Yeah! We have 6 different strands going! To join in, choose any strand and write a new haiku using the last line of the last haiku in the strand.

Or, for the more creative or stubborn, start a new strand by using the last line of the foundational haiku (that’s the one that’s at the beginning of each strand). Or riff on any existing strand by writing new haiku after the 2nd or 3rd or 4th one, thereby creating a new strand like a new branch of a creek.

1
Bluebells and tulips
should never be both in bloom
But still—such beauty

But still—such beauty
the deer jawbone parched in mud,
teeth, even, intact

teeth, even intact,
ache, throb, clenched after reading
ice melts, white bears, dead

2

Bluebells and tulips
should never be both in bloom
But still—such beauty

But still – such beauty.
Seattle springtime washes
everything in gray.

3
Bluebells and tulips
should never be both in bloom
But still—such beauty

But still–such beauty
A forest of pink petals
Cherry trees in bloom

4
Bluebells and tulips
should never be both in bloom
But still—such beauty

But still—such beauty
the deer jawbone parched in mud,
teeth, even, intact

teeth, even intact,
ache, throb, clenched after reading
ice melts, white bears, dead

Ice melts, white bears, dead.
we pretend a misty dream;
Santa’s North Pole cold.

5.
Bluebells and tulips
should never be both in bloom
But still—such beauty

but still, such beauty!
laugh lines kvell bubbe’s punim,
to hell with botox!

to hell with botox!
chicken fat, patent pending,
fresh from the schmaltz pot.

6.
Bluebells and tulips
should never be both in bloom
But still—such beauty

But still–such beauty
A forest of pink petals
Cherry trees in bloom

Cherry trees in bloom
Petals fall, tears one year
after tsunami

The founding haiku:

Bluebells and tulips
should never be both in bloom
But still—such beauty

A response from Lisa Wujnovich:

But still—such beauty
the deer jawbone parched in mud,
teeth, even, intact

My response to hers:

teeth, even intact,
ache, throb, clenched after reading
ice melts, white bears, dead

AND we have other first day responses you can use to launch your next haiku in the chase!

But still – such beauty.
Seattle springtime washes
everything in gray.
Dane Kuttler

but still – such beauty
in the deep of new-found grief
shattered love revived
Lynne McEniry

But still–such beauty
A forest of pink petals
Cherry trees in bloom
Debra D’Alessandro