Fourteen Days

By Grace Yu & Sarah McNaughton

This is a collection of haikus written between January 10 and January 23 that captures our combined experiences.

JANUARY 10, 2021: Sad sunflowers
When trying to write
don’t be afraid to wander
lost thoughts sunflowers.

(“I don’t usually
give in to peer pressure, but
I’ll give in to yours”)

Mom says my uncle’s
alcoholism has won
again. I’m so sad.

JANUARY 11, 2021: Glorious purrs
Bach is reverent
while I do my math homework:
products glorious.

Cat’s extra cuddly.
Although he still bites sometimes, 
those purrs are worth it.

JANUARY 12, 2021: Bloodshot country
No sleep, eyes bloodshot
chemistry test tomorrow
hope I can do well.

We are all grieving
a country that’s rarely been 
worth celebrating.

JANUARY 13, 2021: Motivate joy
How to motivate
myself to write this essay
that’s due on Friday?

Don’t forget, dear girl,
the simple joy of music 
while going for walks.

JANUARY 14, 2021: Drowned wonder
Amid constant noise
my head is drowned under storms
pray sunlight comes soon.

I always wonder:
Does anyone like group work?
If so, who are they?

JANUARY 15, 2021: Honest weekend
My work is complete
just music school tomorrow
time for honest rest.

A long weekend is 
a treasure we all deserve 
more often, I think.

JANUARY 16, 2021: Melodious life
The music erupts
Hours upon hours silver chords
melodious song.

I am so grateful 
for where I’ve gotten these days.
This life is all mine.

JANUARY 17, 2021: Late iron
Late to my concert
thanks to tech problems. At least
I watched some Marvel.

So tired lately.
Wait—did I take my iron?
Well, that’d do it.

JANUARY 18, 2021: Freedom power
Thank God for Martin
Luther King Day: no school, just
honoring freedom.

When an email from 
an abusive ex comes in,
don’t give him power.

JANUARY 19, 2021: Worth heartbreak
It’s probably bad
that I take so many naps.
Oh well. It’s worth it.

Buoyed and hopeful 
by those around me… I try. 
But I fear heartbreak.

JANUARY 20, 2021: Don’t hit rock bottom
Procrastination
is an art. Don’t try telling
me otherwise. Don’t.

Cautiously happy.
The country’s hit rock bottom—
it’s time to ascend.

JANUARY 21, 2021: Fly out
I have a feeling
that I’ll be staying up late.
Thoughts fly clear at night.

I should go out more.
I really miss the mountains.
A hike would be nice.

JANUARY 22, 2021: Closer hope
The midterm exams
loom closer: a poor way to
end the semester.

What will things be like
five years from now, I wonder?
Hope for joy, not fear.

JANUARY 23, 2021: Teenager secrets
This is the reason
why I go to music school.
Earn music secrets.

Recalling my words
written as a teenager:
It can be so tough.

Process

For 14 days, we both wrote haikus that summed up our experiences each day. Then, we combined words from both of our haikus to create a new free-verse poem into a design that merged our individual thoughts and feelings.