Kata #1
Is this what you call luck?
It's always about to go sour or need some attention.
Is life like a nagging sore throat you can't shake?
It's a soft breeze in the head—no! a warm sip of tea.
Kata #2
Why is there music on?
No, and yes, it's a sample loop.
Is it the Jackson Five?
We wouldn't want any real thought to take place.
Kata #3
Can you write a check?
It seems to have deteriorated along with my old identity.
Yeah, is this your year?
I have no ID.
Kata #4
Am I lucky?
The music is soft and relaxes me.
Is there music?
Of course, I have you.
* Ralph-Michael Chiaia says… “Fatwas have been issued. Dossiers have been compiled. Still RMC (aka Mthe Punjabi RMC, Parliament/Ralphadelic) looms. Wanna join the revolution? Then contact him and his compadres at http://formonksonly.blogspot.com where you can purchase Chiaia's new chapbook from Coatlism Press.”
* Editor's note… These are kata or katauta – they do not follow the modern haiku format but instead have a rhythm based on one breath per line, with question and answer in a logical ellipsis.
