Serenity

Serenity 🍂

                Sheltering nature's serenity, dense, tannin-brown woodlands …

                  puzzled bushes, too, entice, offering welcomed respite.

                    Gingerly step 'tween tumbled twigs; lances of sunshine shimmer

          brightly, piercing a lush canopy.

                   Ever so gently, peace surrounds - golden reflections, free-falling

               memories of childhood, discovering Mother Nature's magical ways.

               Footsteps pause, soft winds whispering past melodies … smiling,

Fall, pirouetting leaves....🍂

earthen resting place

seasons flowing motions shift

'morrows waiting gifts

Author's Note

Haibun
(translated "Haikai Writings" is a form that combines Prose and Haiku)

It was first used as a kind of travel journal by the 17th-century Japanese poet, Matsuo Băshō.
It was a form he often popularized as travel accounts.
Haibun poetry is used to write autobiography, diary, essay, Prose Poems, and very short stories.
Traditional Haibun typically took the form of a short, precise poetic description of a place,
person or object, or a diary of a journey or other events in the poet's life, followed by a related haiku.
Haibun is now written worldwide and the form has been adapted into different variations.

Reviews

[M.E.Lyle]

You painted this picture so perfectly. Suddenly I found myself running down a trail covered with autumn leaves and surrounded by mother nature.
Thank you so much.

[Susan 🦋]

Thank you for reading! :-)

[Relic]

Awesome poetry. I've never heard of Haibun until now. Reading this slow is like a mediation. The descriptions are top-notch. The tannin-brown woodlands, lances of sunshine....the metaphors...such great reading, Susan. Love it. :)

[Susan 🦋]

Aww Thanks Tim :-)

[Charlotte Flores]

Your poem paints a beautiful picture of nature's serenity, with its dense brown woodlands, tangled bushes, and the gentle dance of falling leaves. The imagery of walking among the tumbled twigs and sunshine filtering through the canopy is vivid and inviting.

The mention of childhood memories and discovering Mother Nature's magical ways is heartwarming and nostalgic. It's a reminder of the importance of connecting with nature and finding peace in its embrace.

The closing lines, with the reference to the earth as a resting place and the waiting gifts of tomorrow, offer a sense of continuity and hope. It's a reminder that even as seasons shift and change, the beauty of nature endures, and there is always something new to discover and appreciate. Thank you for sharing this lovely poem.

[Lisasview]

Oh gosh Susan.. you are truly brilliant!!!
The image is perfect...and your writing pulls the reader in and flows so well that the reader is compelled to read on... and then read your words again!!
Fabulous..
I am plodding along learning as I go.
Just posted my very first Cameo poem...well, not exactly a cameo as I placed three rhyme words in my poem... So, I am calling it a rhyming Cameo...
If you have a moment I would love to hear your take..
Going back again to read your lovely poem.
Lisa, late afternoon in Spain

[Susan 🦋]

You are too sweet! Thank you for the lovely review. I just went to look for yours. Looks like you are in the middle of edits...

[Lisasview]

Yes, I needed to fix two things.. It is back on.
Thank you so much.

[Fabian G. Franklin]

It sounds very peaceful, like the flowing of a stream almost; that gurgle and trickle bubbling around stones, forming little eddies and falls; or the wind whispering through branches slightly rustling the summer leaves before the hush and calm between breaths. I enjoyed.

[Susan 🦋]

Thank you for reading and for the lovely review!

[William Michael Reeves]

Nature's puzzle ... a tumble of twigs. I like how you then solve it with light, peace, memories and a bit of magic. Good thing morrow has many waiting gifts or you'd have a rhyme there. The Japanese poetic police would have to write you a ticket!

Haibun was so difficult for me. Trying to find my poetic voice in prose was tough. How did it feel for you, as a poet so deft with the rhymes?

[Susan 🦋]

Hi Bill, this is my first Haibun. I don’t write a lot of prose or free verse… probably because I like my rules lol So, I enjoyed the challenge. Honestly, it was a nice change. Normally I’m so hyper focused on iambics/ syllable count etc… I’ll probably try this again soon 😊

[Wondering Mind]

A wonderful form. And wonderful imagery . Kudos

[Susan 🦋]

Thank you for reviewing! :-)

[willweb]

A very soft and soothing poem that seems to echo quietly through the trees. This is how I heard it as I read it. It was a wonderful walk down a leaf covered path through majestic trees that seem to be watching my every move. The image is beautiful but the poem is amazing. Long wait for something new but damn well worth it.

[Susan 🦋]

Hi Will, Thank you for this review! As a child, I would visit my cousin who lived on a dairy farm in Northern Wisconsin, surrounded by fields and woodlands. That was the inspiration. :-) As far as the wait? :) yes, life seems to be taking up my writing time!