Frank J. Tassone

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“I’ve got a bad feeling about this…”

Sandpaper sensations ripple under and across my skin, along my triceps and thighs. The dull ache radiating out of the elbows, knees, metacarcals and the toes doesn’t stop. Even the departure of the day’s rain has not helped.

Ride the Dragon.

My throat catches as I imagine her. My shoulders and neck tense up. I brace for the next abrupt criticism or cold glance. My breath shortens as my awareness tunnels in on her every reaction.

Ride the Dragon.

It’s no coincidence that the physical and mental stressors coincide. I’d prefer relief from each. Nevertheless, the path proceeds. This is the way.

Ride the Dragon!

while the day’s

humidity rises

evening birdsong

Jade Li, over at dVerse, hosts OLN this week. Here is my take on the optional prompt.

The Pub is open! Come join us!

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Comments

9 responses to ““I’ve got a bad feeling about this…””

msjadeli

June 7, 2024

I know they used to call drinking absinthe riding the green dragon.

Both aspects sound draining, Frank. Are you and your wife still going to your meditation place?

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1. Frank J. Tassone
  
  June 7, 2024
  
  We are. My wife is NOT the “she” of this haibun, however. Experience of the afflictive emotions is also a facet of meditation. This, too, is life.
  
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  1. msjadeli
    
    June 7, 2024
    
    Frank, I didn’t think the “she” was your wife, as she seems the kindly sort. Back in the day I worked with wayward youth, what led them to “cross the line of the law” was an unshakeable belief that life should be fair. I tried to explain how that way of thinking can get them in trouble and was unfortunate that it wasn’t so. They say adversity builds character, and that may be so, but it still f***n’ hurts like hell. Thanks for letting me ramble on.
    
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  2. Frank J. Tassone
    
    June 7, 2024
    
    Ah! Thanks for clearing that up; I wondered if I might have accidentally led other readers to believe that it was. As for working with at-risk youth, I hear you. It’s a blind-faith business, where we have to believe we’ve made a difference, that’s for sure.
    
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  3. msjadeli
    
    June 7, 2024
    
    You’re welcome, Frank. I know you hear me about the kids, and agree with believing in them. In some ways teenagers aren’t able to take in too much “advice/wisdom” from the elders, but the ideas have been given to them and they remember altruistic acts and gestures of kindness.
    
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Frewin55

June 7, 2024

Gripping, Frank…

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scotthastiepoet

June 7, 2024

Lovely stuff here Frank – searing insights…

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Truedessa

June 7, 2024

Ride the dragon – hang on tight in life journey, the dragon can bring strength and insight but, often you cannot ignore it. It has a way of flapping its way back with fiery breath until we confront whatever obstacle is in our path.

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Debi

June 8, 2024

Your conversation with msjadeli help clarify your poem, I’d never heard the term ‘ride the dragon’ so had no context.
The form was effective. Sound bites almost and the haiku when I read it the first time seemed very happy and bright but the second reading added weight to “humidity rises” and then the ‘evening birdsong’ made me wonder what bird’s song – harsh crows or sweet sparrows.

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