EDITOR’S NOTE: Mike Randall’s call to haiku (see link below) reminded me that Barbara McLaughlin had shared Chuck McLaughlin’s haikus at his celebration of life, and I had always wanted to enshrine them here on the Pioneer among his other writings. AND, in his very Chuck way, they are arranged by season, starting with Spring. So without further introduction, let’s dive into a few haiku from Chuck McLaughlin.
If you are so inspired, as I am by Chuck’s (and Mike’s) haiku – please share yours with Pioneer readers – editor@tillamookcountypioneer.net. Or do you have photos that depict some of these scenes described? The Pioneer is always open to sharing our community members’ creativity. This set of haiku really enlists all the senses, and as we’ve been enjoying the frog songs in the evenings and the bird songs, Chuck’s haiku truly hits the high notes of Spring on the Oregon Coast.
EVENING’S SILENCE BROKEN
A FROG CROAKS…THEN ANOTHER
FULL CHORUS FOLLOWS
WIND HISSING THROUGH LEAVES
WINDCHIMES’ TONES ACCOMPANING
MEDLEY OF BIRD SONGS
IN SEEMING RAPTURE,
LIGHT-STRUCK MOTHS OFFER HOMAGE
TO DECK’S GLEAMING BULB
GARDEN SPIDER DARTS
TO SILKEN-WRAP HAPLESS FLY
BACK THEN TO WAITING
TIGER SLUGS ENTWINED
ANTI-CLOCKWISE MATING STYLE
FAR BEYOND TANTRIC
PELAGIC PUFFINS
LEAVING LARGE MAY MATING RAFT
OFF TO HAYSTACK ROCK