Thanks to Liz Steinglass for hosting the Poetry Friday round up this week!
I’m posting my Poetry Friday offering early this week. I’ll be traveling on Friday, visiting the niece and nephews mentioned in the poem below.
This is my first attempt at a haibun. It has also been forever since I shared a “random conversations” post. I wanted to capture the way an everyday moment (shopping) transformed into a moment of unexpected connection with a stranger. Haibun — because of its leap from prose to haiku — seemed a good fit. Has anyone else tried the form? What do you think about its hybrid style?
Cheer Down
By Laura Shovan
A quick stop at the local chocolatier. It’s Hanukkah, and I’ve had my eye on their white chocolate unicorn lollipops for my niece and nephews. What would be a brief transaction – customer, clerk – shifts when a George Harrison song begins to play. He is our favorite Beatle. Under the banter, recognition that each of us is settled down, grounded and calmed, by the same music.
Dusk on Main Street
Gray light, brown bag
Saffron truffles
A herd of white chocolate unicorns.
If you are ever in Maryland, the chocolate shop is Sweet Cascades in Old Ellicott City. Their truffles are divine.
And if you’d like to listen to George perform the song referenced in my poems title, you’ll find him here.
See you next week when it’s my turn to host Poetry Friday. I’m attempting Mr. Linky for the first time. Fingers crossed!
Yum. I love the haibun form. It’s got the best of prose and poetry. Like falling asleep when thoughts cascade, and maybe one rises to the surface and helps meditation start.
I’ve read some haibun, but I feel as if I need time to study the form. I love your analogy, Brenda.
Thank you for the introduction to haibun! I think you’ve succeeded in capturing that moment of transformation. I enjoyed the smooth transition from prose to haiku and the image of dusky colors.
Thanks, JoAnn. This felt like one of those moments best captured in few words.
I’ve never tried a haibun, and I confess I’ve found them a little mystifying, but this seems a perfect example of what they can do so well. I’ll have to think about this more. It’s wonderful as are the unicorns!
Liz — and everyone — this is the article on haibun that I’m reading and enjoying. It is lengthy, but worth it for the model poems and the explanation of different ways the form can work. Here you go! http://haibuntoday.haikuhut.com/ht44/Article_Woodward_Form.html
Thank you!
That’s my kind of haibun. 🙂 Glad you tried the form with a food-related subject. Now I’m craving truffles and one of those lollipops!
Jama — the truffles at this shop are amazing. Worth a trip up to old EC!
I think you’ve just managed the haibun & to send me to my own favorite chocolate shop, Laura. Simple words, sweetest image. Hope you’re having a fun visit!
Mission accomplished, then! I hope it brought some sweetness to your day.
Cool poetic switch, echoing your internal shift.
Did you buy the entire herd? 🙂 Hope you had fun today.
I did buy a stable’s worth, I think. They were much ooh’d and aah’d over for Hanukkah.
ooooooh! I don’t know haibun. And, I do love a challenge. Count me in on trying this out. I love chocolate shops! What a fun and wonderful visit. Brown bag and saffron truffles got me. Great juxtaposition there. Can’t wait for next week. I will be sharing some special chocolate gifts 🙂 I’ve not heard of Berger cookies before….but they are just gorgeous!
I was wondering whether you’d sampled our Baltimore specialty, Linda. So glad to introduce you to a local treat!
Chocolate is a wonderful engager and you blended it so nicely into your haibun, a format that I never heard of. Thank you for the article. I would think after reading your haibun that you had a Happy Hanukkah, Laura. It was great seeing you at NCTE even if it was for a few moments. May I capture your haibun and photo for my Abundant Autumn Gallery?
Hi, Carol. Thank you for asking. Of course you may! Happy holidays to you too.
Thanks for the article. Haibun is a form I’d love to try!
It’s a very interesting article. I like the break down of all the possibilities of the form. Enjoy!
What a smooth and magical “saffron truffles” transition you made from prose into haiku–delicious offering for all our senses. And such a gorgeous heard of unicorns. Thanks too for the article on Haibun, I’ve been hunting around for info on it!
They are magical, Michelle. So delicious.
I love this! I’ve written one haibun and I want to try more.
I think I’ll be trying more too, Ruth.
I really like the mix of prose and poetry and look forward to reading the article you shared. I’ve never written a haibun, but you’ve inspired me to investigate a bit more and then perhaps give it a try. Thanks!
Molly — you’ll find a link to an article in my reply to Liz Steinglass. I recommend starting with this one. It’s thorough and has some great model haibun.