in my medicine chest
declares residency…
gazing at the mirror
a face hard to recognize
2011 San Francisco International Competition Haiku, Senryu, Tanka, and Rengay
Reprinted in Mariposa
Judge's Comment: The apparently effortless humor of the poet adds lightness to this tanka and makes it stand out from other submissions. But there is something more: a conflict present in the last two lines. This tanka led me toward another reading of Salad Anniversary by Machi Tawara. For this I thank the poet.