Some attempts at writing Kwansaba. They are not the best examples but I am still learning the style. The Kwansaba was invented during the 1995 EBR Writers Club workshop (in East St. Louis), consists of seven lines of seven words each; each word must contain no more than seven letters. Exceptions to the seven-letter rule are proper nouns.

1.)
--Without you they won’t have a chance 2--


fight for them, you care about them
don’t leave them lost on others arms.
Look out for them, little ones playing
On streets covered in remains amidst dreams
Broken forgot lost in slums of plenty.
Can’t let them sink into sickly dismay
Hold kids up for glory and hope.

        By: David E. Howerton
2.)
--Without you they won’t have a chance--

Fight for those you care about don’t
leave them sitting lost on other’s arms. 
Look out for the little ones playing
on streets covered in trash amid dreams
broken forgot lost in ashes of war.
Don’t let them sink into dismay too.
Hold your kids up for glory eternal.

	By: David E. Howerton
3.)
--Still you find many looking in dark--

When last star sinks into dark aeons
drained tired dim voices hang on edge
get quieter every eon. Trying too hear
the few still talking afraid being last.
In dark quiet, Night rules, these ages.
Laughs at few strange songs riding dark
as even atoms wind down before rebirth.

                By: David E. Howerton
4.)
--Late night want coffee--

I'm tired empty cup to close bedtime
bad movie for company for nap try
waste evening hands twitch belly aches damn
hope there's a little left in pot
got some coffee old cold and bitter
takes mind off bad movie bad taste
bush teeth get ready go to sleep

                By: David E. Howerton
5.)
--Late afternoon turkeys nest night comes--

Sit here watching the sun setting orange
red almost color of fresh blood fades
with night coming. Watch birds fly across
road sinking into canyon where nests hide.
Evening rush loud quiets after setting sun
leaving gentle wind and little songs of
tired birds settled for longer fall night.

                By: David E. Howerton
6.)
--A trip at rush hour beware assumptions--

Holding still clouds tumble on their way
into Sierra Nevada's for first fall snow.
Quiet down on streets waiting for rain
turn to window watch cars speed along
chasing dreams of warm and easy times
at homes in hills where clouds hang.
Sneer at those sharing road for same.

                By: David E. Howerton
7.)
--Turkey morning--

With those birds you can't tell what
going on tails up heads held high.
Looking for mates in meadow by road
seek comfort in clover in a dance.
As hens eye big bright old Tom
who's led since they were little chicks.
Ones most apt to survive, charm them. 

		By: David E. Howerton
	
8.)
--Toward the turns that start again--

Long after dark came we called out
hoping to hear an answer before the
long fall into rebirth someone else saved.
Maybe we'll make it through next rebirth
where few will be until we're old.
Hope next ones given birth live long
enough length they may see our birth. 

		By: David E. Howerton
9.)
--These are --things good night--

Down in quiet places where coyotes run
live oaks hang heavy with fall colors
and turkeys dream of spring in evening
fog. Drifts outline trees in gray distant
wispy softens traffic noise evening starts slow.
Time for long book cup of coffee
a blanket enough light to read by.

		By: David E. Howerton
10.)
--the game--

Over aeons even protons grow tired wishing
short burst into primal ball for rebirth. 
Turning gravity into matter and life again.
Again in aeons the long climb up
and a reach to stars rainbow hued;
beyond where borders forever waiting next chance
life's attempt to break through higher realm. 

		By: David E. Howerton
11.)
--Sent them quick don't wait do more--

It's there dark room keeping phone quiet
typing hitting keys watch words build quick.
Darkroom on screen subdued words get stronger
turn into poems and things print out
send on rounds to editors to publish
with a little luck and some stamps
next year maybe later most come back.

		By: David E. Howerton
12.)
--Enjoying adventures and icecream--

I'm happy holding hands looking into eyes
during sunsets bright and soft orange red
gray and green with you and wind.
Making good memory that time almost here
when confined to bed lost in pain
each good time we had I hold
as sinking covered in sweat you fade.

		By: David E. Howerton
13.)
--Turning bright red blue flowers--

Brown at edges, bounce with gentle wind
as sun rides to noon opens wide
bright draws eyes and insects deep in. 
Summer grows old petals drop colors fade
proud erect begins hanging, droops with advent
fall. Fields brown yellow bits blown in
wind few red blue petals still hang. 

