Tag: haibun

January 14, 2021 – – haibun

As another grey day winds down, I hide in a new writing corner. This is my first, and hopefully, last pandemic winter. Last year, the infamous 2020, covid 19 may have been lurking in January, but no whistle had been blown. It wasn’t until mid-March on the cusp of spring that the World Health Organization declared a world pandemic.

Cold, damp, and dry, winter is our flu season, the time people typically get colds and flu so it is no surprise that COVID numbers are skyrocketing. I have been staying home but as of today it’s mandatory in Ontario…the pressure on society and the suffering of many is palpable, my salvation being gratitude for food, shelter, a home and so far, good health.

COVID winter

in the deep freeze dreaming

a Pfizer jab

.

.

©️2021 Ontheland

the visit – – haibun

The other day I was towelling off after a shower when I noticed a shape at the window. I lifted the curtain and there before me was a white hen. She had clearly wandered from someone’s coop. With a gaze, both casual and intense, she pecked at the glass as if she wanted to come in. Though unsuccessful in finding her owner, we found a family willing to add her to their flock.

.

.

winter night

I wonder about

the visiting hen

.

.

©️2021 Ontheland

The Great Conjunction – – haibun

Last night, December 21, 2020, was the night of a rare astronomical event. Some were calling it the ‘Christmas Star’ or ‘Solstice Star’ but neither description is quite right as the ‘Great Conjunction’ refers to the alignment of two planets, Jupiter and Saturn. They were to be bright lights in the southwestern sky near the moon. One writeup compared their brightness to the star followed by the three Wise Men thousands of years ago.

.

my winter solstice . . .

moon and stars

cloaked by clouds

.

Though not a surprise after a day of rain, it was a disappointment. Today the sun has returned. Perhaps I will see Saturn and Jupiter tonight.

©️2020 Ontheland

is it snow? – – haibun

Is it snow? It floats, it blows…I extend my arm…no flakes land, but yes, tiny flakes are falling …very tiny flakes landing as wet slush … no white icing on the deck or grass, but yes, snow is falling!

And now, the flakes are bigger, landing in white splotches.

loud barks

break my reverie

a parcel at the door

.

.

©️2020 Ontheland

from above – – haibun

On the ball again . . . my stability ball. I think of the tiny creatures I can barely see, blending in with the dark garden soil. I first notice them when they move. The other day I pulled out my camera when I saw a miniature frog in the back garden. Each time I hovered from above, it hopped away.

finding Waldo

hidden in the weeds

a tiny frog

.

.

Now it’s your turn. Waldo is hiding in each photo.

©️2020 Ontheland

JACOB BLAKE

stepping into the car that holds his children . . .

under what circumstances would shooting a man in the back eight times at close range be a reasonable action for a police officer?

are men in uniform not held responsible?

silence

the long whir of the fan

into the night

.

.

©️2020 Ontheland

Researchers have collected stats about police shootings in the United States. The hundreds of people killed by police each year (many unarmed) and the disproportionate number of black victims is troubling.

Here are two informative links:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/protests-spread-over-police-shootings-police-promised-reforms-every-year-they-still-shoot-nearly-1000-people/2020/06/08/5c204f0c-a67c-11ea-b473-04905b1af82b_story.html

Report of Police Integrity Research Group, Bowling Green State University