Wisconsin Haiku ( 3 lines, 5/7/5 syllables per line=17 total)
Note: My goal here is to tell the story of my Wisconsin visit in the July of 2023 with a series of verses developed in the format of the Haiku concept of three lines and 17 syllables. Line one has five syllables, line 2 has 7, line 3 has 5. These vignettes are told within these limiting constraints to keep the story simple and moving along from one verse to another. I am no expert in composing poetry in the Haiku format, but I enjoy the challenge of trying to get a complete thought both in explicit and implicit construction and to maintain the interest of the reader. The photos that accompany each of the date divisions are meant to add meaning to the words. I do not expect that it will work in all cases, but it is fun to try.
Jay
6/30-7/3/23
Decision now made
Haiku shall be the approach
To tell this story.
Driving long, tough miles
The price for future rewards
Will I persevere?
Countryside beckons
As the place for weary bones
Subtle joys surprise.
Been here thee filled days
Delaney’s, UW Terrace,
Walks and quiet talks.
I sit buy the pool
Monday, on a sunny day
Writing these verses.
Note: My goal here is to tell the story of my Wisconsin visit in the July of 2023 with a series of verses developed in the format of the Haiku concept of three lines and 17 syllables. Line one has five syllables, line 2 has 7, line 3 has 5. These vignettes are told within these limiting constraints to keep the story simple and moving along from one verse to another. I am no expert in composing poetry in the Haiku format, but I enjoy the challenge of trying to get a complete thought both in explicit and implicit construction and to maintain the interest of the reader. The photos that accompany each of the date divisions are meant to add meaning to the words. I do not expect that it will work in all cases, but it is fun to try.
Jay
6/30-7/3/23
Decision now made
Haiku shall be the approach
To tell this story.
Driving long, tough miles
The price for future rewards
Will I persevere?
Countryside beckons
As the place for weary bones
Subtle joys surprise.
Been here thee filled days
Delaney’s, UW Terrace,
Walks and quiet talks.
I sit buy the pool
Monday, on a sunny day
Writing these verses.
7/4/23
Haiku constraint makes
The summaries challenging
But breeds clarity.
Independence Day
Fireworks and Democracy
Precious gifts to hold.
Arboretum walk
Flowers, trails, forests, boardwalks
Listen to Enya
Westmorland Park
4th of July memories
Revisit with joy
Brats and conversing
With friends in Madison West
Shared experiences.
Fire works on TV
Patriotic songs in concert
Freedom rings for now.
Haiku constraint makes
The summaries challenging
But breeds clarity.
Independence Day
Fireworks and Democracy
Precious gifts to hold.
Arboretum walk
Flowers, trails, forests, boardwalks
Listen to Enya
Westmorland Park
4th of July memories
Revisit with joy
Brats and conversing
With friends in Madison West
Shared experiences.
Fire works on TV
Patriotic songs in concert
Freedom rings for now.
7/5/23
Golf at Glenway
Course where I learned the tough game
At eighty, I suck.
A quiet Wednesday
At Countryside apartments
Recovery time.
Afternoon of rest
Prolongs the joy of travel
Welcome a new day.
7/6/23
An unscheduled day
Four cheese soufflé and coffee
Panera inspires.
Unsuccessful search
For a haircut trim nearby
Still shabby and wild.
Read a book today
And finished another story
A way to pass time.
Dinner with Kristine
Lombardino’s the food choice
Great conversations.
To love or not love
A dilemma for this old gent.
Consider the “why.”
7/7/23
New Glarus bike ride
A struggle for the unfit
Finish with pizza.
Friends Ann, Ren and I
Converse about our long lives
Sharing old and new.
Mini HomePod plays
Nora Jones sings haunting blues
With my friend, Jim Beam
An unscheduled day
Four cheese soufflé and coffee
Panera inspires.
Unsuccessful search
For a haircut trim nearby
Still shabby and wild.
Read a book today
And finished another story
A way to pass time.
Dinner with Kristine
Lombardino’s the food choice
Great conversations.
To love or not love
A dilemma for this old gent.
