A Silence Observed
I extend my left forearm during tai chi in the dark living room. That’s when I notice how quiet it is outside. No chirping. No tritonal repetitions of that saw-like cacophony.
No crickets!
The first frost has done its work.
Autumn dawn
that monotonous drone
of morning traffic
for dVerse Poet Pub’s Haibun Monday:
What memories or sensual experience can you claim when you think of a first frost? Perhaps it is the withering of the garden that you’ve tended so carefully throughout the summer, the anticipation of the work of harvesting and clearing out the yard in preparation for winter, the scent of earthy loam and moldering leaves, the brilliant colors that trees are boasting, the crisp cool air that fills your lungs on your early morning walk or the persistence of that sheltered rose bush that continues to delight you with her blooms.
For today’s Haibun, I ask you to dig into your memories or go outside to conjure up a poem related to first frost—SHIMO NO KOE. Remember, a Haibun is a brief, 1-2 paragraph of poetic prose followed by a true Haiku that includes a word or phrase that references a season.
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Categories: haikai, haiku community
lovely compression in this piece – and the ‘tritonal repetitions’ is great in both the reading and the saying.
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Thank you!
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That is perfect. And the Haiku! I hadn’t ever thought to myself about how the sound changes, but you are right.
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I love how very urban this is at the core, yet brings nature in just at the edge of consciousness.
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The perspective of true suburban living! 😀 thank you!
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I enjoy how you incorporate the contrast between the silence of the first frost and the rushing of the traffic, and bring it all into the deep practice of Tai Chi. I will return to see more of your blog when I am finished reading haibuns.
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Thank you, Victoria! And thanks for the wonderful prompt!
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I know the silence well… but alas also the drone of traffic… perhaps that’s why I love the autumn wind… it drenches the melody of wheels.
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Indeed!
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I’m for anything that silences the crickets. A cricket in the house is a maddening experience! Your poem is brief but beautifully descriptive!
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I hear you, Beverly. I enjoy them well enough when they’re outside! 😆
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There is the drone of traffic all through the year making the seasons the same.
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True, and never more evident than when nature takes her rest.
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I like the inclusion of Tai chi in this. It seems to go well with the form.
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Thanks!
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I love the inclusion of tai chi into this urban haibun. Doing both tai chi, akido, and kendo, I identify with this. the sound of autumn winds d sound peaceful to me.
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Beautifully observed, Frank! I love the silence of frost.
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Thank you, Kim!
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