Haibun Poem-
Nana and the Coat
Originating in Japan, Haibun poetry combines prose and haiku. The range of haibun is broad and frequently includes autobiography, diary, essay, prose, short story and travel journal.
The term "haibun" was first used by the 17th-century Japanese poet, Matsuo Basho in a letter to his disciple Kyorai in 1690. Basho was a prominent early writer of haibun, then a new genre combining classical Chinese prose genres and vernacular subject matter and language. He wrote some haibun as travel accounts during his various journeys.
A haibun may record a scene, or a special moment, in a highly descriptive and objective manner or may occupy a wholly fictional or dream-like space.
This week I am using the Haibun poetry form to relate an episode from my own formative years. My first haibun concerns a memorable exchange between me, a coat and my Grandmother who brought with her the valuable experience derived from raising 9 children.
Nana and The Coat-Haibun
Poetry
Stubbornness has its drawbacks, when
pitted against a stronger personality, a wiser woman. A person with a superior stubborn
streak. A visit to the city with Nana Smith sounded like a super idea for a
small boy. A chance to wear my new coat. A woollen coat ideal for keeping out
winter’s chill. Nana, having raised nine children of her own advised me my
woollen coat would be an inappropriate choice of apparel given the forecast-
warm to mild weather. An exchange of opinions took place at the front gate
between the cypress trees of her Lake Road residence. Even the intervention of
my Mother failed to shake my resolve to wear that coat. When all else failed, I
cried and wailed. Nana proposed that I wear the coat, as I was insisting, but
under no circumstances was I to remove it or ask her to carry it. Displaying brilliant
ignorance I accepted her offer. I got my wish. I thought I had won. Returning
home late that afternoon my Mother greeted us at the gate. Nana smiled somewhat
triumphantly as the know-all child with the ruddy complexion and the fevered
brow finally peeled off his woollen coat. Hot, bothered and decidedly wiser for
the experience.
Grandmotherly smarts
Derived across a lifetime
Outwits ignorance.
Oh, I love this! So fun and funny...yet a universal moment for all of us. A wonderful haibun. I have really enjoyed writing haibun as well. I love your description of the form. It helps me understand that I'm still on the right path of haibun.
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda. I am pleased you found my explanation of the Haibun form helpful. Happy haibun times going forward.
DeleteOh, resolute grandchild pitted against strong, stubborn grandmother. Not hard to see who would win this contest. I think I would like to try haibun.
ReplyDeleteYour final sentence makes my post so worth it Ramona. Have fun with Haibun!
ReplyDeleteWhat are those wise words: "Live and Learn"? Your wise grandmother allowed it, something that feels okay to me. You still remember, too. I do enjoy those memories, Alan, often poignant. And often I'd love to sit with any of my grandparents now to have a long chat. I have more questions. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI find myself in full agreement with your observations Linda. In particular the unfulfilled desire to ask more questions.
DeleteWhat a funny story. It made me think of a time I just wouldn't give up on something I wanted to do when I was five. I didn't know about haibun poetry, so thanks for this post, Alan!
ReplyDeleteMy post appears to have sparked a memory Janice and at the same time alerted you to Haibun. Two good outcomes from my point of view. Thank you for your response.
DeleteChildren can be stubborn and I like the idea that you thought you won until the end of the day. I also know that the wisdom of years overrides childish thoughts in many cases. We learn and then pass on our knowledge to our family and so on. I love writing haibuns. Yours is full of story from a different time and that's what I especially like about what you wrote.
ReplyDeleteStubbornness is a strong trait among children when learning to grapple with the demands of an expanding world. Thank you for your response Carol, and like you, I enjoyed this poetry form. As you imply, the past has much to teach us when we use it to reflect.
DeleteWonderful haibun Alan, –your closing haiku is the icing on the cake-perfect. Love grandmother outwitting ignorance, thanks!
ReplyDeleteThank you Michelle. Glad you enjoyed the closing lines of the haiku. The story set it up quite easily. She was a smart woman, my grandmother.
DeleteOh and the image is delightful!
ReplyDeleteGlad you like the images Michelle. From the archives...
DeleteThank you for sharing this informative information in this post, i will visit again soon for new latest post.
ReplyDeletelongmire coat