Mountains (January 21, 2008)

layers of mountains
cut the horizon jagged
clouds climb over

Touchdown Vegas (January 20, 2008)

two hours backward
fifty degrees warmer
touchdown in Vegas


hundreds of people
crank slot machine handles
unhappy faces

Green Mill Goodbye (January 15, 2008)

trickling patrons
they complain about slowness
relaxing, I smile


a friendly greeting
suggested appetizer
—no acknowledgment

The Battle (January 8, 2008)

common cold syndrome
nothing a sauna can't fix
two hundred degrees


each room in the house
contains a stale cup of tea
I still have a cough

House To Myself (January 3, 2008)

night of boredom
I look to my buddy list
forecast is Sunny


chatting with Sunny
brightens the darkest of nights
five in the morning

New Year, Not Fucking "New Years," not even "New Year's" (January 1, 2008)

dozens of poems
a folder made of pixels
take up zero space


conversation—
it's what she didn't say
that crushed my spirit


I propose a toast
new year resolution
"old friends and new loves"

Russian Christmas (December 25, 2007)

automatic watch
what makes it valuable
is what makes you frail


Christmas snowfall
Father hands me a present
a well-worn shovel

The Quest for Abs (December 19, 2007)

determination
jogging not for travel
but for exercise


many things don’t change
given enough commitment
I’ll develop abs

Tea (December 3, 2007)

new brand of tea
old familiarity
gets cold so quickly


despite my effort
occupy my time and mind
think of her often


Halo regimen
pure pwnage during gaming
sit-ups during load


days pass so quickly
without any excitement
strangely, i don't mind

Fog (November 19, 2007)

thanksgiving comes
no reason to celebrate
without my Lisa


suffocating fog
objects render out of grey
like playstation one

Sucks (November 16, 2007)

day after day ends
filled with monotony
forward to nothing


port forwarding
virtually an art form
a winters midnight

Green Mill Haiku (November 9, 2007)

two table buffer
baby blast radius
a diner's nightmare


parmesan packet
completes the experience
Green Mill take out


bitters and Sprite
the ginger ale recipe
I take advantage


one drink per person
unmarked styrofoam cups
soda roulette


hosting duties
seating, phone answering
text messaging

Slightly Chilly (November 6, 2007)

gloomy and still
occasional wind blows leaves
parking lot

Lucky Charms (November 1, 2007)

gallon of milk
fades to only half gallon
bowls of cereal


too many charms?
stomach cramped and bloated
worth the agony


marshmallow treats
hundreds in my stomach
diarrhea

Absence of Internet Threatens to Take my Sanity (October 30, 2007)

science fiction hell
world without internet
my reality


reset the modem
"unable to connect"
reset the router


hungry for poker
probably for the best
unable to play

Parents Come Home (October 28, 2007)

gone for a week
they return from Europe
to criticize me

Musings (October 24, 2007)

some might think it's gay
I wear a pink robe with pride
gift from mother


deep into night
I stay up to watch Star Trek
over and over

Chipotle (October 21, 2007)

massive hangover
easily cured by sunlight
overcast sky


enormous pill
to cure my hangover
chicken burrito

-$16 (October 17, 2007)

fire in my gut
harnessed it for sit-ups
constructive fury


third place finish
first place stolen from me
by typical beats


too angry to sleep
video game music
embraced by the night

No Need to Title (October 5, 2007)

Final Fantasy
Lisa plays it joyfully
her toes painted red


poker after hours
bankroll growing slowly
far behind my dreams


with a full wallet
journey through Rosedale Center
I buy Lisa shoes

General Haikuwery (October 5, 2007)

electronic tome
unlimited potential?
blue screen of death


a few poker hands
over a hot cup of tea
back to back beats


after years of coffee
I finally realize
acquired the taste

Chesterfield South (September 22, 2007)

microwaved pizza
eager from starvation
my mouth is burned


a night of poker
savage like a gang beating
all emotional

Six Cups of Tea (September 19, 2007)

