Haiku or Hai-can't

I participated in a Secret Subject Swap writing challenge back in April in which my prompt was to create an Easter Haiku.

Let me tell you that it's a well established fact on this blog that I suck at poetry, even when I can write unencumbered by rules. 

But a Haiku is a very specialized form of poetry. It's written in only three lines and we all know I tend to be . . . well . . . wordy. It also sticks to a strict number of syllables in a specific order, generally 5 - 7 - 5. And because that's not enough of a challenge, the content is supposed to be two different components brought together seamlessly, one of them
frequently being a reference to nature. Apparently the only thing I'm not required to do is write it while standing on my head.

Nonetheless, a challenge from another blogger is not to be ignored. I wrote an Easter Haiku and a Passover one too. To all who read them and then wanted to scratch their eyes out, I once again apologize.

But today is about redemption. I am anticipating having both of my boys home for Thanksgiving and it's no secret that the one with a broken leg is long overdue for a hug. So I'm eager to write about my thoughts this season. Yes, even in Haiku format:

Anticipation:

Driving to the airport I'm

three hours early.

Shopping, cooking, prep.

Broken nails, burns on my arm.

Worth it, Thanksgiving.

Take two days to cook,

barely an hour to eat.

More time for those hugs.

Thanksgiving's full house:
Silence may be golden but
noise is medicine.

 Harvest Soup

Often life gets sour.

But looking round Thanksgiving

table, I see sweet.

Wine, appetizers,

turkey, stuffing, all the sides.

Race you to the couch.

Dinner time-capsule:

babies, toddlers, then young men.

I see all at once.

Home, when all are here.

Evening snow falls upon a

Mom smiling, content.

So . . . what do you think? Haiku? Or Hai-can't? 

Before you go, click on these links to more Thanksgiving poetry by some of my friends: 

Thanksgiving Haiku by Dawn of Spatulas on Parade.
Turkey Day Haiku by Robin of Someone Else's Genius. 
#ThankfulPoetry by Jules of The Bergham Chronicles.
Thanksgiving Poems by Candice of Measurements of Merriment.
A Time For Thanks by Steena of The Angrivated Mom.

Harvest Soup

                                                                        ©www.BakingInATornado.com
 
Printable Recipe
 
Ingredients:
small butternut squash
1 TBSP olive oil
salt and pepper
1 TBSP butter
1 small onion, chopped
3 cups vegetable broth
1 apple, chopped, I use Braeburn
1 1/2# fresh pumpkin, peeled and cubed or 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp salt 
1 can evaporated milk

OPT: roasted shelled pumpkin seeds for garnish
OPT: dollop of sour cream for garnish

OPT: serve with Cinnamon Cranraisin Pumpkin Bread

Directions: 
*Peel and cube the squash. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
*Drizzle the squash with the olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place on a baking sheet and bake for about 20 minutes or until soft.
*While the squash is cooking, melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook and stir until the onion starts to soften. 
*Add in the vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Mix in the apple, pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice and salt. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Add in half of the roasted squash (reserve the other half to serve as a side dish with dinner the another day) and simmer another 10 minutes.
*Carefully, in batches, puree the soup in a food processor and return to the pot. Add in the evaporated milk and simmer until hot.
*OPT: Serve with a dollop of sour cream and roasted shelled pumpkin seeds.