Voices. The small, polite chatter of acquaitances catching up. Banal remarks like, “He was so close to retirement,” and “What will his son do now?”
I try to open my eyes. Nothing happens. I urge my lips to shape the words I want to say. Again, nothing. I try to lift one of my crossed hands. The same impotent result!
A saline aroma, and a sudden, shuddering sob. I hear her. Then him, crying, too. “Mom.”
“I’m right here!” I will myself to say, although this mouth refuses me. “I’m still right here!”
An aroma of incense. A recitation of scripture. A final call to say goodbye.
No! My heart must be thudding—they’ll hear. There has to be sweat on my brow—they’ll see! But they don’t. A creak, and whatever silhouettes of light pierced my concrete eyelids disappear.
“No! Don’t bury me! I can’t be dead! I can’t be!”
A thud, as my coffin’s lid seals over me.
fresh grave
perched on a bare bough
a lone crow
I’m hosting dVerse Poets’ Haibun Monday today, where we wax haibunic about fear!
The Pub is open! Come join us!
Share the love. Spread the haikai:
Categories: haikai, haiku community
Frank J. Tassone 
Wow a nightmare haibun. Nice one. Happy you dropped by to read mine
Much💜love
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So devastating from both directions!
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Eww super creepy. Crows protending death?
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To experience your own ending as if Alice. Powerless to say your final words. Chilling, Frank. A reminder to say and do all today without delay.
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Frank,
You got out your Edgar Allan Poe’s book of creepiest fears of which this one tops the list: being buried alive! A lone crow: is it saying “Nevermore”?
pax,
dora
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Now that is a nightmare fright night for sure. Frank! A frightening experience to say the least. Great haibun. Love the crow on the limb!
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very stephen king. loved it
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Haunting Frank, makes one’s flesh crawl! Well written…
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The ultimate fear, magnified by the dreamlike setting. Excellent. (K)
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Frank!! This gave me chills all over, from head to toe. Thanks for a great challenge and a great haibun.
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This has Edgar Allen Poe vibes. Nicely done, Frank.
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Just like Dora I think of Poe reading your prose.. and you didn’t even get a cask of Amontillado with you…
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I’ve had that nightmare more than once! Scary and well done, Frank!
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Excellent Frank!
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But a Whisper
I shall be dust in the wind,
floating forever in your thoughts.
Fear not, should my voice reach your ear.
‘Twill be but a whisper of the time
that was ours together.
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Splendidly spooky, Frank! Thanks for the prompt.
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