Dad wants to cut the Tappan Zee bridge out of his commute. He finds the perfect ranch-style house for us in Rockland County–same side of the Hudson as his restaurant. I don’t want to leave all my friends behind. And while Dad packs up all of our belongings into boxes, Mom drinks.
sunset
the last birdsong heard from
the apple tree
We sell our New City home of over fifteen years so Dad can settle a debt. Our future uncertain, we rent a ranch house in nearby Chestnut Ridge. The stifling heat does not help our estate sale. The wall space behind the paintings lack the yellow tint staining the rest.
moonrise
the day I cut my last ties
to her dysfunction
Another move–this time to a townhouse in Suffern. Downsizing continues. But nothing stops me from going on a date with my future wife. Not even moving day!
starry night
the perils of a bedroom
with a tv
I convince Mira to move into a townhouse six doors down from the one I share with my parents. All of her belongings fit into a box truck. She crosses the Hudson, as I did all those years ago. And like me, she leaves family and friends behind.
darkness before dawn
the summertime noises of
kids playing
We buy a high ranch in next-door Montebello, the better to use as a “mother-daughter.” Contractors put in a seperate kitchen and full bath. We load up our households and move into the place we now call home.
sunrise
the grass continues to grow
by itself
for Sue Vincent’s Thursday photo prompt: Aflame #writephoto
and dVerse Poets’ Tuesday Poetics: Movement (pubtended by Amaya) The Pub closes soon for this prompt, so join the fun while you can!
Share the love. Spread the haikai:
Categories: haikai, haiku community
Frank J. Tassone 
A wonderful glimpse into the way life moves us…
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Thanks, Sue! 😀 When I saw your photo and dVerse’s prompt, I couldn’t resist!
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And why should you, Frank? 😉
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Your poem made me realize that moving is about leaving family and friends behind.
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Indeed, Frank. It’s bittersweet that way, since the same move opens new opportunities.
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Wow, that was brilliant, such a melancholic feel to it, yet a positive ending.
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Thank you! Moving is such a bittersweet experience.
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Thanks, Sue! 😀
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We moved a lot when I was young, and I’ve kept at it. You capture the ambiguous feelings well. And wonderful that you could settle in for your adulthood! (K)
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Thank you! We may have another move or two left in our future. 😆
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Frank this is so good, I enjoyed reading it and feeling the different emotions 💜
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Thank you!
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You are masterful with the profundity of your haiku interludes to accompany the everyday drama of the prose. You explore so many themes within this short poem but, as others have said, it serves the content of moving well. Often life moves too quickly and without remorse for us to process it.
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Thank you for your thoughtful reflection and high praise! 😀
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Thanks, Sue! 😀
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I like the way you stepped through your previous homes and memories through a series of haibun. Very effective format.
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Thank you, Jade! 🙂
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You are welcome, Frank 🙂
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