Consider the “why.”
7/7/23
New Glarus bike ride
A struggle for the unfit
Finish with pizza.
Friends Ann, Ren and I
Converse about our long lives
Sharing old and new.
Mini HomePod plays
Nora Jones sings haunting blues
With my friend, Jim Beam
7/8/23
Art Fair off the square
With friend Ann, our morning goal
Gift of wood products.
Lazy Jane’s follows
Coffee and conversation
A pleasant morning
I lost my red hat
Have no clue where to look
Off to buy two more.
LL. Bean for pants
U.W. Book store for the hats
A stop at Apple.
Yearly reunion
Edgewood friends meet together
Old memories live.
At home by eight
I read my current spy novel
Wander off to bed.
Art Fair off the square
With friend Ann, our morning goal
Gift of wood products.
Lazy Jane’s follows
Coffee and conversation
A pleasant morning
I lost my red hat
Have no clue where to look
Off to buy two more.
LL. Bean for pants
U.W. Book store for the hats
A stop at Apple.
Yearly reunion
Edgewood friends meet together
Old memories live.
At home by eight
I read my current spy novel
Wander off to bed.
7/09/23
Classmate, Father Jay
Said Mass at Queen of Peace church
Happy connection.
Finished one more book
On to another one soon
May have to buy more.
Ride to theater
Along Wisconsin highways
Pleasant talk ensued.
“Our Town” was the play
Story of life, love, and death
Final theme, “Eternal.”
Sally drove me home.
Old friend, rarely seen now days
We talked like the past.
Classmate, Father Jay
Said Mass at Queen of Peace church
Happy connection.
Finished one more book
On to another one soon
May have to buy more.
Ride to theater
Along Wisconsin highways
Pleasant talk ensued.
“Our Town” was the play
Story of life, love, and death
Final theme, “Eternal.”
Sally drove me home.
Old friend, rarely seen now days
We talked like the past.
7/10
Morning black coffee
At Panera’s, a toasted bagel
Where to walk today?
Haircut at Great Clips
First in line, ten minute trim
Does the job for now.
A trip to Costco
Newly opened in Verona
Purchased same old stuff.
Arboretum walk
Number two, afternoon sun
Shady spots only.
Schedule is quite filled
This week of Lynn’s visit
Need to pace myself.
I found my lost hat
Falling by my bedroom bench
One hat is now three.
Morning black coffee
At Panera’s, a toasted bagel
Where to walk today?
Haircut at Great Clips
First in line, ten minute trim
Does the job for now.
A trip to Costco
Newly opened in Verona
Purchased same old stuff.
Arboretum walk
Number two, afternoon sun
Shady spots only.
Schedule is quite filled
This week of Lynn’s visit
Need to pace myself.
I found my lost hat
Falling by my bedroom bench
One hat is now three.
7/11/23
It was laundry day
Just like in Carolina
Often life repeats.
Another book on deck
Older times, London sewers.
One more mystery.
Walk behind Edgewood
Shady wood, mid-summer stroll.
On Lake Wingra’s shores
Met a man walking
We talked about walk greetings
Good afternoon, best.
College Professor
UW and UM, Big Ten
Pleasant, friendly chat.
Photos of the Lake
In the latter stages of death
Green lily pads float.
Trader Joe’s to shop
Lynn arrives later today
For some family fun.
We ate at Great Dane
Wine not good, but food was fine
Much conversation.
It was laundry day
Just like in Carolina
Often life repeats.
Another book on deck
Older times, London sewers.
One more mystery.
Walk behind Edgewood
Shady wood, mid-summer stroll.
On Lake Wingra’s shores
Met a man walking
We talked about walk greetings
Good afternoon, best.
College Professor
UW and UM, Big Ten
Pleasant, friendly chat.
Photos of the Lake
In the latter stages of death
Green lily pads float.
Trader Joe’s to shop
Lynn arrives later today
For some family fun.
We ate at Great Dane
Wine not good, but food was fine
Much conversation.
7/12/23
Lynn needs a Starbucks
To begin the walk and talk
Along Monona’s shore.
