The stuff of nightmares.

I don't know anything about poetry. But I like this. Powerful.
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Thanks.

I was just complaining to a poet friend that I never did like the haiku format as I found it limiting.

Because it's three-versed, this doesn't count as a haiku, but I thought I'd mess around with the structure.

The one thing I really do like about haiku is how it forces restraint in wording, so you have to work for the poem's impact.

Not sure I succeeded particularly well here, but.

Nicely done.

I think you succeeded extremely well. Telling a compelling tale
in three haiku. I'm envious. I'm still trying for the one.

gripping. thank you.

Dakini, thanks. I couldn't do it in one either. Hence three. ;-)

This rips my heart out.....

Powerful poem!

Oh! What a nightmare.

Jaw dropping haiku. Please let this be your fiction.

No mother or father should ever get this visit. Very powerful.

Your spare poem is powerful.

As the mother of sons, I read this while holding my breath. Beautifully done, Leigh.

Well said, and well written. Thumbed.

Stark reality is best served with as few words as possible -- as you have done here. Hate the subject, love the treatment.

I missed that it was haiku -- maybe because of the three verses. But I quite agree that haiku forces one to think -- and for some reason feel, too.

Oh, that's pretty effing wonderful. And so sad. And you know what? It's what I'd consider doing. Just don't answer the door.

Nice use of the 5-7-5. :)

I don't care what structure you use, your words hold the power of every mother's worst nightmare. You honor them all here. And gave me chills. Good thing I talked to my son tonight.

I like it

What Steve said is so true.
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I like this. It reminds me of the scene in Saving Private Ryan, where they come to notify the mother that her sons are dead. She sees the car driving up to the farm and just knows. And does the bravest thing - she goes out to meet them on the porch, but is felled anyway, with the news it is not one boy/which boy, but three of them. It was a very powerful visual - mostly b/c I knew it was actually played out again and again and again way too many times.

Thanks everyone for the thoughtful read. Much appreciated.

Very well done, Leigh.

so good!