This was a piece I originally wrote in June of 2022 for a Garden Party themed writing challenge (though Teach Write as usual). I have not posted it to my blog before and wanted to do so now. Especially since today is my dad's birthday and this seemed like a great way to honor and celebrate him! The style of writing is called a "haibun" which is a form of poetry that combines prose and haiku.
Happy 62nd Birthday Dad!
I don't have the green thumb of my father or perhaps it is that I don't have the patience for plants that he does. I miss the signs of need or care that they communicate to him so clearly.
I wish I could harvest my own vegetables to admire or bask in the beauty of a bouquet grown by my own hand, but that is not a skill I have cultivated. I know a lot about plants -- textually -- but keeping them alive and healthy always seems to allude me.
Instead I will grow
the poetry and prose of
my pen on the page.
This a new poem form to me. I love your haiku and the celebration of your father. Now I’m off to learn more about hainun.
ReplyDeleteThank you! It's a form I should really come back to.
DeleteSo simple, yet so beautiful. I couldn't help but infer a connection between your father's patience and care and the way with which you choose words.
ReplyDeleteThanks, that was the idea :)
DeleteI was reading the Goldberg book for our book club and she talks about the haibun in it! I like growing words as well as growing flowers!
ReplyDelete"Growing words as well as growing flowers" is a great way to put it!
DeleteThanks for sharing. I have never heard of this type of poem before. I love the way the prose is about your dad and the Haiku links the two of you together.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'd never heard of it before this particular writing challenge -- I haven't done one since, but I think I should write another sometime soon.
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