We walk with purpose
Along the breezy shoreline
Exercise wins out.
Lunch at Amara’s
With Ann, Lynn, Sally, and me
Rainy day wonder.
Stop at Katy’s place
Native American fine crafts
Purchased cards for friends.
Brats dinner tonight
Watching TV and talking
The news never thrills.
Heavy rains today
Attacks a serious drought
Cooler temps result.
Quiet night at home
Let’s me write a little more
On this summary.
Lynn needs a Starbucks
To begin the walk and talk
Along Monona’s shore.
We walk with purpose
Along the breezy shoreline
Exercise wins out.
Lunch at Amara’s
With Ann, Lynn, Sally, and me
Rainy day wonder.
Stop at Katy’s place
Native American fine crafts
Purchased cards for friends.
Brats dinner tonight
Watching TV and talking
The news never thrills.
Heavy rains today
Attacks a serious drought
Cooler temps result.
Quiet night at home
Let’s me write a little more
On this summary.
7/13/23
Up and down State Street
Shopping for the secret prize
But finding nothing.
State Street Brats for lunch
With Spotted Cow and chips
And a great waitress.
We chatted outside
On newly finished tables
After Maxwell Days
Afternoon pool swim
Comfortable summer day
Refresh and relax.
Dinner at Kristine’s
Pulled pork, salad, and red wine
Dinner talk was “deep.”
Great time together
Lots more talk after dinner.
The “deep” explored more.
Up and down State Street
Shopping for the secret prize
But finding nothing.
State Street Brats for lunch
With Spotted Cow and chips
And a great waitress.
We chatted outside
On newly finished tables
After Maxwell Days
Afternoon pool swim
Comfortable summer day
Refresh and relax.
Dinner at Kristine’s
Pulled pork, salad, and red wine
Dinner talk was “deep.”
Great time together
Lots more talk after dinner.
The “deep” explored more.
7/14/23
Breakfast at Panera
To start a busy Friday
Will end with friends.
But first a day of rest
With a book and some shopping
Later party waits.
Lynn and I decide
To spend some time at the pool
We talk of the day.
Cocktails with our friends
Baked Brie, cool drinks, and some talk
Preface to dinner.
Dinner at Quivey’s
Fish, the dinner choice for all
Old stone house setting.
Progress to dessert
At Brad and Ann’s pleasant home
Porch setting with rain.
Renewal of friends
We met ten years past on trip
Tuscany the place.
Breakfast at Panera
To start a busy Friday
Will end with friends.
But first a day of rest
With a book and some shopping
Later party waits.
Lynn and I decide
To spend some time at the pool
We talk of the day.
Cocktails with our friends
Baked Brie, cool drinks, and some talk
Preface to dinner.
Dinner at Quivey’s
Fish, the dinner choice for all
Old stone house setting.
Progress to dessert
At Brad and Ann’s pleasant home
Porch setting with rain.
Renewal of friends
We met ten years past on trip
Tuscany the place.
7/15/23
Another lake walk
A talk with Susan on parks
Two miles added on.
Coffee at Lakeside
On the deck, next to the lake
Gently blowing breeze.
My sister rejects
The vanilla latte with ice
Recall for next time.
Lynn needs cash at Chase
To Hilldale with my Escape
And some more shopping.
Mid afternoon drive
To Paoli, a small farm town
For music and fun
With Jim and Sara
Ann, Lynn, and I sipped our drinks
And rocked with the band.
Sitting outside worked
As we talked, listened, and danced
Base, guitar, and drum.
North and South for food
And much more pleasant talking
A great afternoon.
Delany’s the choice
For a nightcap and more talk
Day to remember.
Another lake walk
A talk with Susan on parks
Two miles added on.
Coffee at Lakeside
On the deck, next to the lake
Gently blowing breeze.
My sister rejects
The vanilla latte with ice
Recall for next time.
Lynn needs cash at Chase
To Hilldale with my Escape
And some more shopping.
