I look at the faces of my high school friends, and theirs mirror mine. Faces delicately stamped by passing time. Hands creased by toil, care and chores. The fabric of our stories have become heavier and darker with increasingly sad stories of deaths, poor health, family and personal struggles. I have migrated abroad in another country along with some friends, while some have lived in the same city. Though our travels have taken us to different places since graduation, we have now arrived at the same spot - more tolerant, kinder and compassionate to each other. Where disagreements and jealousy gnawed at our friendship, we now provide help, support and celebrate each other's journey. Viewed within our group's narrative, I count each thread, weave, tug and pull with gratitude. Whatever change is coming my way, I can rely on this group of ladies to see me through.
of fallen leaves with sun's luster-
sky brims - autumn's rust-
Autumn by Everyday Amazing
Posted for dVerse Poets - Haibun Monday - Transitions, hosted by guest Merril Smith. Please visit us when the pub doors open at 3pm EST. Thanks for the visit.
What a thoughtful paragraph, Grace, and a lovely haiku. It's funny that we both mentioned wind. How wonderful that you have friends from high school, and that in growing older, petty differences have fallen away.
ReplyDeleteThe haiku is such a wonderful complement to the prose. I have so little contact with my friends from highschool... all my contacts are from university.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely that you have come to a place of strength and closeness. So many people grow apart from their old friends.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of the autumn wind building a nest of leaves.....and old friends now providing that comfort and support. I was just in a phone conversation this afternoon with old college friends...they just celebrated their 46th anniversary. How we laughed about some of our old age idiosyncracies (sp?) and ultimately just said, and aren't we glad we have them? :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful transition you have depicted here! This is in the nature of growing and maturing in life. I love the "faces delicately stamped by passing time" and "I count each thread, weave, tug and pull with gratitude". The haiku compliments this stream of thought so beautifully.
ReplyDeleteI loved the prose very much. It felt familiar. XXXX Much love.
ReplyDeleteI notice you use the analogy of weaving quite often. It's so effective and delicate.
ReplyDeleteA close group to grow with as we change is sure a win
ReplyDeleteGood for you that you maintained and kept alive the friendships from HS. Facebook, 8 years ago, put me back in touch with many old and lost friends, high school, college, theater and vocations.
ReplyDeleteSo amazing to have such a network of friends. Love the haiku.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to still have ahold of that common thread, and be there for each other over time. I like the way it all came through in the writing.
ReplyDeletePat
Good friends are a true gift of life. Neither distance nor time separates friends. A great haibun. Love the haiku!
ReplyDeleteI love this and how the passing of time makes us kinder, more tolerant. Great to find your friends for life.
ReplyDeleteThe prose and haiku show how things and people become more beautiful with age, a glow of, as you said, empathy not usually afforded to the verdant green leaves, so to speak. I sometimes miss the carefree demeanor with which we high school friends all shared. But there's something better than that. More glorious.
ReplyDeleteAs I read your prose, Grace, I was reminded that I'm still in touch with two of my school friends and married to one! And yes, our faces are 'delicately stamped by passing time' and the 'fabric of our stories have become heavier and darker'. What I love about keeping in touch is that although we are scattered across the country and, in some cases, the world, when we do get together nothing has really changed. Your haibun really chimed with me and the haiku is perfect!
ReplyDeleteyour haiku is heavenly Grace. how lovely to write about the friends you have, friendships that have lasted over the years and you view it as a tapestry, that became richer and stronger because of each life thread weaved into it. this is my favourite haibun from you.
ReplyDeleteI love the gentleness of the prose. About age and wisdom. That haiku took my breath away. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's a nice place to arrive: "we have now arrived at the same spot - more tolerant, kinder and compassionate to each other"
ReplyDeleteHow nice that you all have each other, and have arrived at a lovely spot together. Haiku is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful portrait of you and your friends' transition. Love the way your prose and haiku complement!
ReplyDelete