Frank J. Tassone

Tag: haibun

  • Necessary Misbehaving

    ‘I am going to get into a lot of trouble.’ – Raymond Radiguet, Possessed by the Devil, Grasset 1923 As though it could be any other way. As though I have not tried measure after measure. All to encounter a brush-off as tender as a backhand across the face. As though a quarter-century-plus experience matters less than a…

  • Vernal Epiphany

    A stirring. Darkness ripples, and a sharp pain pierces through this enshrouding numbness. The silence once again resumes that tangible quality, the childbirth pangs of language ready to emerge. The black molts into a brightening gray, then bleeds off like ink diluted in water. Images arise, evoking words after an everlong muteness. The echoes of…

  • A Cold Mountain Hike

    Storm King Mountain State park. Snowy trails. A family of four stumble along one. One of two children—a boy of about 12—slips and falls. None of them wear crimpons, micro spikes worn over footwear. Mira and I hike past them, wondering why people hike in winter so unprepared. sunlit ascent the swush-swush of our boots…

  • Winter Striding

    The shadows of bare Locus and Maples stripe the immaculate snow covering the backyard. The line of distant cirrus clouds foreshadow another snowfall sometime in the future. For now, the houses across the street reflect the light of the descending sun. A week ago, Mira and I arrived at Lake Skannatati. Doning our crimpons, we…

  • Recovering

    Residual aches. Are they coronal remnants, or Rheumatoidal antecedants? After almost a week, it’s still difficult to tell. Nevertheless, I welcome a flow of returning vitality. Even if it trickles like stream during drought. Even if the chorus of nailbiting thoughts arise with this flow: How the candidate hasn’t answered my text, with his incomplete…

  • New Year’s Moments: a #TankaProse

    A sushi-combo/Bento-box dinner combo, and then Frank goes out. We watch “In the Heights,” then the NYE shows. Dance to Journey performing live at Times Square. Kiss at midnight. Frank texts, then calls, and we wish each other Happy New Year. after midnight the sudden fireworks amidst falling rain holding each other in twisted sheets…

  • Unseasonal Desolation

    The day of Christmas Eve. A fresh layer of snow has nearly melted as the overcast sky of morning clears. I woke on my own, watched all of the shows I wanted–including one with Frank. The aroma of freshly baked lasgna still pervades the kitchen. Soon, we will meet the rest of the family at…

  • Amentalio

    An ordinary work day: only an hour commute, a Spoken Word poetry lesson, a guest appearance by the Creative Arts Team, another More Writing Monday (on a Tuesday) lesson. The meetings after work meant a Four O’Clock departure. It was already twilight by the time I arrived home. No stop at Maryrest. No visit to…