Neglected tea cup
Growing cold and tepid
I lose at poker

Third cup of tea
All three only half consumed
Cold from distractions

At Lisa's house
Nightly ritual begins
Final cup of tea

Lisa's (September 18, 2007)

I decide to sleep
thunderstorm erupts outside
terrible timing

Lonely Poker Night (September 13, 2007)

Sleeping easy
Victory on the felt
Poker's rare pleasure


Final Fantasy
Long after completion
It's music lives on


Bruno stirs with anger
While I play into the night
Music and poker

Visiting Shneider (September 11, 2007)

poker with Shnnieder
a losing proposition
expensive lesson


lonely late-night drive
kept awake by techno bass
zen experience

Masha's Homework

four page paper
mix of fact and fiction
I help with fiction



my cousin and I
handle homework together—
Krasny combination

Green Mill (September 1, 2007)

only four colors
countless possibilities
bin of crayons


my dream of serving
fade into nothingness
another host shift


dinner on friday
state fair consumes patronage
haiku on the job

Back at Home (Agust 28, 2007)

home with my parents
unpleasant experience
must "job" my way out

Thunderstorms (August 27, 2007)

Typing in darkness
Horizontal blinds flicker
with each lighting strike


Soft and luscious grass
feeding off good fortune
rainy august

Move-out Day (August 26, 2007)

jackhammer headache
hunger and dehydration
pills and coffee

Haiku of the day (August 24, 2007)

attempting silence
chair is disobedient
Lisa wakes and stirs

Insomnia (August 21, 2007)

endless thunderstorm
the drive home from Lisa's
uneventful


AIM at five a. m.
one buddy is still awake
one is just waking

New Keyboard (August 16, 2005)

Forgotten friend
Surprisingly re-enters
A cousin, Krasny



A helpless keyboard
Malicious can of soda
My reckless elbow

Haiku Hiatus (July 2, 2007)

over cups of tea
we share a conversation
through the internet

College Graduate (May 31, 2007)

bathroom break—
despite dramatic changes
tea remains constant



college graduate
homework never stops—
just little changes

Birthday (May 2, 2007)

birthday’s come an go
my age almost forgotten
facebook reminds me


First in memory
I feel totally content
Lean back and smile


Shower before bed
Chirping birds entertain me
five in the morning

Ending (April 26, 2007)

conclusion of school
surreal experience
happy it’s over?


Little Taj Mahal
Indian cuisine reward
Four times in a week


crippled bicycle
creaking and snapping to school
rust is terminal

Untitled (March 27, 2007)

a five minute stroll
from Mcdonalds to my class—
perfectly timed rain

5am Monday Night (March 26, 2007)

cold breeze teases
it keeps me cool but awake
playing with the leaves


roommates sleeping
everybody is sleeping
except me and tea


like a human heart
my room doesn't stop beating
as the city sleeps

Indian Buffet (March 22, 2007)

all-day hunger
helps me et my moneys worth
Indian buffet


needy stomach
only one hour remains
before sustenance


winter bicycle
enjoys its final spring
doomed to disposal


brace for impact
as the tests are handed back
pleasantly surprised

Back to School (March 20, 2007)

counting the due dates
six weeks after spring break
no more school ever


joy and nourishment
just under a dollar—
double cheeseburger


late class tomorrow
sleep without consequence
alarm clock set to four


surprisingly light
night class doesn’t feel like night
until it’s over


lazy sunset
people are cheerful
in the bright dusk


squirrels find treasures
beneath receding ice
box of milk duds


rusty bike chain
academic motivation
—both decompose

Spring Break Weekend (March 12, 2007)

a hangover
one remaining memory
first glass of wine


ring of mystery
phone shouting for attention
telemarketer


new batch of tea—
enjoyed in silence
while computer boots

Longest Shift Ever (March 9, 2007)

paper cup—
the tea I sip from it
loses something



ambulance screams by
people’s conversation
uninterrupted



ten hour shift
just three hours in
I need a shower



shining sun
snow melting off rooftops
gutter rain

Spring Break (March 8, 2007)

two hours early
double check alarm clock
—back to sleep happy


every day
the trip to school and back
longer than before


last day of school
surrounded by empty seats
spring break starts early?

