Happy New Year Pub Dwellers! Lisa introduces us to the “Burning Haibun” ~ a poetic form that begins with haibun prose, then undergoes erasure until what remains is a haiku / senryu
For the past twenty years Carl has worked in a busy supermarket. Everyone knows his name, loves him. He is funny, personable, brightens lives ~ sometimes, his laughter carries across the store loud enough to spread smiles of joy ~ transforming chaos into a shopper's escapade.
His life is not without without pain. We often hear the words "correct and normal" from people these days. As if their version of right, is the only map worth following. Most days he understands they are just words, lines people draw in the sand ~ lines he is able to step over.
My son's life is not defined by what he cannot do, but by the depth with which he does everything. A reminder that art exists outside the museum. that grace is not reserved for the dance, that life, even with its challenges ~ can still be a masterpiece.
In the depths of supermarket lines / busy hands shuffle coupons / like cards in a game / an escapade designed to hide pain / from rising prices / luxuries / a dance of survival sans grace / defined by what they can afford / not what they deserve / across aisles conversation splits / like frayed seams / 'correct' and 'normal' / words they try to avoid / stepping over cracks too deep for repair / lost in the chaos of divide / the masterpiece of unity / crumbling step by step / under the weight of discord.
life is feeling frayed
art and grace are luxuries
we dance to survive
"As if their version of right, is the only map worth following." - every word of this haibun is a gem, Helen, This made my day, not because I can relate to it or any nonsense like that, but just for its value alone. I missed nothing, and caught all the superb methods you used to lift this piece higher. Thank you for crafing this one.
ReplyDeleteNice o e
ReplyDelete"we dance to survive" yes indeed
Happy New Year
Much♡love
We need those who dig deep instead of trying to be everything
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful son! And a heartwarming post and haibun. Beautiful, Helen.
ReplyDeleteHelen, wow is the first word that comes to mind. You took your burning haibun to another level. Your fierce love for Carl and his place within his workplace, which is nested inside of a larger world, shows a universal human spotlight found in your senryu.
ReplyDeleteHow true all this is!
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful and inspired all the text!
Yes, art is not only in Museums!!
Yes, the world is difficult for all sensitive and good people!!
You really moved me!!
Thank you!
A powerfully burning haibun, Helen, and thank you for sharing Carl and your love for him. I love that your description of him, ‘funny, personable, brightens lives’ shows that he is very much like you. I love that you say that Carl’s life is ‘not defined by what he cannot do, but by the depth with which he does everything’ – and the haiku sums it up beautifully, especially the ‘dance to survive’.
ReplyDeleteImagining Carl's laughter in the supermarket put a smile on my face. I love all of this!
ReplyDeleteA son to be proud of! What a moving and lovingly crafted haibun and the senryu is perfect.
ReplyDeleteThe world can be cruel. But what a wonderful smile your son has in spite of it. Priceless.
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