During the 2016 Split This Rock Poetry Festival, we asked participants to write a Haiku for President Obama. We're sending them to the president today!
The haiku written were on many different themes and social issues, including the Black Lives Matter movement, transgender issues, and drones. There were also many haiku thanking the president for his time in office and wishing him luck and happiness on the journey that will follow.
Reflecting blood
pool,
We drone on and on
and on.
I hear their cries
last.
–Michael Newheart
You shine in our time
All time waits with
held breath
Silence after drones
–Simone Roberts
Shine for your people
Black lives need your
brave support
I believe in you
–Nicholas Pierce
No home; a soft chair
in the warm library. Books’
pages open wide.
-Kim Leith
Chemicals can kill
Syrians have been
calling
For a no fly zone
–Eli J.
Outside the oval
Your actions have us
reeling
And lend us breath, too
–Lauren Kokun
Two blocks from the
White
House, poets are
brewing the
real revolution
–Anonymous
We will miss you lots
You have worked miracles
You are remembered
–Anonymous
Let your last act as
You have worked miracles
You are remembered
–Anonymous
Let your last act as
President be a repeal
of all term limits
#3 terms?
–Anonymous
Leonard Peltier
needs your attention now
needs your attention now
Grant him the spring
air!
– Nell Morningstar
I voted for you,
Bright black star to
blur hard lines
Shame on the wealthy whites' dark greed!
–Patsy Asuncion
Free Chelsea Manning
Free all trans
prisoners
You knew she was
right
–Tyler Vile
Barack’s drones bloom
the tulips in
Pakistan
are dying
–Jerry Fishman
I couldn’t be less
interested in the
office
of imperial power.
–Anonymous
Please release
release
Please release
release release
Leonard Peltier
–Nubia Kai
Spring comes to D.C.
Waning of your
presidency
Let bloom the
voiceless
–Phyllis
While those folks
spewed words
Of hate and
competition
We passed our Love
Poems
–John Rosenwald
I’m still holding
hope
Green shoot watered
by your words
The light in your
eyes
–Anonymous
Standing on your lawn
Your house is not as
good as
You grilling on your
balcony
–Christopher Carmona
Lame ducks still can
fly
Don’t let the
bastards rope you,
hold you down. You
soar.
–Margo Solod
Please release
release
Please release
release release
Mutulu Shakur
–Anonymous
Your imperfections
the work undone, work
unsung
Please stay strong,
be brave
–Carol Evans
Blessings dear Barack
Your lovely family too
Life, legacy goes on
on
–Carol Evans
Sit still not caring
About who hears the
trembling
In your fractured
heart
–Joya M. Latham
–Joya M. Latham
The spring has come
forth
Your departure has come
near
We need you to stay
–Anonymous
I know you hear us
And I know you want to
help
But it’s not working
–Bri Griffith
The hood is love
Don’t let them kill
us Barack
8 years gone too soon
–Anthony Morales
