“the family we choose” is 8x10, made of paper, acrylic paint and glue on board. © Annette Makino 2020
Today, April 17, is International Haiku Poetry Day! In celebration, I’m sharing a collection of haiku I’ve published over the years about a subject near and dear to my heart: dogs.
These poems were all inspired by our sweet, funny and neurotic poodle mix, Misha. At 16-plus years old, he is clearly declining and we don’t know how much longer he’ll be with us. So I want to celebrate him while he’s still around.
the jingle
of the dog’s tags
wild currant in bloom
bush after bush
the dog’s news feed
juicier than mine
Misha just relaxing at home.
open road
the dog’s ears
streaming
waning crescent
the dog re-checks
his food bowl
steady rain all night snoring from the dog bed
hunger moon
a descendent of wolves
licks our plates
wet black nose the simple things
constellations
one barking dog
sets off another
empty bowl
I explain daylight savings
to the dog
rhythm of rain
the dog curls tighter
in his sleep
campaign sign
the dog registers
his opinion
home from errands—
a hero’s welcome
from the dog
rolling thunder
the old dog
too deaf to panic
winter night
the dog crawls deeper
under the covers
lengthening shadows
I lift our old dog
into the back seat
the family we choose
he nudges his snout
under my hand
Happy Haiku Day from Misha and me!
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Makino Studios
Free shipping thru Sunday: In celebration of Haiku Poetry Day, I’m offering free shipping on the Makino Studios site through this Sunday, April 23, with no order minimum. Use code HAIKU2023 at checkout.
Sunkist Festival: This small and delightful fair takes place on Saturday, May 6, from 11 to 5. Formerly known as the Pizza and Pottery Festival, it will feature wood-fired pizzas and other goodies plus live music. In the garden at 135 Sunkist Lane, off Glendale near the Blue Lake Murphy’s Market in McKinleyville, CA.
Mother’s Day and graduation cards: Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 14 and graduation ceremonies are coming right up. I have several card designs for both occasions. You can browse all 70-plus designs here.
A New Resonance 13: I’m delighted to be one of the 17 haiku poets featured in this landmark series published by Red Moon Press. Featuring a wide variety of emerging voices in haiku, these books are now available to pre-order. I expect to receive my copies within a week or so and will ship orders as soon as possible.
Calendars: My last 2023 mini-calendars of art and haiku are now on sale for $6.99 (from $12).
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Publication credits:
2021 in art & haiku by Annette Makino
A Hundred Gourds
Four Hundred and Two Snails: Haiku Society of America Members' Anthology 2018
Frogpond
Haigaonline
Haiku News
Hedgerow
Modern Haiku
Notes from the Gean
Presence
Red Paper Parasols: 2022 Southern California Haiku Study Group Anthology
The Heron’s Nest
tinywords
ukiaHaiku Festival 2014, first place, General Adult
Wishbone Moon: An International Anthology of Haiku by Women