Today the haibun prompt is by Bjorn. He asks us to describe one of our walks or walking. This is posted at dVerse.
The Time of Hummingbirds
My daily walk covers the same territory but the view is never the same. Snow falls, sleet peppers me, sun bakes me, spring alternately chills me or makes me sweat. Birds fly singly or in droves, hawks circle overhead, snakes cross the path in front of me, the neighbor’s dog sometimes follows me. The grass is deep green or tender new yellow green or brown from winter’s cold. As I walk I talk to myself or I silently compose a poem inside my head. Yesterday I talked to my mother, dead since June. Mostly I am silent, listening to the sounds of the changing seasons. Many times I cut my walk short to climb my favorite tree and to sit – on top of the world! Yesterday I found a tiny rock shaped like an egg. I put it into my pocket pretending it was a hummingbird egg. Today when I came home from my walk, I discovered a tiny brown young brown hummingbird sitting in one of the azaleas. He flew off immediately but I knew the time of hummingbirds had come. I went inside and filled several feeders to hang.
hummingbirds have arrived –
it is still cold at night –
but still we survive
Apr 30, 2018 @ 17:59:33
Hi Toni- I’m not taking part tonight (just too tired)…but I came by to read yours. Ever since you kicked that snake by accident ages ago, I always return for more glimpses of your terrain or backyard. This was a lovely walk and comforting that you communed with your mum. I love how the arrival of hummingbirds change the scene to something new. (Yikes…I noticed snakes slithering across your path…shudder!)
Apr 30, 2018 @ 18:01:41
Just black racers – harmless. They keep rodents down. Now the snake I kicked was a poisonous one. I still take my sword with me as a walking cane, just in case. Thanks for stopping by to read. Hugs to you
May 02, 2018 @ 10:43:21
Oh! I see. Sword?…sword? You’re full of surprises!
May 02, 2018 @ 11:10:50
A wakizashi given to me years ago by my ex lover who also taught me how to use it. I still do my forms daily.
May 02, 2018 @ 14:15:35
A woman of many talents. More respect to you!
May 02, 2018 @ 14:16:40
As are you my friend!
May 02, 2018 @ 15:14:40
😊
Apr 30, 2018 @ 19:03:58
I like the parallel between finding the egg-shaped rock and then later seeing an actual hummingbird.
Apr 30, 2018 @ 20:58:36
“Yesterday, I talked to my mother, dead since June.” A powerful line!
Apr 30, 2018 @ 21:02:57
Thank you Jo. She was nonverbal for several months before she died. I became used to carrying on conversations with her for hours at the time. After she died, it wasn’t any different.
Apr 30, 2018 @ 21:27:54
What a powerful walk, in powerful company. I like how you drew Hummingbird to you.
Apr 30, 2018 @ 21:30:30
Thank you
Apr 30, 2018 @ 22:45:38
I love this. Taking the same path but always a different view.Thanks for the reminder to hung the hummingbird feeder. A bit early but they will be here soon.
Apr 30, 2018 @ 22:51:34
I had friends who had them two weeks ago. I read an article recently in Audubon magazine that the hummers were showing up earlier and staying later. I guess that is one of the consequences of global warming.
Apr 30, 2018 @ 22:51:08
Your walk reminds me of many of mine. The trail is familiar but sights and sounds change daily, bringing new adventure and scenery. My son just gifted me a rock today. He said it was “slag” found within a railway track. It looks like a fish so I think I may have to paint it into one. Your haiku was like another layer to the prose….”it is cold outside/ but still we survive”, as I thought of the strength and survival skills we muster up when losing a loved one. How wonderful that you reach out to her during a walk.
Apr 30, 2018 @ 23:19:24
Thank you Mish. I miss her dreadfully. How best Southgate fish shaped rock! It has taken me awhile but I think I am going to survive.
Apr 30, 2018 @ 23:05:11
Would love to join you on this walk…but I did, didn’t I. Love those chats with our mothers.
Apr 30, 2018 @ 23:31:52
Yes ma’am you did! I miss her. This helps. ????????
