A haibun
I can’t recall ever being afraid of death, although my father’s death led me to reflect deeply upon death’s effects upon the yet living. Still, as uncomfortable as that line of thinking is, it leaves me tearful rather than fearful.
Papa’s death has also led me to think a lot about suffering. He was lucky enough to die very quickly (and unexpectedly); I don’t think he suffered when he died because he was unconscious, which is comforting. This also leaves me thinking about the alternative, which terrifies me.
Of course, suffering is hardly limited to physical pain. What if I were to become physically paralyzed and unable to speak? What if I were deprived of my ability to express myself?
denied chlorophyll
dying leaves' true tones revealed
decline in silence
d’Verse ‘Haibun Monday’
Theme: ‘Fear’
At d’Verse, poets were challenged to write haibuns with the theme of ‘fear’.
Haibun?
New to Haibun? Write a paragraph or more of prose, or prose poetry, then follow it with a haiku—one that includes a season word, and juxtaposes two disparate images that, when paired, give us that “aha!” experience.
Let’s write poetry together!
When it comes to partnership, some humans can make their lives alone – it’s possible. But creatively, it’s more like painting: you can’t just use the same colours in every painting. It’s just not an option. You can’t take the same photograph every time and live with art forms with no differences.
–Ben Harper (b. 1969)
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This made me think that we can suffer and die multiple deaths throughout our lifetime, from numerous things (emotionally). We suffer, let the idealistic ideas we had die, and transform. It is both sad and beautiful. Great write! 💓
Wow… that’s deep, Tricia…
Thanks for sharing.
❤
David
Thanks for making me think! ❣
I have to say I share the same hope for myself… but I’d rather wait a bit
I hope you wait too, Björn!
❤
David
Interesting – do you think that the leaves ‘true tones’ are revealed at the end as they are dying? Not while they are green, healthy, and alive?
Yep.
https://www.noaa.gov/stories/cool-autumn-weather-reveals-nature-s-true-hues
Interesting! Thanks for sharing the link.
I think people are the opposite of leaves though. When I saw my grandmother in hospice, I didn’t feel like I was seeing her true self. Her true self was revealed when she was healthy enough to share the best aspects of her personality and character with friends and family.
You’re right. I shouldn’t generalize. Depends on the individual.
Well, I wasn’t sure at first if the haiku part of your haibun was meant metaphorically or literally. I assumed metaphorically. I can see how metaphorically it could be true, although I haven’t seen this in my experience
What I was thinking is that people who are near death often drop their masks, so to speak, because what’s the point of pretending when you are nearly dead?
This is very creative yet so beautiful ❤️
❤ thanks, FA! ❤
-David
Continue doing what your doing am so inspired it’s like a artist with new paint masterpiece that can’t get old but just being aunthentic and rich
A universal fear, felt deeply by everyone, David.
Yeah… 😦
Lovely Haibun, David. A new form to explore? Perhaps. As always, thanks for sharing!
All theses forms are new to me, Paul 💝
Indeed, perhaps worse than the fear of death is the fear of a suffering-filled dying. Eloquently evoked, Ben!
💟 Frank 💟
-David
Your haibun voices what so many feel …. well done!
❤ thanks, Helen ❤
Having experienced my mother’s Alzheimer’s, that is my biggest fear as well. I don’t want to lose my mind before my body. (K)
🤗 Kerfe 🤗
This haibun was nice…. made me rethink my thoughts of death, which I consider just another experience, even if it’ll end my experience of life. But yeah, we shouldn’t think of death now, and live life to the fullest, and when our time comes, we can pray it be a painless exit from the world of the living. 😀
🙏 Q. 🙏
I feel sorry that you lost your Dad David but he is blessed to go silently in the unconscious state ! Meantime,let’s not think about death and it’s pain and make up our mind to accept as it comes !!
Yeah, it’s definitely not productive, Srikanth.. I know.
Thanks,
David
I fear the death of loved ones more than my own.
And yes, I fear becoming dependent on someone else to live.
Poignant haiku.
❤️💛 Limp 💛❤️