Tag: haibun
-
Solstice: a #TankaProse
We awaken to a winter wonderland. Overnight snowfall decorates every rooftop and bare-boughed tree in luscious white. The street and sidewalks lie beneath a blanket of pearl fluff. More snow falls as I turn on Christmas lights in our Dining and Living rooms. However, the sun pierces the veil of gray before midmorning. The street,…
-
December Musings, a #TankaProse (12/7/24)
We decorated the apartment for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving. Winter village, manger and angels atop the mantle, and the Christmas tree—fully decorated—all erected and lit by evening. Is it unusual, then, that Mira and I spent our first day of December taking her sisters to the Met Cloister? brisk afternoon yet still lingering the…
-
White Stag falling
You pursued me day and night. With every closing footstep of yours, I fled. Deeper and deeper through encroaching oaks and along leg-breaking switchbacks I ran. Your hunter’s steps carried on. The scent of your dank sweat and avaricious torments me. But no matter what lead I gain, you always close in. Now, the barking…
-
Interstellar Last Stand, Part II
(Part I) While Stellar-Guard forces die among the stars defending Earth, I & my crew face our end half a galaxy away. In a wormhole separating a peaceful, pre-space-travel civilization from genocidal mauraders. The signal I followed—Earth’s last, best hope—may have led my own species to extinction. But what other choice did I truly have?…
-
A Dragon’s Visit
Why are you trembling? Did you not yearn for me? See my blue and turquoise scales glitter in the sun. Hear the wind whistle around my sleak, serpentine form. Feel the rain I bring soak your naked skin. Haven’t you wanted me? Did you not crave power? Were you not thirsting for control? What is…
-
Interstellar Last Stand, Part I
A liberated Earth faced a desperate struggle. A faint signal from the Alpha Centauri system offered the only sliver of hope we could expect. So Guardian Command ordered me there. Little did I realize that voyage would lead me half the galaxy away, and confront me with the impossible choice: Lead my ship on a…
-
Enter the Donald
Donald Duck, already quacking his senile quackery. Donald Trump has said he wouldn’t be a dictator — “except for Day 1.” Of course! Because the Duck clearly has the heart to surrender power, like Biden showed. for sale slightly used condition one Brooklyn Bridge Continuing his quackery, the Duck sputters on… “I want to close the border, and I…
-
Marshalling
Standing on the hill, spinning a bullroarer. A warrior-poet calls. Who will answer? whirling wind an Autumn night deepens Already, the signals from 47 forecast the reversals of sound policy. The high anxiety of demoralized, defeated voters spikes into frustrated bursts of impotent outrage. rattle of leaves across sidewalks My own cheeks have not yet…
Frank J. Tassone 