In the 24-season syllabic poetry challenge, we are now at Part II, Early Cold (January 5 – 20) Shokan 小寒. The request was to write a haibun, so I decided to try a verse envelope haibun where the prose passage is bookended by haikus. Generally, my haibun are prose passage followed by one haiku. My kigos are bolded. I think the first haiku is stretching the definition of haiku, but it’s what I wanted to say.
***
new year is now old
new beginnings are over
the routine is back
We approach each new year with anticipation, hoping for something to stir us. We want to feel renewed and ready for a spark to keep us placing one foot ahead of the other. But we are only in the second week of 2024 and already we have resumed the labor of our jobs, the routine of our personal care and feeding. For most of us, our relationships have not changed. But divinity willing, within the next 2-4 weeks I will have a new relationship with a grandson.
after we meet, I’ll
introduce you to snow crows
and sweet acacia
***
This tree is in my yard. Notice how its scars are hearts. Can’t wait to show that to the kid!
(I had to go back to classic editor to add the photo because I was getting an error message. “This block has encountered an error and cannot be previewed.” Has anybody else been getting that message and do you know anything about it?
Interesting about the heart-shaped scar. Nice poems, Luanne.
I love that life-worn tree. Thanks, Anneli!!!
Lovely poems. I trust the scars will still be there when he understands them
Thanks, Derrick! I think they will still be there as long as the tree stays healthy. These Arizona trees are like weeds though, so pretty resilient.
I have a lot of issues posting pictures with the block editor so I went back to Classic. Hoping they continue to support it! Nice poem.
What in the world! So how do you go back to classic on a regular basis like that? Is there a trick?
Way back I bookmarked the classic “add a post” url and I use that. I just went to try to find where you can switch from block to classic and I couldn’t find it. I don’t know why they are so insistent on using block. For many of us casual bloggers, we want something simple. Block is not simple. It’s frustrating. I’m sure if I used it for a year maybe I’d learn it completely but for my use it’s complicated.
Ugh, I am hoping my problem goes away on its own!
WordPress has a mind of its own – as always – I have troubles with almost every post so not the best person to listen to.
However, I am a reliable testimony for your grandson. Be careful what you wish for. When Ella was born, I told Pretty she could have this “baby blob” during the first year or so, and I would be happy to take over the heavy lifting when she learned to walk and talk! I focused on the future – and should have been treasuring every second of the present because it passed by in a blur…AND there are some advantages to just rocking and singing without a sassy comment !! I was smarter with Molly!! You enjoy your grandson every chance you have.
Yes, I know you are right. Baby time is the time to get used to a kid and all that entails. Also plenty of time to baby proof. Ugh, all my cat toys . . . .Thanks, Sheila! I do wonder what’s up with WordPress. Maybe I should try to go back to Classic like Kate.
A lovely poem, Luanne. I always stretch Haikus to meet my needs. That’s why they are called JohnKu’s
HAHAHAHAHA. I love that. Can I write Lukus?
LuaKus
😹
I love the surprise in that verse envelope haibun. Second week of January, new beginnings are over … ho hum. Except a new grandson is coming, someone with whom to share that love tree and so much more. So new beginnings are about to start!
Thanks, Wilma! New beginnings! Hope I can handle them!!!!
The second haiku is the standout for me! The first haiku reads like a senryu. I wonder if an envelope haibun can accomodate both haiku and senryu. I would think that it could. You must be so excited to be getting close to the arrival of your grandson.
I was thinking that about a senryu, too, now that I know the difference. However, that’s what I wanted to say, so the form had to squish for me haha. It’s mind-boggling to say the least (about the baby)!!!
It’s safe to say you will share pics of the big day??
If I am allowed to!
Good point about respecting the parents’ wishes!
Funky tree! I enjoyed the haibun. Best wishes on the arrival of grandson. Another blogger I know is having that problem with the image block. WP is so far no help. I always use classic editor for blogging. I use blocks for my author site, but don’t add things very often. I’ll pass along your suggestion to use the classic editor.
Luanne, I like the envelope as a whole, but especially the last haiku. You are going to be a wonderful gramma.
Aw, thank you so much, Lisa! DIL and I went shopping at these great children’s secondhand stores here and stocked up on newborn outfits today!
“Snow crow” I love the image that’s evoked. Great haikus! 😊
Beautiful imagary Luanne and I love the photo too. I can’t help you with the error code/ message though.💜💜
Your poetry deftly captures that feeling at the beginning of the new year, but with the hope of a new relationship with your grandson.
That tree is beautiful, Luanne! And I love your poem. You compacted so much truth in it. Congrats on the upcoming new arrival! 🙂
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
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Well said. I’ve had to train myself to remember that nothing miraculously changes just because the calendar does. But how lovely to look forward to your new grandson!
Oh… how wonderful to enjoy someone new…
May everything go and grow with health and love wealth!
I’ll only ever have the two that are growing like weeds!
New beginnings… I haven’t gotten back to old routines yet –
being under the weather for the first two weeks. I’m looking forward to getting out of my home… but snow stopped that yesterday and the cold might just stop me again today – at 9am it is only 14F. Cheers!!
At the rate my kids are going this will be the only one, but will enjoy every moment! 14 degrees. UGH. It seems remarkably cold everywhere this year!!!! Thank you so much Jules!!! xo
Our latest newbies are a set of twins almost two years old (grand nephews for us) – first grands for either set of grandparents.
All the best – let us know – I wrote a poem when my eldest was born…(over 40 years ago) I’d like to pass it to you to pass to the parents… when the time comes.