		By: David E. Howerton
14.)
--Night looking search--

trouble sits barking colored green seeks door
spits at all coming near snarls nothing
only wants let in where games happen. 
Takes joy from people only wanting hope. 
Leaves most hurting now goes digs deep
sucks marrow from hope. People hollow eyed
jittery with pain looking for escape route. 

		By: David E. Howerton
15.)
--Little goes unnoticed--

Down lanes where oak hang heavy I
walk watching worms crawl on the road
takes a smile and wind comes talking
blows leaves along, water on the road
though no cars travel not dark yet
and things have stayed quiet gives me
feeling of warmth about these back roads. 

		By: David E. Howerton
16.)
--I've been waiting cold weather--

Been waiting cold weather cloudy skies and 
wind blown rain feels good on face
hands and hair touched in cold bright
pulls me out self pity, why me's 
and helps me get out of chair
go for walk even slow with smile
and sweat drips doesn't hurt feels alive. 

		By: David E. Howerton
17.)
--Finding place nap in sun--

Along deer trail a mile from house
crosses creek shallow only two feet wide
smells of rotting leaves near by under
sun warmed a large flat gray rock
flat enough to lay on soaking warmth 
from rock and sun eases the pain
two months best nap yet after chemo. 

		By: David E. Howerton
18.)
--As years turn gray--

Broken glass peeks from leaves, fall blown
remains of wine bottles long since dry
the parties we had, dreaded growing up
wanted only to stay below elders radar.
But that seldom happens things go wrong. 
Well it's not to bad always another
chance. Getting better as years go on. 

		By: David E. Howerton
19.)
--As with everything--

At edge where time has run down
stars are few, and dim. Someone still
stands looking at last few burning stars
now all life is at point where
what time left has to be lived. 
Quick before long dark covers them all
after aeons a new spark life returns. 

		By: David E. Howerton
20.)
--It's part of a circle--

Packing boxes make lists get ready for
that day a month or two away
when stuff needs selling, time to cry
hope somehow won't end. Can't bring myself
to lay down and give up. Life
has plenty of hope even when dying
and you can't hold much of it. 

		By: David E. Howerton 
21.)
--Having a good day things hang in hair--

Bad hair pulled back hope it's unseen
few known would care but that's good
some find joy in looking for answers.
Back from hiding get feeling I'm not 
alone in hanging hair behind dirty ears
but then there are days with beads
and little bells hanging just the thing.

		By: David E. Howerton
22.)
--Every place holds a few--

You look and they are there hiding
in corners and under chairs where they
like shadows and quiet that fills beneath
where we don't visit trust in breeze
to pull them out a cross floor and
out door into yard where they're unseen
and breed quick in yard. Dust Bunnies.

		By: David E. Howerton
23.)
--Hold onto you begin warmth--

Begin watch sun poke over old oaks
wisps of mist tamper bright morning have
another pocket of dried fruit with you
when morning is young and eyes gunked
brings each moment close and dear for
us before long day builds its blocks
that wash away in shower with spouse. 

		By: David E. Howerton
24.)
--Bringing Flowers--

Being tired doesn’t end your need for
A hug. Nor does it stop mine,
But that’s okay you bring me flowers.
They light up this room and our
Tears are hidden in hugs. Your face
On my chest hides pain of being 
Held I can tell they told you.

		By: David E. Howerton
25.)
--don't have the energy to go out today--

Having you here seeing shadows on walls
turning with light just normal day but
that's what comes when sitting shades closed
light seeps in leaving traces on walls and
in clouds of dust motes that linger
in every house wind and bird calls
are the only friends that come today

		By: David E. Howerton
26.)
--Where you hid should've been for the innocent--

Haven't a clue do you? Didn't think?
Looked at them as victims not human
didn't you? Holding your flag over eyes
refused to look at what was done
in your name. Blood soaked hands wrapped
in a flag kept you out of ....
Couldn't believe we'd find out did you?

		By: David E. Howerton
27.)
--Six in the morning coffee already--

At drift in kitchen warmth, make oatmeal
begin a pot of coffee and toast 
brings scents that make us drool waiting. 
From kitchen window road seen traffic slows
morning rush started to early for sun
there's not much light, and belly full 
coffee in hand read paper toast drivers. 

		By: David E. Howerton
28.)
--one thing to watch for--

Bent twigs broken leaves litter forest path
bear coyote scat partly hidden be careful. 
Looking for poison ivy by trail can't
be to careful being laid up itching
covered in lotion. Having to think about
not pulling nails across small red rash.
Still turn to walks in woods for calm.

