The world at the other side, is drily chaotic but still a beloved motherland. I have come for the funeral but it felt like a homecoming. For myself, I had prayed for peace for my ailing father, and a comforting life for my mother and sisters who have been caring for him. He was a difficult patient who knew his days were numbered. As I arrive at the wake, the traditions of grieving made everything familiar, and reassuring - flowers, mass cards, consoling words of neighbors and friends, and the prayers for the dead for 9 days.
Rains came at early morning, cooling the summer-like temperatures during the day. Dawn was reddish grey, with gloomy skies. When the rains break, it was steady humming on the roof and small garden. We were lucky that on the morning of the funeral rites, sky held its peace & only gave away its tears in the late afternoon.
smell of fragrant roses
perks up my nose, but there're no flowers-
only dying candles-
Posted for dVerse Poets Pub - Haibun, hosted by Bjorn Rudberg. The haiku happened to me.
This is beautiful, Grace. This thought especially:
ReplyDelete"sky held its peace & only gave away its tears in the late afternoon."
Dying is such a difficult part of living.....for those who pass through this process and are left behind, and those who are ushered from this earth.
I really love how you tied up the three parts of this haibun, the first setting the scene with all the ceremonies, the second connecting to the rain, and the haiku really making us think of what happened when you felt that scent.
ReplyDeleteIncredible narrative & personal sharing; terrific sense of place & moment. As a septuagenerian, all my elders are passed on, leaving me as ersatz patriarch for the 8 grandchildren; heading full stem to complete my cycle.
ReplyDeleteThis is so sadly beautiful Grace. I love the haiku. It left me breathless and tearing up - again. I took my mother's ashes down to NC this past week and interred her ashes in her mother's grave. They have had so little rain down that way. But I got the job done. Today the sky is weeping, slowly. Your haibun and haiku reminded me of those tears I have been shedding since June. I am so very sorry, again, for your loss. Peace be with you.
ReplyDeleteA path we all end up at in the end. Never easy, but a cycle that continues on.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful piece!!
ReplyDeleteYou show us the sorrow in this. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI liked the ending about the sky temporarily holding back its tears. My condolences on your loss.
ReplyDeleteOnly at times of death do I understand why we have rituals. You take us through it beautifully.
ReplyDeleteA funeral as a homecoming is bittersweet. I love the description of the weather in the second paragraph - true pathetic fallacy - and the way you've used smell in the haiku is perfect, Grace, with the move from fragrant roses to dying candles.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful write Grace and my heart is with you. I am sad for your loss and offer my condolences.
ReplyDeleteThe kindest of regards
Anna
As real and attached to the reader's senses as a haibun can and should be. My deepest sympathy... and prayers.
ReplyDeleteI just came from a wake yesterday. Your vivid diction and evocative imagery capture the pathos of such farewells beautifully.
ReplyDeleteThis was poignant and I must say an lovely farewell. the idea of the sky holding back and tears taking over completes this sad picture.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully done, like others your piece reminded me of a day like that for my father - big clouds, rain coming, the comfort of the ritual. Particularly liked that nature takes over in the second paragraph - and then grief returns in the haiku). Thank you.
ReplyDeleteA narrative that is both sad yet peaceful, and a lovely haiku that compliments it.
ReplyDelete*sigh*
ReplyDeleteI agree, this is a sad yet peaceful piece. A poignant farewell, Grace.
ReplyDeleteFirstly Grace, I am sorry for your personal loss. Secondly, you bring such a keen eye to this and evoke the power of ritual and it's place in our lives. So moving.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant and personal all at once. Aching theme, real images, honest confession then the philosophy and poetic punch! Nice
ReplyDeleteReally lovely, Grace. Personal and heartfelt.
ReplyDeleteI am glad that the sky held its peace. Beautiful, much love to you. X
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A poignant - beautifully penned - haibun. The haiku is exquisite. A tender farewell.
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