Beach Adventures And Falling In Love: Summer In A Haiku | WFAE 90.7 - Charlotte's NPR News Source

Beach Adventures And Falling In Love: Summer In A Haiku By Casey Noenickx Published July 1, 2019 at 5:00 AM EDT Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Listen • 6:57 Scott Bakal for NPR

People love summer. We heard they love haiku too. Put those together ...

Last month, to help mark the official start of summer, we asked our listeners to share their thoughts, feelings and memories of the season in the form of a haiku. We were overwhelmed with

the responses — in all, more than 4,000 listeners wrote in.

The haiku you sent us evoked all kinds of summer memories. Some said summer reminds them of ice cream or trips to the beach. Others shared precious memories of young love.

Our own staff got in the mix too. Morning Edition's Rachel Martin said summer reminds her of catching lightning bugs. NPR's resident poet, Kwame Alexander, said summer reminds him of playing

stickball.

Taken together, the submissions we received were a collection of unique memories with relatable feelings. Here are some of our favorites.

Cotton candy smiles and merry go round horses in soft sudden rain —Cindy Guentherman, Loves Park, Ill.

Child of immigrants Ripe tomato, fresh basil Old flavors, new world —Sam Fiorello, St. Louis

The sweetness of dates Allah at your fingertips Ramadan Kareem —Amalia Clark, St. Paul, Minn.

Captain calls "Fish on!" Wrestle the rod. Grab the net. Fresh salmon tonight! —Thom Gillis, Livonia, Mich.

Iced tea on the porch Cicadas sing a sweet song Welcoming sunset —Grayson Tung, Austin, Texas

Tanned moms lounge poolside Children laugh, splash, jump, dive, shout, Eat plastic wrapped treats —Linda McDonald, Minnesota

Too hot to cuddle Fan on high near my pillow Only touching toes —Julia Robinson-Rosendorff, Boston

Me gusta salir para caminar solo pensando en ti —Espiridion, Mundelein, Ill.

Running late for Pride crowded subway with brother a crowd that I loved. —Samuel Keene, Middletown, N.J.

Embers are our light, Lost in the smoke dancing close, Warmth surrounds our heart —Megan Hiatt, Richmond, Ind.

Fireflies dancing, Newborn smiles of heart's delight, Oh! Look! It's pure joy. —Katya Evanhoe, California

I Love the Ocean I like making sand castles I like jumping waves —Ruth Hale Thom, Falls Church, Va.

But mom, it's light out Honey it's time to sleep now Daylight savings sucks —Todd Hudson, Brighton, Mich.

Bare feet to the beach we race, chasing wild roses, to the cheering seas —Sally A. Lloyd-Jones, New York

Finally — green grass For acrobats and laughter Somersaulting glee. —Mary Soufi, California

Up early to walk Along the murmuring brook Where green leaves whisper. —Kathy Quimby Johnson, Vermont

Neighborhood hydrant sprinkling water in the air cools my child's warm skin —Lisa Manting, New York

Anticipation First dive into chilly sea Invigorating —Mary Loftus, Cape Cod, Mass.

Late night adventures In the ocean looking up Constantly dreaming —Jessica Tran, Massachusetts

Independence Day I struggle to free myself from a wet swimsuit —Susan Antolin, Walnut Creek, Calif.

Cooked by leather seats Thick air like a wool sweater Night brings no relief —Tobi Gardner, Cincinnati

The smell of hot Earth Permeates the wooded shores As mosquitoes binge —Josselyn Ryder, London

Never have I felt Closer to insanity Than covered in bugs —Josselyn Ryder, London

Set a reading goal Library trips twice a week How much can I read? —Jancee Tabacnic, Richmond, Ky.

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