It’s December 29, and I still haven’t been able to utter more than one “ho” at a time. Christmas Week has seemed gray and sluggish (or, is that me?). I’d complain about there being no snow, but I really don’t like dealing with snow, other than looking at a picturesque scene or two.
Given this lack of holiday spirit and inspiration, I’m more than ready for the year 2006 (of the Common Era) to end, and for 2007 to arrive, with its tenuous promise of new attitudes and aspirations. Meanwhile, a few more seasonal haiku and senryu might be in order, followed by a bath of poems from my friend Yu Chang, who has been battling a nasty holiday flu — contracted in L.A. and brought back home to Schenectady, thanks to our highly-mobile populace and life style.
steeltown Christmas
drizzle blurs
the neon welcome
christmas night
a candle burnt
half way down
. . . by MATT MORDEN
“steeltown Christmas” – The Heron’s Nest, Valentine Award (2002)
“christmas night” – morden haiku, Dec. 25, 2006
week after Christmas 
an empty throne
in the mall
cold moon —
a moment of hesitation
years ago
. . . by John Stevenson – “cold moon” – The Heron’s Nest VIII:4 (Dec. 2006)
christmas eve
i give the mall santa
a jump
christmas eve…
we yank two ton
from the # 4 mine
christmas…
there ain’t enough coal
to put in the stockings
. . . by ed markowski 
the year’s first sky
gives a gift…
snow flitting down
no one to give
New Year’s presents to…
little hut
the chicken is treated
to one…
New Year’s herbs
even our fleeting snow
becomes
Buddha!
. . . by Kobayashi Issa, translated by David G. Lanoue
small sad face
in the puddle —
last weekend’s snowman
wintry mix –
a snow buddha
and a mud buddha
last week of the year
ice floes rush
to the waterfall
. . . . by dagosan
“small sad face” – a procession of ripples; orig. Simply Haiku V4N3
“wintry mix” – Clouds Peak #1 (July 2006)
“last week” – Roadrunner Haiku Journal Issue VI: 1 (Feb. 2006)
Yu Chang, featured poet, Dec. 2006, Mann Library Daily Haiku
winter sun-
through my office window
amaryllis in bloom
starry night
biting into a melon
full of seeds
cold morning
a pair of ducks watching me
watching them
left behind
at the mountain lake
silence
still thinking of her
the sticky threads
of the severed lotus root
time for breakfast
my cat’s tail
in the headlines
deepening dusk
a canoe comes in
with the fog
winter moon
through the grape trellis
squares of light
first frost
a homeless man appears
in the new development
mountain lake-
basking
in your reflection
. . . . . by Yu Chang, from Upstate Dim Sum, etc. 
p.s. I just found a shiny, unwrapped package under my tree — the latest edition of the Roadrunner Haiku Journal – let’s open Issue VI: 4 together and share.
David,
Thanks for the Christmas plug, I hope you and your readers enjoy the latest issue!!
Comment by Jason — December 30, 2006 @ 9:08 pm
David, thanks as ever for the plug and a Happy New Year to you – hope the muse continues to find you in 2007. matt
Comment by matt — December 31, 2006 @ 2:45 pm
david,
here’s to a grand!!! 07.
ed
new year’s eve…
the reflecting pond
thaws
Comment by ed markowski — December 31, 2006 @ 5:20 pm
Thanks to each of you for visiting this recently-sporadic website and for helping to make it so fine. Best New Year’s wishes back at all of you.
Around here, the ponds haven’t had a chance to freeze yet. No ice-fishing this winter. Which reminds me of last year:
mild Christmas
the ice-fishing hole
mostly hole
Comment by David Giacalone — December 31, 2006 @ 7:36 pm