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Poems for Melanie

If Only: A Burning Haibun by M.S. Marquart

WeSocialWork

10 Aug 2026 — 1 min read

Two smiling women take a selfie in an office beside a bookshelf. The woman on the left points toward a displayed copy of Teaching Social Work with Digital Technology, while books, framed awards, papers, and office materials appear in the background.

First page of If Only: A Burning Haibun by M.S. Marquart, in memory of Melanie Sage, reflecting on eternalism and shared memories in New York City.

Second page of If Only: A Burning Haibun, moving from memories of Melanie’s support and death into a visual erasure poem, with most text covered by black blocks and selected phrases left visible.

Third page of If Only: A Burning Haibun, using black erasure blocks to leave fragments about enchantment, friendship, support during disability paperwork, Melanie’s death, and the simultaneous ache and joy of memory.

Final page of If Only: A Burning Haibun, ending with a brief stanza that gathers memories of Melanie and her death “all at once,” followed by a footnote crediting torrin a. greathouse with creating the burning haibun form.

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