#Publication Alert (12/2/17): Mowing and Remembrance appears in Haibun Today! #haibun #haiku #poetry

Happy that my haibun Mowing and Remembrance appears in Haibun Today, December 2017, v.11, n.4!

Mowing and Remembrance

The old Yard Machine awaits. Dried out grass fills every groove in its tires. The hood, which snapped off its hinges snagging a low-hanging branch, loosely rests over the motor. One of its blades must surely have bent by now.

As I muster the will to use it, I imagine Dad riding it once more. He makes his precise, concentric ellipses across the yard—just the way he used to.

I start the motor. Reverse the tractor out of the garage. Set it onto the yard and begin—feeling like he’s still here.

fresh clippings
a longing to again hear
his complaints

Comments

14 responses to “#Publication Alert (12/2/17): Mowing and Remembrance appears in Haibun Today! #haibun #haiku #poetry”

qbit

December 2, 2017

Congrats!!

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1. Frank J. Tassone
  
  December 2, 2017
  
  Thanks, qbit!
  
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sanaarizvi

December 5, 2017

Gosh this is so poignant. The longing here is palpable and brought tears to my eyes. Sigh.. I guess we all feel nostalgic around the time of holidays.

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1. Frank J. Tassone
  
  December 5, 2017
  
  Indeed. I’m glad you liked it. Thanks!
  
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C Burtt

December 5, 2017

Isn’t it so that way Frank? The things they did that bothered us at times in their life, are things we miss later when they are gone. This is lovely and heartfelt. I can relate deeply. Thank you for sharing your heart with us!

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1. Frank J. Tassone
  
  December 5, 2017
  
  My pleasure, C Burtt. Thanks for sharing! We “never know what we’ve got, ’til it’s gone.”
  
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kanzensakura

December 5, 2017

Lovely remembrance. I too remember my father mowing our lawn on the riding mower that seemed to break down every other week. After he died, the mower died and refused to be restarted. I liked this so very much.

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1. Frank J. Tassone
  
  December 5, 2017
  
  Thanks, Toni! I often joke with my wife that I don’t need to visit his grave–just start up that Yard Machine and hit the back yard! Thank you for sharing your memory of your father. It’s touching that his mower would not work for anyone else!
  
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  1. kanzensakura
    
    December 5, 2017
    
    We couldn’t sell it because it just wouldn’t work. We gave it to an old friend for parts. He said when he went to take a part off, he started crying. I think after all these years, it is still in his back yard now covered with vines.
    
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thotpurge

December 5, 2017

Congrats Frank. I got a Tanka prose published in the same issue: https://thotpurge.wordpress.com/2017/12/05/inevitable/

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1. Frank J. Tassone
  
  December 5, 2017
  
  Congratulations! 😀
  
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kim881

December 6, 2017

Such a poignant memory, Frank. We didn’t have a lawn but my dad was great at silly dad dancing and singing the wrong words to songs. When a certain tune comes on, I see him dancing just like Baloo the Bear! The haiku is spot on!

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1. Frank J. Tassone
  
  December 6, 2017
  
  Thanks, Kim!
  
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Vivian Zems

December 6, 2017

A tribute in a way, but best of all- a way for your dad to re-visit you☺

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