Don Kingfisher Campbell

Summer School Senryu

(1) PRE-TEST

It's like light rain

heard outside a window--

students writing.

(2) CLASSWORK

Binders opening

and closing--popcorn,

popcorn, popcorn!

(3) FRIDAY TEST

Chair leaning back,

looking for answers

in the ceiling.

(4) STUDENT DESK

Orange edged,

scraped wood butterflies

leave graphite droppings.

(5) NO LOCKERS

On the tables of

the Creative Writing class,

Algebra and Calculus books.

Dog Months

First party of summer

better be by June

August is the best,

those longest days

 

A pool is the accessory

for tanning in the sun

 

Sunbathe yourself to match

the watermelon you'll eat

Grill them steaks,

warm that chair

  

Hot dogs

and lemonade

 

Sprinklers on the lawn,

sun visor on your head

 

Mosquito buzz

around croquet mallets

 

Play badminton to the smell

of insect spray

Loud as thunderstorms,

lawnmowers roll on

  

Flowers leap open

as if to scuba dive in blue air

Time to take a volleyball

vacation 

 

After all, why does a lifeguard

wear a swimsuit

 

Except for the wet suit

getting full of sand

 

Fishing in the fall,

but for now, windsurfing season

 

Boating is especially splendid

with iced tea

Miniature golf is easier

than surfing, isn’t it

The real question is, campfire

or picnic

Nothing like road trip

hamburgers

Never forget to let your throat

ride the high tide of soda pop

Summering the nocturnal

There was a beast

in my bedroom last night

and it was me

The creature wanted

his lower nose

licked for attention

But that wasn't enough

he had to tongue

his favorite cave

Until an earthquake came

then his protuberance retreated

into hiding and out

Monstrous grunts could be

heard in the chamber

luckily it was dark

From what I tell you now

you'll know that sweat

accompanied a creative roar

After words a breeze

was switched on

by pleased sore claws