Tim Gardiner- Haiku Sequence

Pripyat Pioneers

It’s been 30 years since the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 26 April 1986. The Pripyat Amusement Park was due to open on 1 May, but after a brief opening on 27 April, it was abandoned as evacuation from the area began. Rides include an iconic Ferris Wheel, bumper cars and swing boats. The Park has been reclaimed by nature since the disaster which shows how quickly wildlife can return when human influence is removed.

seed clock
who’s counting
the years

catkins sway
in a cool wind
swing boat rust

May Day sun
a bleached grass tussock
pushes up concrete

in the yellow
Ferris wheel gondola
a teddy bear

dodging
faded bumper cars
birch leaves



Dr Tim Gardiner is an ecologist and poet from Manningtree in Essex, UK. His haiku and tanka have been published in literary magazines including Blithe Spirit, Frogpond, and The Heron's Nest. His first collection of poetry, Wilderness, was published by Brambleby Books in 2015. He has published many scientific papers on natural history and several books, including one about glow-worms.