Film Study (March 7, 2007)

warming pavement
overtaking cold snow
arrival of spring


bike without gloves
halfway through the bike ride—
I learn regret


research paper?
I purchase a research book
Finding Betty Crocker


journey in silence
only music of the wind
—broken ipod


micron archival
an artistic instrument
the king of pens


my untied shoelace
I contemplate tying it …
it remains untied

Darkness (March 6, 2007)

snow keeps on falling
tracks of my bicycles
—disappearing


unhappiness mounts
parallel to falling snow
Lisa is my plow


empty pockets
I check my bag for chap-stick
My lips cry for help

Weekend’s End (February 26, 2007)

the smell of sardines
transforms my whole bedroom
to a sardine can



one tea bag struggles
steeping its fourth cup
three in my stomach

Warmth (February 20, 2007)

A squirrel
drinks the sunset
from a puddle



seven page handout
twenty-three students
save the trees?



Melting snow
the desolate bike rack
lively with people

Desk Musings (February 19, 2007)

Exhausted cold
finally gives way
to a warm day


Clutter begins
each time in the corner—
A pile of socks


Potato chip bag—
half empty, all stale
I find out too late

McDonalds (February 15, 2007)

Glistening French fries.
I wait for them to stop
before enjoying.


Wind chill hugs my head
soothing my headache away.
Can’t feel my fingers.


Hard working hat
absorbing maximum cold
protecting my ears.

Film Study (February 14, 2007)

A vomitous smell
Nacho Doritos are near
Crunch crunch crunch


Fire in my throat—
Mountain Blast Gatorade
Quenches my thirst.


Me and my Lisa
Bound by obligations—
Apart.

Re-writes (February 8, 2007)

A group of squirrels
Eating McDonalds garbage.
Falling snow glitters.


Squirrels
By the trash can
We all eat McDonalds.


Overflowing trash—
The squirrels and I visit
McDonalds.


A pleasant routine
McDonalds between classes.
One dollar coffee.


Homework assignments
I plan to do them early—
Very unlikely.

Notebook Scribbles (January 25, 2007)

Three hours at night.
Three hours during the day.
Two naps make a sleep?



Clicking in classroom.
Pen clicking, says my Sherlock—
It was nail biting.



Break in the lecture.
Keyboard sounds stop abruptly—
must be taking notes?

Snow (February 6, 2007)

Unwelcome snowfall.
Four inch blanket covers ground.
Abandoned bike rack.



Grocery shopping
plethora of canned pleasures.
Semi-home cooking.



My pangs of hunger
induce hallucinations—
Turkey sandwich dreams.

Sleepy (September 25, 2006)

Lindsay fights slumber.
If not for espresso shots,
I would feel her pain.


When the lights turn off
I see dropping heads go down.
A video day.

to Nap or Not to Nap (September 18, 2006)

Every morning
I promise my eyes a nap ...
each day — a liar.


Surprisingly cold.
I wear my denim jacket
first time since may.


I pay the price for
irresponsibly long nights—
Lisa addiction.


Fingers inform me
I resolve to let them bet.
The air has gone dry.


I crack my knuckles.
Some people despise the sound.
I can tell which ones.


They think I take notes.
My writing hand gyrating—
This haiku becomes.


Through the blinds are trees
green and yellow twirling
covering the ground.


Every girls I see
I think about her naked—
Automatically.


Journalist speaker.
Such passionate examples
and "et-cetera."

Caribou-ku (September 16, 2006)

Large decaf mocha
skim no chocolate shavings.
—Drink evolution.


Skim turtle mocha.
Trying to stay skinny huh?
—Fifteen grams of fat.


Come to work groggy.
Ten caffeine doses later
still just as sleepy.


Low fat cinn chip scone
still has twenty grams of fat
false advertising?


Tall macchiato—
Unpleasant surprise coming.
Starbucks simpleton.


