Creaks, Pops and Hisses
Jeffrey Winke
 

In the hollow of the night is when I yearn for color. It's too dark. Everything is a gradation of black and white. Unheeded sounds are heard at turned-up volume. Creaks, pops and hisses sound almost threatening. I lay awake afraid. I'm afraid of sleeping. Sleep leads to dreams and their flip side: nightmares. I don't know why . . . but I'm feeling especially vulnerable to these dark forces tonight. I know they'll get me. I just know it.

pile of bills
the cat jumps from table to sill
scattering them

Jeffrey Winke is the co-editor of the first small press North American haiku anthology, the Third Coast Haiku Anthology, which was published in 1977. He has been writing haiku for over 30 years. His most recent book, What's Not There: Selected Haiku of Jeffrey Winke, is a 2002 Merit Book Award winner. His motion graphics haiku collection, entitled Chances, can be viewed at http//www.bytestudios.com/winke and has been designated a "Cool Website."

Jeff lives and works in Milwaukee. He is a PR counselor, magazine editor, and an adjunct university professor. His PR Idea Book: 50 proven tools that really work, has recently been published by Outskirts Press, Denver.

His website is: www.jeffwinke.com

Copyright 2007: Simply Haiku