Skeletons in the family's closet have always been part and parcel of my father's family history. However through time and forgiveness, wounds have been repaired. My grandmother was a fine example of casting aside shortcomings and shadowy misdeeds, and emerging with strong hands but kind heart. Her rough and gruff voice still rings, even though she has been gone years ago. Dying at 93 years old, she was very frail and bedridden, far from the spirited grandmother I knew. She once confided to my husband, that she wanted to die already at around 70 years old. By then, she has lost her husband, one child and all her siblings. Her black eyes were piercing, with sadness, with shadows too long to see. This long life is a curse.
spring buds, delicate
fingers curl against palm of leaves-
chickadees nimble-dance-
Posted for D'verse Poets Pub - Haibun Monday, hosted by Toni (kanzensakura) ~ Thanks for the visit ~
I understand totally. My mother too has lived too long and spends many days looking at the birds outside her window on the many feeders. the haiku is incredible.
ReplyDeleteThat haiku is so light and delicate, like a life withered to a shred.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gentle haiku, Grace!
ReplyDeleteI love the nimble dance... but I can totally understand the curse of a long life. But it's a blessing to have the old ones with you... maybe they should be thanked for staying so long.
ReplyDeleteNice description of her dark eyes and dark shadows.
ReplyDeleteAge can wither our loved ones. I love the picture you present of your grandmother here. And oh yes.....time and forgiveness are so very important. The haiku, especially the second line....complement the prose. I'm reminded of my grandmothers long gnarly fingers in her last years.
ReplyDeleteA long life can be a curse and a gift, both to bear
ReplyDeleteI was struck with the fact that,at 70,your grandmother wished to die ... and yet she lived for 23 more years! I like to think I haven't yet worn out my welcome with my children! Your beautiful words resonated with me!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and sad. At 70 I keep telling myself, "If I had known I was to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself". :)
ReplyDeleteZQ
Beautifully penned Grace...'shadows too long to see' is a wonderful line...the Haiku is elegant.
ReplyDeleteYou really hooked me with the /dark eyes/. Aging is not for the faint at heart. Pain is my constant companion, but I will rage against the end regardless, since I believe my entity designed this challenge for me, & I want to learn everything I can.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful lines,Grace.
ReplyDelete"Shadows too long to see" That is a captivating line! Well done!
ReplyDeleteheartbreaking to want to leave a life, though understanding the other person's pain helps them continue to live even though grudgingly - beautifully worded Grace.
ReplyDeleteYour sweet Spirit so different from grandmother. Yes, a long life it's always a full one.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful expression of life
ReplyDeleteBeautifully done! The haiku is perfect for the subject.
ReplyDeleteI never got to know my grand mother(born 1999, died 1945) in order to tell me stories, my mother (born 1930) is still alive, but does not wanna talk about "things" ... I wanna know but then again I don't wanna make her cry ... ya and so how it goes, friend Grace ... Love, cat.
ReplyDeleteSome people wants to live a longer life, but I think if you've seen enough like your grandma, I can understand her.
ReplyDeletei could feel her sigh...it resemble's my mother's who having lost all her siblings save one and her dearest granddaughter is keen on meeting that last day....specially love the end haiku...
ReplyDeleteAw, that is indeed sad if we look at it from the angle of losing the people we love. But on the bright side, she get to live to see the living. <3
ReplyDeletelovely and aching all in one, so nicely done
ReplyDeleteA no-holds-barred memory and confession. Sure, forgiven but mainly by time, less by intent. And acknowledging that the future of repeated springs may bring the same, flowers and suffering.
ReplyDeleteah, sad... ~
ReplyDeleteoh love how intense and melancholic this is. the haiku is as light as a feather. <3
ReplyDeleteLoved the last line of the Haiku...felt sad about being alive so long...something I never thought...!
ReplyDeleteA perfect synergy between the prose and the haiku in this haibun ... which, by the way, I very much enjoyed reading.
ReplyDelete