Do you serve Baily's?
Early morning, demanding booze?
I can't help you sir.

Work Sucks (September 14, 2006)

After opening
I sleep away my whole day.
Five hours of work.


A full parking lot …
People begin complaining.
Six in the morning.

Weekend Salvation (September 13, 2006)

A labor of love
replaced by gears and plastics.
Espresso machine.


Chicken McNuggets.
I can’t afford not to get—
six for ninety-nine.


After class I work
then tomorrow I open.
Weekend salvation.

School (Septemeber 11, 2006)

USB Flash drive.
UofM computer lab.
Make off with some loot.


I can see my breath
but sitting in a classroom?
Someone crank the heat!


Time for a new clock.
Every several years of wear
broken snooze button.

Thursday (Septemeber 7, 2006)

Surprised every time—
All of the ugly people...
Some of them by choice!


I have bought no books.
Teacher claims their importance.
Got enough firewood.


My thirtieth sneeze.
Running nose formed a puddle.
Allergy attack.

Worklag (September 05, 2006)

I am so sleepy—
When my eyes finally shit
I dream of sleeping.


Working an open...
It isn't in my nature
Steadfast night person.

Last Day of Summer School, Bit Late (August 4, 2006)

Lame presentations.
An Altoid keeps me awake
curiously strong.


A four-day headache
agitated by bad habits:
staying up all night.


We earn a free lunch
from the PermCoat company
—Can we order booze?

My Mind Past Midnight (August 2, 2006)

Car on a highway.
empty in all directions
speeding profusely.


A lifetime's thinking
can occur in just one night—
but to remember...


Sigh of surrender;
my eyes snap to attention.
I prepare some tea.

Mario Haiku (July 29, 2006)

The common koopa:
Mostly harmless to humans
Slaughtered for their shells.


Green spotted mushroom
grown in brick and mortar blocks—
second chance at life.


Floating marshmallow
He can't help the way he is,
the cutest undead.


Although uncreative
he has determination.
Kidnap the princess!


Professor Toadsworth
The princess's retainer
You know what that means.


FLUDD water device
Mario's swiss army knife
and comic relief.

Tough Wednesday (June 15, 2006)

Demand masonry?
Take your hallow threats elsewhere
Madrid will be mine.


Pulled an all-nighter
before a three hour class
—Civilization


In my morning grog
I hunt for a pop machine.
School of management.


Vault energy drink
seventy-eight grams of sugar?
Bottled heart attack.


Thirty minutes pass
before I realize
I'm not listening.


Very abruptly
puts on her denim jacket...
She must have noticed.


Ten minute break.
I ponder leaving early;
the angel prevails.

Summer Class (June 12, 2006)

Weeks of all-nighters
into a ten AM class.
I long for a nap.


Managment teacher,
she looks like a ball buster,
she probably is.


During the lecture
I resist checking the clock
Always a letdown.

River Falls (June 9, 2006)

amazon dot com
We hunt for hidden treasure
elusive goomba.


Late night excursion—
Under glowing street lamps
we share our feelings.


Digorno Pizza.
Every time we get tripsy
midnight snack of choice.


Lisa drinks me jokes
while I take shots of whisky
her jokes are tipsy.


Jamie not herself
Is it Ben or period?
I give it one guess...


Lisa writes haiku
who's quality threatens me
Good thing I love her.


Lisa wears no bra
I can tell by her nipples
My pants get tighter.

Underwear Shopping (May 23, 2006)

Underwear Shopping
at Frederick's of Hollywood:
Presents of Lisa.


Extra extra large—
Who would buy a thong that big?
Looks like no one does.


Robyn and Tina
Coordinated purchase.
Underwear sisters.


Hot days of summer—
even though the air is thick
toilet seats are warm.

Jaime and Lisa (May 18, 2006)

Pad Face eats Pad Thai—
is it cannibalism
or just irony?


Lisa and Jaime
dialogue tuns sexual.
Thai food restaurant.


Don't let your guard down
clubs and bars in the city—
cougars on the prowl.


