bashō

first day…
the turn of colors
in dawn’s chorus 

morning mist settles
dissipating birdsong 

foliage makes 
earth and sky one 
my memories stir 

sneezing
into the crook of 
my elbow  

my dreams captured
crackle by crackle  

stepping on
cicada shells
i shed my skin


Lakshman Bulusu 
Melissa Lemay