		By: David E. Howerton
29.)
--On side of road getting pissed--

Broke the damn thing and got away
left us stuck here waiting for tow.
Drifted into night no one here yet
but what else is new you knew
that there wouldn't be anyone along soon. 
Flat tire no spare cloud burst too
kept sitting here where did you go?

		By: David E. Howerton
30.)
--Now it's been done smile--

With a yell all the words fell 
from my mind onto this page. Look 
a small poem that isn't still born
change from how most of them go. 
Yet the smiles of kids reading them
warms the heart. Lifts weight from soul
some deeds go free and bring value.


		By: David E. Howerton
31.)
--In age you'll remeber--

Once on way to castle a unicorn
nuzzled a maiden on little used path
hung over old oaks who whisper stories. 
She hugged its neck its horn glinted
in dappled light distant drums its beat.
A gift of old gods before running
into woods a memory for old age. 

		By: David E. Howerton
32.)
--hungry children have import too--

She holds court looking down at us
speaks to us of goals beyond stars.
My kids haven't eaten two three days
where went silos of grain we farmed
for the times of nothing that come.
I want to think of stars but,
when kids cry they seem far away.


		By: David E. Howerton
33.)
--Sometimes you have to look differently--

"I'm looking nothing goes, but you insist."

"Try!" "Haven’t you learned work at it." 

"Well, that's better now. You're getting it."

"Some time it just takes an effort."

"Looking at a job with others eyes
helps give new way of looking at
getting it done." "I'm proud of you."

		By: David E. Howerton
34.)
--Fall, weeds sag flowers gone--

Gray brown stems hang dust and mold
bring closer next springs rebirth. Bland yellow
where each plant still hangs over ground
waiting the fall into rebirth. Insects call
drift on wind nibble at dry grass
when rain comes smells great little things
return. Down among weeds brown gray life. 

		By: David E. Howerton
35.) 
--Where books rest old gods tremble--

Having been lost until now some think
should have stayed in deep quiet woods
old pines and oaks litter covered paths 
in secret runic lore from before man.

Most we are lucky too not hear
buried under basalt’s in ruined temples deep
beneath old forests waiting for new gods.

		By: David E. Howerton
36.) 
--Nothing's Forgot--

Hold brief whisper old tales rocky runes
etched by lichen moss mold edged magik.
Gets old gods singing songs from when
oldest oaks were young. Young Coyote laughed
drank some beer with Odin not gray. 
Silly writing future history rubbed sheep’s skin
octopus ink and bits of solid sun. 

		By: David E. Howerton
37.) 
--Hold begin overgrown path--

On path old digger pines needles cover
no people noise, gets far down here.
Bent limbs shape runes old magik grows
gives small quiets where nature speaks strong.
Some old ways whisper Coyote Raven Bear
other and more. At edge wait return
sanity. Humans lost in morass selfish touch. 

		By: David E. Howerton
38.) 
--Field Mice Go Pause--

Down in weeds brown gray mostly flat
wind soft gentle whisper scent trails glow
in dry grass. Not much except maybe
house cat pounces wanting to play I Life.
Toss mouse catch let run a little
bring it back let play dead awhile
bat with paws chase again get bored. 

		By: David E. Howerton
39.) 
--Broken branch’s glitter--

Bare branch’s bow and wave winter rain
traces of summer cling. Dew draped leaves 
clutter ground leave runes old spells sigh. 

Whisper songs old gods wander forest paths
in winters grip wait end times battle.

Drunk on tales born before the Christ
speak gently of heaven and old old Earth.

		By: David E. Howerton
40.)
--a good day in canyon--

Damn, spent to much time with people
all that came was pain sorrow loss
down lost ways found little for hope.
Got burnt to often became shy of
getting near found peace in long walks
under gray pines wind blowing talking with
myself while sun sinks west find peace.

		By: David E. Howerton
41.)
--after so long it's still strong--

Can't quite forget pain that started then
doesn't seem right being held by past
when you left. But now it comes 
as strong as then pulling at heart
and soul grief doesn't really go away. 
Grief fades some times but the callus
is thin comes off easy tears return.

		By: David E. Howerton
42.)
--When you thought it safe slapped--

Just dug out photos of you then
began feeling tears coming didn't want them
too. Then what choice was given I
went outside walked under gray pines until
felt ready to look again, but pain
still there and I haven't forgot you
or not being there twenty years later.

		By: David E. Howerton

Copyright (c) 2005 , 2006 David E. Howerton