Rooftops: A Collection of Haiku

by Xanthos Likes, Art by Zerin Likes and Lily Gao

Rooftops
My last, greatest step
That will take me far away
And break my mom’s heart

What do rooftops see? The quiet thoughts. The big questions. The absurd. The heartbreak. The laughter. The step.

In Rooftops, poet Xanthos Likes explores the in-between moments of life, those fleeting moments when we’re stuck between growing up and breaking down, between saying goodbye and holding on. Custom artwork by Zerin Likes and Lily Gao, brings the poems to life.

This beautifully illustrated haiku collection blends thoughtful reflection with sharp wit, offering a rooftop view of the world that’s at once funny, heartfelt, and true. Whether it’s navigating the loss of a friend, longing for freedom, or wondering why we can't all be potatoes, all of it is captured in 17 syllables.