by Bob Raczka

Spring Haiku

If this puddle could
talk, I think it would tell me
to splash my sister.

Summer Haiku

Mosquito lands on
my cheek. I try to slap her,
but I just slap me.

Fall Haiku

From underneath the
leaf pile, my invisible
brother is giggling.

Winter Haiku

Last week’s snowman looks
under the weather. Must be
a spring allergy.

Copyright © 2010 Bob Raczka. From the book Guyku: A Year of Poetry for Boys. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Reprinted by permission of the author.

About this Poem

For the most part, these poems are about my memories of playing outside as a boy. Since they’re so short, I thought I’d include one for each season.

About The Author

Author of the popular art appreciation series, Bob Raczka’s Art Adventures, native Chicagoan Bob Raczka studied art and graphic design in college. He has worked as an advertising writer for more than 25 years.

A few years ago he “discovered” poetry, and now Bob calls himself a children’s poet as well. His first poetry effort, Guyku: A Year of Haiku for Boys, was awarded the Claudia Lewis Award for poetry by Bank Street College. His second poetry book, Lemonade: And Other Poems Squeezed from a Single Word, was named both an ALA and an NCTE Notable.

Bob’s upcoming poetry books include Joy in Mudville, a sequel to Casey at the Bat, a collection of haiku written by Santa, and a collection of clerihews about the Presidents.

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