Small-Town Killer
A Story in Haikus
Author’s Note #1: This format of storytelling, telling a story through haikus, is inspired by stories told by fellow Vocal user Thavien Yliaster. In particular, it is inspired by his story “Reunited”, which you can read here:
Author’s Note #2: This story-in-poems is based on a real-life murder case that happened in my hometown. You can read more about the case here:
A scream in the night
Unheard by all in the town
A silent whimper
*
The death came quickly
Murder by a bloody knife
Nowhere to be found
*
The husband, he claimed
Someone broke in and ran out
Leaving his wife dead
*
The rumors ran wild
People did not believe him
Chilling theories rose
*
He killed her for love
He killed her for the money
He killed her to leave
*
He insisted and
said, “The madman who killed her
is out and about!”
*
Half the town said yes
And half of the town said no
Torn down the middle
*
And then the day came
When the cops took him away
For his wife’s murder
*
The main evidence:
A compromising message
Left with 9-1-1
*
“I killed my wife, shit!”
Prosecution claimed he said.
“Blood everywhere.”
*
The trial went on
With high anticipation
Throughout the whole town
*
A guilty verdict
The jury then handed down
Sealing the man’s fate
*
An ugly murder
A stain on the family
Not the only one
*
Secrets in the dark
Skeletons brought in the light
Over months and years
*
Small town, perfect life,
And the perfect family—
Perfect end of life
About the Creator
Stephanie Hoogstad
With a BA in English and MSc in Creative Writing, writing is my life. I have edited and ghost written for years with some published stories and poems of my own.
Learn more about me: thewritersscrapbin.com
Support my writing: Patreon
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Comments (13)
Oh!! I loved this format Stephanie!! Very cleverly done!!
One that I'd missed and what I great way to tell a story
Awesome Haiku!!!
Oops, he really put his foot in it, hey 😮
Really cool
Wow, this is very impressive!
Nice work, Stephanie. I'll definitely have to investigate into that murder case story. My mom's always watching true crime shows and channels such as "The First 48," "Oxygen," and "A&E." I don't know why, but I'm reminded of the story of a man who tried to attempt a murder just so when he got to jail that the other inmates wouldn't mess with him. Originally he was going to jail for a more heinous crime. Even criminals have standards amongst themselves. When I read that "trial" line I was a tad perplexed and had to do some double checking myself. "Wild," "fire," and "wire" are common diphthongs that get people confused over syllable count and vocal expression. Try this line instead, "The trial quavered." I picked "quaver" as a synonym for the phrase "came and went." All-in-all, this is a great haiku story based on a tragic series of true events. Great work, Stephanie It's an honor to inspire another writer
ooo this is great and creepy. love how brutal it is and yet every word fits in a matter of fact manner that paints a vivid picture.
Awesome! You may be on to something. I’m sure others will try it. Well done!
writing is truly commendable,
Brillitanly done! The Haiku format is really effective, capturing the stark brutality of it all so well!
Poor woman. I'm so glad he was convicted. Loved your Haikus!
A surprisingly effective storytelling device! Nicely done!