Frank J. Tassone

Tag: haibun

  • Story-whispering: a #haibun

    There is a story. It eludes my grasp. When I work to shape it’s contours, it soars beyond me. birdsongs the rival for territory continues There is a story. It teases and hints at being told. When I reach for its structure, it crouches back into shadows. traffic drone another cicada sounds off There is…

  • A Night of Mid-90’s Nostalgia: a #quadrille #haibun

    An unsentimental, staccato trumpet sounds out from a coffee bar jukebox. The click of que-ball against stripe joins the ominous rhythm accompanying the melody line. A milk steamer hisses: a gurgled, high-pitch screech drops in tone. A murmering audience gathers for an Open Mic. Welcome to Caffeine Jones… “Bitches Brew” a sip of cappuccino before…

  • Hortus Trinitatis

    Lush flora, bathing Eden’s morning air in a delicate aromal song. Dafodils, rhododendrums, a kaleidescope of perennials and annuals: a blissful variety tantalizing sight and smell alike! And yet amidst perfection, an offered temptation to take what is not given. A temptation yielded to, with that all too familiar sense of entitlement, that pride, urging…

  • DC/Shenandoah ’21 Travel Notes, Day 4 (7/6/21)

    A simple breakfast in the unit, overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains. After orienting ourselves to Shenandoah National Park’s map, we decide on a short out-and-back hike close to the nearest entrance to the park. Frank takes the wheel again, and we race down Rt. 33 East toward the Swift Run Gap entrance. $30 for a…

  • DC/Shenandoah ‘21 Travel Notes, Day 3 (7/5/21)

    A somber day. A travel day. A day tasting southern BBQ south of the Mason Dixon line for the first time. Arlington. The Eternal Flame. The changing of the Guard T the tomb of the unknown soldier. Lunch, and a walk about, in Georgetown. The journey south to our Timeshare in the Shenandoah valley. Hank’s…

  • DC/Shenandoah ‘21 Travel Notes, Day 2 (7/4/21)

    A Starbucks breakfast: regular coffee, and a sausage/cheddar/egg on an English muffin. A walk to the nearest DC Metro Station (Metro Center): the purchase of 3 day passes for our adventure. masks on an escalator squeaks a ride to posh DuPont Circle. we walk up tree lined sidewalks, past picturesque townhouses. A short ascent, and…

  • DC/Shenandoah ‘21 Travel Notes (Day 1, 7/3/21)

    A 5AM rise. Breakfast. Packing. A 6:30 departure for Camp Rodney in North East, MD. Three hour trip. We meet little traffic, stop at one rest stop, and arrive at the designated parking lot for Troop 21’s campsite. After a week away, we see him arrive with his friends. He sees us and smiles. breaking…

  • On Any Given Day

    Somewhere, a white butterfly floats above greenery in garden beds. A neighbor’s dog barks at whatever triggered it. Afternoon birds continue their tweets and chirps, hidden among a canopy of maple leaves Somewhere, boughs sway and leves rustle. A chartered jet flies overhead. Sunlight brightens on the backyard’s mix of freshly mowed grass and crabgrass.…