Haiku

Cat sits regally

like a statue of Bastet

in the litter box. - Jeff Barnes

Gardener

She realized

as she uprooted

his neglected flower bed's

overgrown weeds

that he gardened

like he fathered,

disappearing shortly after

he had sown his seeds. - Jeff Barnes

Concert

These days we look

more like retirees

on a cruise

than the bohemian

flower children we once

fancied ourselves

as we line up outside

the concert venue, waiting

for the doors to open.

The lead guitarist plays

his solos as flawlessly as ever,

though he resembles

the Crypt Keeper

when he glares at the audience

with a "get off my lawn" scowl,

and I wonder if he will

start shaking his

sunburst Gibson hollow body

like a cane as he shouts

at people for talking,

and tells them

to stop taking photos.

But still, I make you laugh,

as I do every time 

at these events

when I lean toward you and,

with my mouth to your ear

say, "This is a rock concert!

What are all these old people

doing here?" - Jeff Barnes