Garden Of Inanimate Delights

Lesson 5: Haibun

Wand'ring 'round a flowered yard, finds more than garden veggie fare ... 'tween grassy paths lay random plots of earth -- beds of rich imagination stirred. Sweet peas climb ornate headboards, where dreams once were had. Rickety, rusty frames stand end to end, o'er sleepy lettuce heads ... snuggling quilted kale. Wildflowers planted with intention, wave 'mongst purposed petals -- wildly free. Honeysuckle drips hummingbird love, who hover, to say a curious hello. Beguiled bees search nature's colors, only to find metallic flowers ... no pollen found, just glass 'n steel. In a garden of imagination, anything grows! Windy whirlies spin breezes that carry an iron balloon tethered to a two-dimensional girl. Ceramic gulls perch 'pon shipyard pilings, anchored deep in fertile soil; a crying rock weeps on one, beside a laughing and sad mask together ... tragic comedy plays out before them in a birdcage, that caught a purple cat! Some goofy gardener's devious designs are at work here. Signs point every which direction. A mazed ramblin' rover, gets happily lost for the day ... turned night, revealingly nocturnal wonders enchanted, reflective eyes behold. Globes and torches, like stars in the sky, come alive with photo-sensitive flames -- ignited animated emitting diodes of mesmerizing fire. Flickering luminous shadows hypnotize a weary wayfarer into picking a bed, pulling up some vegetables, to dream just a bit longer ... in this garden of inanimate delights. rouge rose re-wakes flush fleeting beauty cascades soft nourishing petals 2022

Author's Note

Haibun is poetic prose written in the second person about a journey the author has taken. The prose is accompanied by a haiku which is related, but not about the subject in the prose.

I struggled with this one. This was my third attempt to get it right. I learned a lot about my own limitations as a poet and writing without the structure of rhyme and meter. In the end, I found a voice in this form, and the determination to find it was a challenge well met.

The pic is of the crying rock part of the garden. Those who are at the dawn of love, are also goofy gardeners!

Reviews

[Aura]

A lovely piece about one's own imaginary garden! If I had an imaginary garden I wonder what would grow? Perhaps strawberry trees, cherry trees... money trees?! Would be a dream lol! I think you put in a valiant effort in this haibun Bill, it doesn't come easy to write firstly in second person or without a rhyming Scheme, but I liked how you wrote out poem, full of wonder and imagination. Your Haiku is interesting as well, nourishing petals soft and in passionate red color! Nicely done, thanks for sharing!

[William Michael Reeves]

Thanks Aura. Actually, nothing imaginary about the garden. I only touched on half the stuff in my friend's yard. I wish the picture had gone through. This was tough to write. Felt awkward. Got an A for it though. Sonnets are next. Stay tuned!

[Aura]

Oh I see. I can imagine how it could've felt awkward, bring used to rhyming, Meter , and being tossed this new "lion" that needs to be tamed. Congrats on your A!

[William Michael Reeves]

When I win the lottery tomorrow, I'll grow one of those money trees!

[Aura]

😂 good idea! Imagine the headlines " Lottery winner plants worlds first money tree... on his way to make millions more!"

[Stuart Munro]

A took me there poem , I thoroughly enjoyed

[William Michael Reeves]

Thanks Stuart.

[Patricia]

A wonderful piece William, if you did struggle it was worth it cuz this one is very beautiful with wonderfully described images, I love this one

[William Michael Reeves]

I hate to think I’m as dependent on rhyme and structure as I seem to be. I wrote two others trying to find this voice. But got good ideas out of the struggle I can use in something else. Thanks Patricia

[Neville]

I really dig this particular poetic form .. but then, I'm just another goofy gardener .. Neville

[William Michael Reeves]

Goofy is, as goofy does. Picking a peck of pickled poetry. Digging deep into poetic design.

Your avatar reminds me of 'Clockwork Orange '

[Cherrie Palmer]

It's wonderful when a poet tries a new form and walks us through the journey.
Bill, Your poem turned out marvelous.

[William Michael Reeves]

Thank you Cherrie. Ma'volous is just what I needed to cool me down. Thanks. Be awhile for new forms. Decided to knock out the Sonnets next. Richard put four of them on the list. Billigami is 😊. (Phone died. Got a new one. Still fiddling with it.)

[Betty Hermelee]

I love your imaginative garden, wish I had one!! you certainty created color, texture, shapes of all sizes.. "beds of rich imagination.."Had not heard of this style before, but you crafted it well.... you are really experimenting with your poetry WM, I think it's wonderful...I love the goofy gardener and his signage...and the iron balloon tethered to a girl....Great fun!
Best, B

[William Michael Reeves]

It's a small yard, but packed with fun! The big beds all have bed frames at each end. Love that novel idea. Haibun was awkward for me to write. Glad you liked it. Thanks Betty

[Betty Hermelee]

you're very welcome WM!
Best, B

[John the Baptist]

If this offering represents a journey taken, it must have been a mental one. It reads like a dream, with vivid images appearing suddenly, then superseded by others. It would make a very interesting video.

[William Michael Reeves]

It was a walk around the backyard. The two previous attempts at this form were a journey up and down the edge of a sword, and a walk down Route 66 to the Rio Grande. The subjects were too complicated. I needed to simplify the journey and concentrate on the images. I was surprised at how awkward writing prose in the 2nd person was. I wish the pic went through. Most of the things in this poem are in it. That would be interesting if I could recite the poem as I walked around the yard on video. Thanks John