racing outside
the children’s food
left on the table

with the lecture
about hunger

in faraway places

**

lifting a brick

the pocket
of hidden coolness

a brief respite
for the hand
this summer day

**

garden vegetables
the children picked

into the pressure cooker
letting it go
the wish

for a dinner
like the neighbors

 

 

Peter Jastermsky writes Japanese short-form works. His writing has appeared in many journals, including Failed Haiku, Haibun Today, The Cherita, and KYSO Flash. Born in Connecticut, Peter and his family live in Southern California, where he works as a licensed counselor.

 

Photograph of marble Roman artwork by Marie-Lan Nguyen.