Norman and I get into my car parked across the street from Thai Deli where we just had lunch. It’s hot so we wait for the AC to kick in and cool down. He points out the beautiful petunias on the sidewalk in front of us. They’re purple, planted in pots, and placed on both sides of a doorway. Playing with the ‘p’ sound, I come up with a line that has seven syllables in it. I’m reminded of The Red Wheelbarrow by William Carlos Williams and think of a similar opening. Noticing the backdrop, I finish the last line of the haiku. Coincidentally, I later discover it has the same word ‘white’ in it. I return the next day to take this photo to go with it.
Potted Purple Petunias Poem
Haiku in Homage to William Carlos Williams
there’s something about
potted purple petunias
by a white brick wall
©Ken Chawkin
July 31, 2017
Fairfield, Iowa
Tags: a poetic homage, flower poem, haiku, Ken Chawkin, Norman Zierold, purple petunias, Thai Deli, The Red Wheelbarrow, William Carlos Williams
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