30 Days of Dads: The Collected Dadku of Brian Braiker, Volume I

You may know Brian Braiker from his Twitter handle, @slarkpope. His offbeat wit belies the fact that he's a Real Journalist who's contributed to Newsweek, Rolling Stone, People, and a bunch of other publications, and who now works as an editor for ABCNews.com. He is cooler than you or I because he rolls with Bootsy Collins. Despite his journo-cred, Brian's true love is haiku, specifically the sub-genre of haiku - known to the Japanese as dadku - that focuses on fatherhood. He is a master of the form. We'll be bringing you some of his better-known works throughout the month of June. Kampai!

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Since becoming Dad

My heart has increased in size

So has my liver

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Of all lovers past,

Your embrace I mourn the most. 

Why'd you leave me, sleep?

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Coffee gives me strength

To get me through the morning.

And so does coffee.

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You are correct, child.

Your sister looks much better

Without so much hair.