Essays, Art and Plays by Dan

I was kind of excited that my comment on a poem was selected to be featured this week by the Haiku Foundation!

The poem:

prom queen
the short reign
of primrose
—Anne Fox
 Wales Haiku Journal, Summer 2025

My comment: 

They handed her that crown on a Friday night, gym lights flashing like fireflies in July, but it was barely Spring and the wind still bit like it meant something. She walked in slow, real slow, dress swinging like a screen door on a windy day, smile sweet as sugared tea, but her eyes said she knew. Knew that this was a flash and over in an instant. Just like a primrose, blooming too early out by the ditch, catching frost before it gets a chance to feel real sun. She shined, Lord, she shined — but beauty like early flowers don’t get to stay long. They clap, they cheer, they move on. Same folks who shouted her name now pass her downtown like she’s invisible. But she can’t forget. No way, no sir. She remembers the feel of that crown, plastic or not. The way they looked at her. The way her heart beat louder than the music. And even if it all faded faster than cheap perfume on a hayride, it was hers. Her bloom, her time. Maybe short, but it was wild, it was magical, and that was enough. First beautiful bloom in a cold field — that takes guts. That’s a special kind of queen if you ask me.

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