Mid afternoon drive
To Paoli, a small farm town
For music and fun
With Jim and Sara
Ann, Lynn, and I sipped our drinks
And rocked with the band.
Sitting outside worked
As we talked, listened, and danced
Base, guitar, and drum.
North and South for food
And much more pleasant talking
A great afternoon.
Delany’s the choice
For a nightcap and more talk
Day to remember.
7/16/23
Third Sunday at Church
Bacon and eggs soon afterward
On my deck with Lynn.
Drove by old house
Then parents’ cemetery
Garden work needed.
Scottish Open Golf
Rory McElroy close win
Favorite golfer
Amari for dinner
But decided to change venue
Choice Lombardino’s
We ate Bruschetta
Pizza with drinks at the bar
Talked with Virginia.
Monroe street ice cream
Tasted great as a chaser
Home by seven.
Lynn’s last night in town
Busy five days, lots of fun
One more week to go.
Third Sunday at Church
Bacon and eggs soon afterward
On my deck with Lynn.
Drove by old house
Then parents’ cemetery
Garden work needed.
Scottish Open Golf
Rory McElroy close win
Favorite golfer
Amari for dinner
But decided to change venue
Choice Lombardino’s
We ate Bruschetta
Pizza with drinks at the bar
Talked with Virginia.
Monroe street ice cream
Tasted great as a chaser
Home by seven.
Lynn’s last night in town
Busy five days, lots of fun
One more week to go.
7/17/23
A family day
A head with a short drive
To Lake Geneva.
We start at Starbucks
With coffee and some more talk
The morning begins.
Jim, Ann, and Pat
Join us for a lakeside lunch
Exchange memories.
Madison beckons
Lynn has left and returned home
Alone again for now.
Drove through Janesville
By old Milton Avenue house.
Little change on outside.
Highway 39
Is brand new and three lanes wide
Breeze to navigate.
Lake Geneva Lunch with Cousins
A family day
A head with a short drive
To Lake Geneva.
We start at Starbucks
With coffee and some more talk
The morning begins.
Jim, Ann, and Pat
Join us for a lakeside lunch
Exchange memories.
Madison beckons
Lynn has left and returned home
Alone again for now.
Drove through Janesville
By old Milton Avenue house.
Little change on outside.
Highway 39
Is brand new and three lanes wide
Breeze to navigate.
Lake Geneva Lunch with Cousins
7/18/23
I walked Owen Park
With many trails and flowers
Up and down dirt paths.
Hit some more golf balls
Not so badly on this day
Swing slow with left hand.
Relaxing home day
Watched crazy television
Took it quite easy.
Dinner at Ollie’s
Hamburger, fries, and white wine
Talked with new friend, John.
Vonnie, the bartender
Born in China, and adopted
Was a great delight.
Dessert, mint chip cone
The Chocolate Ice Cream shop
Monroe Street nearby.
I walked Owen Park
With many trails and flowers
Up and down dirt paths.
Hit some more golf balls
Not so badly on this day
Swing slow with left hand.
Relaxing home day
Watched crazy television
Took it quite easy.
Dinner at Ollie’s
Hamburger, fries, and white wine
Talked with new friend, John.
Vonnie, the bartender
Born in China, and adopted
Was a great delight.
Dessert, mint chip cone
The Chocolate Ice Cream shop
Monroe Street nearby.
7/19/23
To day I plan to hike
So I start with Panera food
Think what I should bring.
Walking sticks, water
Will make the walk possible
And more than just fun
Day with Ann and Sara
Delightful to spend with friends
One more super time.
We walked Parfrey’s Glen
Uphill with rocks, a bubbling creek
I crossed the water.
The challenge was great
So I stopped and turned back
We talked in descent.
On to Devil’s Lake
We watched the calm, cool waters
And talked of the day.
Ann and I move on
To Wollersham Winery
We have a good lunch
I take some photos
Of flowers and winery
Wisconsin landmark.
To day I plan to hike
So I start with Panera food
Think what I should bring.
Walking sticks, water
Will make the walk possible
And more than just fun
Day with Ann and Sara
Delightful to spend with friends
One more super time.
