by Sarah Hyser
17 Syllables: A Love Story in 50 Haikus
By Sarah Hyser
1. 5.7.5
How can I tell you
in seventeen syllables
what you mean to me?2. Summer
Endless flowing stream–
How could you not be alive?
You make still rocks swim.
3. First Date
“You’re a good kisser.”
I smile against your lips.
“I’m so into you.”
4.
Where is the line break?
I found it. It’s over here.
I can’t find the oth—
5. Faded Lines
She said he’s real cute
and seems like a sweet, smart guy.
Who’s gonna tell her?
6. our planet is burning…
“Save our planet! Now!”
she tweeted from her iPhone.
She’s so ironic.
7. Falling for you
Me, ****ing your ****.
You, looking at me, thinking
Should I return? Nah
8. Untitled because it would give it away.
I know you read these.
Or at least see them. I wish
you’d say you like them.
9. Euphoria
Seeing you smile
makes my pupils dilate.
I guess I’m in love…
10. Puzzles
Two different puzzles.
The images don’t line up
But the pieces fit.
11. Flawless
“Don’t worry, you’re cute.
I don’t even mind your flaws,
(like the way you laugh).”
12. Surprises
I gave you something.
But you don’t like surprises.
That’s sad. I love gifts.
13. -[]’
I made you feel good
On at least two days this week.
I hope that’s enough.
14. Always talking
Bite your tongue, lover,
Or I will demote you to
Former acquaintance.
15. Round Earth
Earth’s not flat. If it
was I would have pushed you off
the edge already.
16. You&YourTree
Eyes of a serpent.
I’ll bite into your apple
while you stab my back.
17. Your birthday.
Sat and drank alone.
Thought of differences between
love, sex, and romance.
18. Distance
It turns out absence
Can’t make the heart grow fonder.
It makes it grow cold.
19. You&I
I’m not inspired.
Not by this. I want to be
swept off my damn feet.
20. Bi-ku
“Bisexual girls”
Is not synonymous with
“Promiscuous girls.”
21. Rolling Waves
Death is imminent.
Life is everlasting wealth.
Mother Earth collapsed.
22. Gloaming
Dusk is setting in
I can’t imagine sleeping
Without you here too.
23.
I miss your warm light.
You’re the sun and I’m the sky.
Now I am the night.
24. Cups
If you drew my soul
Would it look broken or whole?
Half-empty or full?
25. Just thoughts
The constant praise stopped.
I now ponder my purpose.
I question my worth.
26. Goodbye…
I know I should just
quietly forget you but
then my mind lingers…
27. Poets
Why do I write these?
The same reason sad boys Juul.
Sad girls will swoon.
28. My Birthday
There was a time when
you couldn’t wait to be this
age. Well, now you’re here. 🙂
29. Beautiful Girl
Hotter than the sun.
I will conquer life today.
I’m so powerful.
30. Dating myself
I don’t need your love.
I can love myself and I
can feed myself grapes.
31. 5’8”
With legs longer than
your last girl’s career. And she
walks through hell on them.
32. Not your body
Abortion shouldn’t
be debated between men
and men. Period.
33. Why I’m Single.
I am a soft four
with the confidence of a
strong eight and a half
34. Dating myself pt.2
Would you be my muse?
Say no. I am beautiful.
I will be my own.
35. Headed home
Traveling alone.
I am always headed home
each way that I go.
36. things are not going great for me
I know it’s too late
to say this, but I miss him…
Barack Obama.
37. What I learned
It’s not about form
It’s about capturing the
Beauty of the scene.
38. scoop me up
What’s your ideal date?
Let me rephrase: please take me
on your ideal date.
39. Aphrodite
We bloom in the spring.
Do you think of God’s beauty
When you think of me?
40. Whatever (the original)
I want you to know
that I really enjoyed… uh…
whatever that was…
41.Honeysuckle and sunshine
Your lips tasted of
honeysuckle and sunshine.
Your eyes melted me.
42. The heavens
Your mind is so vast.
I wonder if I know you
Just by knowing you.
43. Someone new
Meeting you seemed great.
Now I know meeting you was
serendipitous.
44. March Sun
“Your aura’s yellow.
You’re absolutely glowing.
I can’t look away.”
45. My sweet
The truth is, nothing
will be the same now that you
are part of my life.
46. Healing
You can not fix me.
But you make me feel worthy
Of fixing myself.
47.
I’ll show you your depth.
I’ll meet you in the ocean.
We’ll hit the bottom.
48. a love poem
You make me helpless.
It’s hard to stop kissing you
when we’re together.
49. Resolution
My pain might not end
But I love you for trying.
It makes it hurt less.
50. 5.7.5 pt. 2
I could not tell you
in seventeen syllables
what you mean to me.
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