Haiku

the old pawnbroker
pays not even one thin dime
for new war medals

kept from playing with toy guns
boys use their fingers instead

opera patrons pass by
the veteran leaning in trashcan
shadows in rain

From the Online Exclusives for the Fall 2007 issue of Inquiring Mind (Vol. 24, No. 1)

Originally published in Veterans of War, Veterans of Peace, (Koa Books, 2006). Reprinted by permission.

Translator and poet Gary Gach is editor of What Book!? Buddha Poems from Beat to Hiphop (Parallax Press; American Book Award), author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Buddhism (Alpha Books; second edition), and translator of three books of poetry by Ko Un, SSN. A teacher of Buddhism and haiku, he serves on the International Advisory Panel of The Buddhist Channel (http://buddhistchannel.tv). He hosts Mindfulness Fellowship weekly in San Francisco. Visit www.levity.com/interbeing.

By Gary Gach

From the Online Exclusives for the Fall 2007 issue of Inquiring Mind (Vol. 24, No. 1)

Originally published in Veterans of War, Veterans of Peace, (Koa Books, 2006). Reprinted by permission.

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