Dr. Mario:
L knows pharmaceuticals.
J knows excuses.

Lisa's Graduation (May 13, 2006)

Eight pages of names
but only one with value
Our lovely Lisa.


Babies are cellphones
That can't be put on vibrate.
Leave them at home please.

Pink Slip (May 3, 2006)

Birthday week begins
on an unfortunate note.
Party on friday.


To the management:
I hope you get paralyzed
sooner the better.


If I had the power
to cause cancer with my thoughts—
UCS outbreak.


I lighted the load
with the help of liquor,
and a few good friends.

Load Off (April 26, 2006)

Final projects done
I feel thirteen pounds lighter.
Three tests remaining.


Out in a T-Shirt
I'm sick of it already:
Minnesota spring.


Pencil like a knife
Teacher evaluations;
I hold nothing back.


Brace for the river
Anything but a diamond...
—Seven of diamonds.

Bruno in Trouble (April 24, 2006)

My rebellious child,
expelled from the dog kennel—
Fight instigator.


I pick up Bruno
and take him to McDonalds;
double cheeseburger.


Bruno needs a bath
after the battle royal
I got one as well.

Domino's Pizza (April 21, 2006)

Quadruple seven
Domino domination.
Orgy of pizza.

Leaning Tower of Pizza (April 18, 2006)

The Leaning Tower
uncharted territory
--Celery pizza.


Hot bloody mary.
A flame kindles in my guts
--A spicy future.


Some drink after work,
sympathy for the absent:
gossip festival.


Justin's last week here
UCS without poker?
What a fucking beat!


Robyn and Tina
express thier lesbian love.
Boys with erections.


Bob and Tina chat;
clitoral conversation--
Happy to eavesdrop.

Passover (April 12, 2006)

I leave class early
under Judaism's guise.
Happy passover.

Nap Hunger (April 10, 2006)

Outside birds chirping,
excited about the sun,
wake me for my day.


Everyday in class
I plan on napping later
never follow through.


It's finally warm:
flaunt it if you got it girls!
-Way ahead of me.

Routine (March 29, 2006)

My bedtime thwarted—
friendly instant messages.
That's what friends are for.



Crossword-puzzle class.
the Minnesota Daily.
Lecture provides ambience.



Giant burrito;
double meat, guacamole.
Ten dollar monster.



Grey glow though my blinds
pissed off I do my routine.
Bike seat wet from rain.



My computer works:
harvesting information.
Fishing for torrents.

Doom III (March 23, 2006)

Zombie hamburger
Chain-saw ends their moans and growls
Trusty Beavertooth.



A zombie crumbles;
I scan through his PDA:
Dr. Frank Lamia.



I'd give my pinky
for a case of shotgun shells.
Mag-light lacks in range.

Blizzard (March 15, 2006)

Lonely stoplight
cycling though it's pattern
for a single car.



Poker mistreats me.
All statistics fall apart
when you're running bad.



As soon as snow melts
the clouds unleash punishment .
A ten-inch surprise.

Last Day 'for Break (March 9, 2006)

Queen of diamonds cries;
the diamond king unfaithful.
Slut—Queen of hearts


Dozing through classes
I look forward to coffee.
Make up for my loss.


Buttons on my coat
ponder their experience
with me—and before.


Low-life professor.
I try to pass the class-time
by wishing ill-will.

Hate School (March 6, 2006)

A gigantic mug—
too big for coffee or tea
perfect size for soup.


Multiple choice test,
like jigsaw word puzzle.
I am good at those.


Douche-bag manager
false sense of accomplishment
an enormous head.

I Hate School (February 22, 2006)

Less students in class
with each passing meeting.
Sand in an hourglass.



Going to bed so late
I only dream on weekends.
Weekdays are all "snooze."

Winter Still (February 21, 2006)

Heavy handedly
the winter proves it's presence:
Negative twenty.



A lurking vulture
frostbite follows me to school
as I ride my bike.



I punch in at work
a cup of tea and some jokes
some work on the side.



