The Fear That Has No Name

I'm introduced in glowing terms at the University Women's Club. Looking out at their expectant faces I say, "I'll begin with a story that is sure to tickle your fanny."

There's a moment of silence, then a roar of laughter.

I try to recover by saying, "Thanks, I've never had such a good response to one of my stories and I haven't even started telling it."

Later that day, I email a co-editor of a journal about the contents of the next issue and type in "Janet, I've looked over your titles ... " A wave of fear sweeps over me and I quickly check the sent message to see whether I had typed in a second "t" instead of the "l".

spring sun
a cluster of bellybuttons
in the garden

published in the British Haiku Society Haibun Anthology