May 01, 2018 @ 01:55:24
How wonderful to live in a place where hummingbirds visit. I like the pensive quality of your writing and the way the mood of your haibun changes when you see the bird.
May 01, 2018 @ 02:53:42
You have so much to see on your daily walks, Toni. Walking is great for inspiring poetry, whether it’s the landscape, flora and fauna, or just the rhythm of your body moving. I also talk to my mother. I love the way your walk took you from the egg (pretend hummingbird) to a real ‘tiny brown young brown hummingbird sitting in one of the azaleas’.
May 01, 2018 @ 03:37:26
So poignant and the hummingbirds lift our spirits. So good to be able to talk with those gone but do live on with us in so many ways.
May 01, 2018 @ 05:21:28
Encountered hummingbirds in N. Mexico – fantastic creatures. A lovely evocation of the walk, the conversation, the composition, the contemplation and particularly liked the tree climbing. Transporting. Thanks.
May 01, 2018 @ 06:01:06
I love how you describe the walk… it’s the same but never the same… the things you can find, the poems you write (yes I do the same). I think poets are walkers in real or in thoughts. I would love to have hummingbirds, but we have a garden with wood so there is always a bird.
May 01, 2018 @ 09:08:09
I was there with you on your walk — and climbing your tree! I’ve hung the humming bird feeders too. No takers yet, but I hear they’re back in town.
May 01, 2018 @ 11:44:06
So far I have 3, including the young male. Last year I hung up 5 feeders and they were packed. I must have been the only person in the neighborhood with feeders!
May 01, 2018 @ 11:43:13
A lovely haibun Toni and I enjoyed walking with you. Even on the same paths there is always something different to see and it sounds like a peaceful place to talk with your mum too :o) xxx
May 01, 2018 @ 11:46:44
I enjoyed having you in the walk with me. It is away from traffic and all that nonsense being in the country. Love to you, Eivor and Pearl.
May 01, 2018 @ 11:47:33
Thank you Toni, much love back from all of us here :o) xxx
May 01, 2018 @ 11:56:39
BTW, how is Eivor’s writing coming along?
May 01, 2018 @ 12:18:24
He helps me when he can :o) xxx
May 01, 2018 @ 12:34:31
??
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May 01, 2018 @ 14:42:33
It is the time of hummingbirds. I know your Mother was glad to hear from you. A beautiful write!!
May 01, 2018 @ 14:44:13
Thank you!
May 01, 2018 @ 15:55:04
I love this glimpse into the various seasons of your walk — the changes in weather, flora, and fauna. Such a walk is a good time to think, and write, and talk to those we love and miss.
May 01, 2018 @ 16:03:14
Yes ma’am it certainly is!
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May 01, 2018 @ 16:13:40
What a happy omen, that rock-egg! And I celebrate with you in your declaration, “on top of the world!” Sometimes we all need to be there, even for just a fleeting moment.
May 01, 2018 @ 16:16:56
Yes we do!
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May 01, 2018 @ 17:45:10
A beautiful descriptive write Toni – you took me there.
I am glad you still talk to your mother; it helps in the healing when you miss her so. My parents died a long time ago and I am at peace with that.
My best friend died 16 months ago and I still miss her. I have a photograph of her in a drawer and now and again I take it out and say Hello Jackey and kiss her image. I still really haven’t come to terms with her death, but in my head & heart I celebrate her life, she brought joy to many, joy to me.
Hugs.
Anna :o]
May 01, 2018 @ 18:33:34
Oh Anna. I am so sorry for the loss off your friend. I can relate. I lost my dear friend Peggie about 3 years ago and I still miss her. She was such a joyous person. My mom died last June. It does help to be able to talk to her. Hugs to you.
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May 02, 2018 @ 10:07:19
I enjoyed reading about your walks! A highlight was when you put that round rock in your pocket pretending it was a hummingbird egg.
May 03, 2018 @ 22:24:30
I like the idea of you climbing a tree for the view, Toni! Hummingbirds are fascinating creatures.
May 03, 2018 @ 22:59:10
I can see far!