Cracking my knuckles
annoying for some, I know—
but I am addicted.



Awful professor.
if you have a heart attack
I wont feel bad.

Biking to School (February 15, 2006)

Miserable bike ride—
The frigid wind of needles
tries to steal my hat.



Bike to school each day
three years I attend classes
haven't learned a thing.



Another lecture—
sounds like Charlie Brown's teacher.
Each class is the same

Wednesday as aids (February 8, 2006)

Notebook goes missing
and all the haiku with it,
yet to be processed.



Frivolous lawsuit
iPods cause loss of hearing?
Common sense — gets raped.



Is he poor or rich?
My subconscious wonders
as I rake his chips.



A boy and girl flirt.
Makes me wonder if they know
how obvious it is.



The cold room gets hot
after three hours of class—
gyrating bodies.

Russian Class (January 25, 2006)

Russian saturation.
Half the class, native speakers
half americans.



High school portages?
Or just obnoxious natives?
Only time will tell.



Talk amongst themselves
I can't help but listen
Fein non-fluency.

iPod (January 23, 2006)

Girl in my classes.
I sit near her in them both.
One last semester.



I use my ipod
as I ride from class to class.
I fit right in.

Broken Watch (January 17, 2006)

My naked left wrist
is now a familiar sight.
Trusty watch— Broken.



School begins a new
as if it never ended.
I can't wait to learn.



The first day of class
six people already tardy.
I bet they get Ds.

Dress to Get Screwed Party (January 14, 2006)

Bra and underwear
everyone wants to do it.
I give an excuse.



Two dozen wet towels,
We resorted to laundry
to dry hot tubbers.

Holiday Time (December 29, 2005)

I buy no one gifts
Laziness and frustration
this christmas season.



A break from homework
I spend more time on haiku,
or online poker.



A feeding frenzy
the online aquarium
but the fish prevail.



The absence of school
The presence of sleepiness
It is without end



My life wastes away
"Be productive" say to self
Fuck yourself I say.



The first time in months
I notice the chirping birds
Have they always been?

In Class (December 9, 2005)

Avian bird flu.
Fear pours from every output.
I am not afraid.



Internet poker.
Finally on the wagon
among all the fish



A sushi lunch break—
two spicy tuna hand rolls:
Financial sinkhole.



Christmas approaches.
I prepare my bank account
to prove all my love.

asdf (December 7, 2005)

Almost Christmas break.
Ten school days and one paper
stand between us.



Causing pain and blood loss.
Three hangnails work together
parched by dry air.

Weekend (December 4, 2005)

The Chinese food curse:
Drink without satisfaction—
Soy sauce poisoning.



On the highway home
one wrong turn, turns into twelve.
The Ayde Mill exit

Wednesday (November 30, 2005)

Only four days old
already it's a fixture—
A blanket of snow.



A little water,
the frigid grasp of winter—
A broken bike lock.



The cold attacks me
but it offense is thwarted.
An armor of fur.

Tuesday (November 29, 2005)

Cold falls from the sky
snow flakes dancing in the wind
chilling air and ground.



Bucket of cold air
knock the groggy out of me.
Natures stimulant.



Buried by paper...
At least I don't have finals
technically speaking.



Dark at four PM.
Perfect climate for napping—
I always regret.

After Thanksgiving (November 28, 2005)

Enormous food plate—
happily I consume it.
Thanks Mrs. Solem.



I sleep thirteen hours.
Hugging my bed and my dreams.
Three days in a row.



My darling Lisa:
I would spend infinite time
if only I could.



Cold rainy bike ride.
"We wont do much today."
I should have skipped class.

First Snowfall (November 16, 2005)

First snow has fallen--
my emotions bittersweet
at seven A.M.



A frozen bike lock.
My breath defrosts the keyhole.
A bit light headed.



Once crowded bike rack
proudly stands in the snowfall
for the few bikes left.



Twenty four degrees.
Only badass bikers left.
Wimps got bus passes.



Inside my backpack
a frozen dinner thawing.
The teacher lectures.