The city lights move in rhythmic march, like ants following the sugar trail up and down the streets. There's always a new event coming up - a show, entertainment, restaurant, promotion and exhibition, to keep the city lively and sparkling as red wine. Now that winter snow has melted, the garden beds are fresh as rain, while grey pigeons hover like expectant mothers.
At one tall building, a woman dangles at the edge of her window condominium. She contemplates killing herself by hurling her body over the steel rails. The cold gust of wind doesn't bother her; she is numbed emotionally. Though she is considered a bright star in her profession, her personal life is crumpling beyond her control. Her mind falters as it had been happening lately. She hesitates, mesmerized by the clouds, floating like leaves on pond. A scream is heard from below, as footsteps clamber up, coming nearer and nearer.
hiding its scars
on clear summer night-
moon is perfect black pearl
Solar Eclipse, Indonesia on March 9, 2016
Photo Credit: CNN
Posted for D'verse Poets Pub - Haibun Monday with guest blogger Thotpurge ~
The woman in the news was saved and was placed under suicide watch.
Thanks for the visit ~
I love this: "She hesitates, mesmerized by the clouds, floating like leaves on pond. A scream is heard from below, as footsteps clamber up, coming nearer and nearer." ... It's as if her soul separates from her body "mesmerized by the clouds" while her body plummets. Am I messed up to think this is completely beautiful and just as it should be?
ReplyDeleteAnd then she is the moon, covered by clouds. No-- she's wrapped in clouds, like bubble wrap. She can finally be safe, despite all the scars she's endured obtaining. Untouchable, lonely, but safe at last.
A strong message of cosmic intervention. The first paragraph is killer prose, to read & re-read. Moon in eclipse, or moon behind a curtain of clouds, still it pulls & tugs at sings its silent yet sibilant songs. I like the lines /while gray pigeons hover like/expectant mothers./
ReplyDeleteGlad she was saved, what one has to come to to do that. Very true too, always something going on in a city.
ReplyDeleteOh what a scene.... to me the city itself is a beast sucking the life out of people, the moon and sky is a savior... at least for a while. I really love the first paragraph.
ReplyDeleteShe is moon dazed! This is lovely!
ReplyDeleteIt's that moment of mental 'disconnect' -- that's when a person is really in danger.
ReplyDeleteThank you sooo much for the steps up the stairs (and for the postscript). Your prose reads so vivid that I could feel the night on my face, as I watched the woman threatening to let go of everything.
ReplyDeleteAnd the haiku gives the perfect sort of depth to the prose.
I love the idea that the moon might be hiding her scars. Goodness. Don't we all?
ReplyDeleteI am glad that the clouds have mesmerized her...that her mind is taken off the idea of hurling herself to the ground below.
ReplyDeleteWhat a contrast between the two stanzas - the hovering expectant mothers (love that description of pigeons) and the woman contemplating suicide.
ReplyDeleteEven the moon wants to hide her scars, not realizing they make up her perfection. Lots to think about in your haibun Grace.
ReplyDeleteHi Grace I did love the imagery you created and I am glad like others the incident had a happy ending....have a good day...
ReplyDeleteIt is scary. Professional success is no guarantor of happiness. I hope she found a better way.
ReplyDeleteThis is powerfully drawn ... the prose is skilfully woven. The haiku is exquisite. A mesmerizing haibun.
ReplyDeleteThe moon as a black pearl is a wonderful image for the story. Great, great description. I can see her, and the city, and the lights. Beautiful piece. So many scars are hidden.
ReplyDeleteLove the prose, and the haiku's imagery sings!
ReplyDeletei love the contrast between the lively city to the emotional void of the lady who dangles at the edge of life.
ReplyDeletethe description of the moon is an added plus.
I love that first paragraph, the description of the city, particularly: 'The city lights move in rhythmic march, like ants following the sugar trail up and down the streets'.The phrase 'while grey pigeons hover like expectant mothers' makes me think the woman in the second paragraph has an unwanted pregnancy to deal with and feels completely alone, and you didn't need to tell us that she was contemplating suicide. The haiku ends spectacularly and I hope that the moon has saved her.
ReplyDeleteso many of us come to that edge but then a light shines that will sustain us for a little longer and life lives on.
ReplyDeleteah yes, the night's black pearl !
lovely. Grace-fully stated
gracias
Beautiful even in its darkness. Very striking.
ReplyDeleteThe juxtaposition of a city, changing, evolving through its seasons....the movement forward from winter to new life.
ReplyDeleteAnd then the paragraph of the young woman, suicidal, because for her, there is no forward except this leap. Time seems to stand still for those in the deepest of depressions.
Well done...
ReplyDeleteZQ
How terrible. I once held the idea that it takes a certain amount of self respect to commit suicide. A need for an out from the madness. I don't think so anymore.
ReplyDeleteYou painted this with vivid strokes. A stunning piece.
ReplyDeleteChilling
ReplyDeleteThis write seemed different from what you usually do, Grace, or is this just my perception? Anyway, I loved your vivid description of the bustling city life likening the lights to marching ants. I'm glad that the woman was saved and hope that she is recovering. What a wonderfully told story and love your haiku!
ReplyDeleteOh wow. Grace this is so intense. I felt myself on edge with her hoping and waiting. The image of the black pearl is perfect. Thank you for this. :)
ReplyDelete