Live Oak Haiku by Grant Cross
Live Oak Haiku by Grant M Cross
Photography by ”Joobie” John Fleury Cover layout by “Cluck” Alvarado
What do I discern Lurking beneath your sorrows? Is that happiness?
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Further from the truth I was born a ramblin’ man Closer to death, God
Prance around the room Wood antlers, wooden partner Tango with the broom
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Collapse imminent Prepare for Armageddon Microwave popcorn
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Applaud the unknown We don’t know what we’re missing Possibilities
Bang, bang on the door Having just removed my pants I reply “hang on”
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Secrecy undone Spineless unfathomable Going out of style
After the attack I went to your dad’s shack & took a hot nap
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Juggle or play catch What it does, I do I am my worry
Unfounded concerns Transfer them into my account I will deal with them
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Win, lose, or tie, Dad Teach me how to tie a tie Worn loose or tightened
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Generous portions Gregarious hostesses Gift economy
Low-income housing Stretching for miles & miles Low or no income
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Get a part-time job Get another part-time job Quit your full-time job
Chop, chop, chopping wood Time is money, after all Trees growing slowly
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When I had a grand I’ll be honest, it was grand Decadent even
Loud louder loudest Situation clarity Low-end distortion
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  Time travelers throw stones Teleport point of impact Time traveler throws stones
Million-dollar car Most expensive thing I own Besides my garage
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Do me a favor Transfer me off the island It’s full of bad vibes
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No delicacies Delicatessens are fine But I draw the line
Pleasantries aside We do have surplus pleasure We’re looking to lease
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Not much time left now Your cell phone our only light The long night ahead
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What would we do if How I love falling in love Was how you fear death?
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I thought about it & I want you to feel good & make good choices
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Give speechlessness space Go silently toward the night Listen intently
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To tell you the truth I am sick & tired of men Behaving like boys
Exotic felines Undercover as housecats Wait for the signal
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Some of my friend’s friends Don’t know who they belong to Beats me, ask your friend
Simultaneously Amend two constitutions Consecutively
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Survivalist films Reveal the real animals Let’s have a party! 
Leper colony Founded by leprechaun monks Funded with gold coins
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Mansion on the hill Dormitory on the beach Lounge on the sea floor
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Give it up for her Alright, give it up for me Now give it back down
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Trampoline headache I think my brain hit my skull All that up & down
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The blank page stare down The self-referential start The redundant task
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To describe your sex In a mine shaft on a cart It’s like crème brûlée
Lengthy conclusions Intermittent decisions Short inventory
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Fifty/fifty chance We either die or survive Double down on death
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Oh, what have I done? I know what I did, but why? Why did I do it?
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Heart attack victim I lack your sincerity Go home, get some sleep
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She was naming names She was going out on dates With entrepreneurs
Waiting for the bus Are you reading my haiku? This is just a test
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Water, air, & land The only things worth loving Here on planet Earth
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Can I fit one more Exploratory finger Beyond the threshold?
Free range humble pie The burden we must endure To bring home the goods
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Terminology Language’s end-all-be-all For the time being
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Zine Series #2 2011