We walked Parfrey’s Glen
Uphill with rocks, a bubbling creek
I crossed the water.
The challenge was great
So I stopped and turned back
We talked in descent.
On to Devil’s Lake
We watched the calm, cool waters
And talked of the day.
Ann and I move on
To Wollersham Winery
We have a good lunch
I take some photos
Of flowers and winery
Wisconsin landmark.
7/20/23
British Open golf
From Liverpool by the sea
Links courses are tough.
EVP Coffee
Next on my morning todos
Chance to write a verse.
One more time at golf
At the Vitense driving range
Some sucessful shots
Perhaps I will play
Returning home to the south
A golfing Mecca.
To Kylee’s Cottage
For wooden wine and chip plates
Pickup Saturday..
I walked Marshall Park
On Lake Mendota’s west shore
Took many photos.
Hamburger dinner
I stay at home for a change
Just a TV night.
British Open golf
From Liverpool by the sea
Links courses are tough.
EVP Coffee
Next on my morning todos
Chance to write a verse.
One more time at golf
At the Vitense driving range
Some sucessful shots
Perhaps I will play
Returning home to the south
A golfing Mecca.
To Kylee’s Cottage
For wooden wine and chip plates
Pickup Saturday..
I walked Marshall Park
On Lake Mendota’s west shore
Took many photos.
Hamburger dinner
I stay at home for a change
Just a TV night.
7/21/23
Watched the Open
In the early morning sun
Beautiful golf course.
Walked with friend Kristine
On Picnic Point with its views
Third visit with her.
Thinking about home
Where it is hot and humid
Two day drive ahead.
Went through the car wash
To clean off the sappy tree stuff
New experience.
Union Terrace calls
Last time for music and views
Some beer and onions.
Great singer on stage
Young voice with writing talents
Enjoyed listening.
Finished with ice cream
And watching people go by
The UW still rocks.
Watched the Open
In the early morning sun
Beautiful golf course.
Walked with friend Kristine
On Picnic Point with its views
Third visit with her.
Thinking about home
Where it is hot and humid
Two day drive ahead.
Went through the car wash
To clean off the sappy tree stuff
New experience.
Union Terrace calls
Last time for music and views
Some beer and onions.
Great singer on stage
Young voice with writing talents
Enjoyed listening.
Finished with ice cream
And watching people go by
The UW still rocks.
7/22/23
Began packing bags
Anticipating driving home
Leave early Sunday.
Panera breakfast
For last time in Madison
Four cheese soufflé, coffee
Arboretum walk
With Ann along shady paths
New walking for her
Coffee at Barriques
And further conversation
About friends and life
Made it to QP
For evening folk song Mass
Friend Jay said the Mass
Dinner at Nelsons
With Sally as a birthday guest
Joyful conclusion.
Began packing bags
Anticipating driving home
Leave early Sunday.
Panera breakfast
For last time in Madison
Four cheese soufflé, coffee
Arboretum walk
With Ann along shady paths
New walking for her
Coffee at Barriques
And further conversation
About friends and life
Made it to QP
For evening folk song Mass
Friend Jay said the Mass
Dinner at Nelsons
With Sally as a birthday guest
Joyful conclusion.
7/23/23
Long hard drive today
Made my Knoxville desired goal
Chose Fairfield motel
Light meal at Chop House
Beer and some talk at the bar
In room by seven.
Played with these verses
Struggling for precise words
To tell the story.
7/24/23
Early morning start
I drive through construction
And navigate trucks.
I arrive at noon
Condo looks good, I await
Family visits.
End of a great trip
Madison rocks as my town
Mt. Pleasant welcomes.
Long hard drive today
Made my Knoxville desired goal
Chose Fairfield motel
Light meal at Chop House
Beer and some talk at the bar
In room by seven.
Played with these verses
Struggling for precise words
To tell the story.
7/24/23
Early morning start
I drive through construction
And navigate trucks.
I arrive at noon
Condo looks good, I await
Family visits.
End of a great trip
Madison rocks as my town
Mt. Pleasant welcomes.
