow against the night