For Merrill’s prompt at dVerse – a quadrille. A quadrille is a poem in any form with exactly 44 words using the prompted word, sans title. The word today is “rise”. A haibun in the manner of Basho.
Haibun: The Balloon
“Perhaps wisdom… is realizing how small I am, and unwise, and how far I have yet to go.” Anthony Bourdain
The day I buried my mother’s ashes was a hot summer day. I untied the balloon from my wrist and let it go. I watched it rise quickly to the sky.
balloon rises to heaven
and clears the trees –
my heart goes with it
kanzen sakura 
Apr 22, 2019 @ 16:54:47
Poignant, as usual. Reminded me of my own mom’s ashes. I wasn’t there when my dad scattered them in the Firehole River at Yellowstone.
Apr 22, 2019 @ 17:38:36
I am sorry Linda.
Apr 22, 2019 @ 16:58:25
Another perfect haibun; your tribute to your Mom is so touching, the white ballon rising like her soul.
Apr 22, 2019 @ 17:38:10
Thank you Glenn
Apr 22, 2019 @ 17:01:25
Fantastic Toni.
Apr 22, 2019 @ 17:04:18
Reblogged this on Frank J. Tassone and commented:
#Haiku Happenings #8: Toni Spencer’s latest #quadrille #haibun for #dVersepoets!
Apr 22, 2019 @ 17:36:55
Thank you for the reblog Frank.
Apr 22, 2019 @ 17:44:10
My pleasure, Toni! 🙂
Apr 22, 2019 @ 17:26:35
One wonders why Anthony Bordain cut short the journey to which he refers. Sad. Your words are a lovely tribute to your Mother. Blessings.
Apr 22, 2019 @ 17:34:18
All we con figure is that suddenly, he didn’t want to be Anthony bourdain anymore. People are not aware of how many chefs commit suicide, have mental health issues. A chef dies from suicide every day. I almost did it myself one day.
Apr 22, 2019 @ 17:39:12
Poignant, Toni, but you create a lovely image in the balloon rising.
Apr 22, 2019 @ 17:39:39
It was hard saying goodbye to her.
Apr 22, 2019 @ 17:41:29
Of course it was. Hugs.
Apr 22, 2019 @ 17:43:37
This is beautiful… It reminds me of the day of my grandmother’s memorial service. We also released balloons, because it would have been her birthday.
Apr 22, 2019 @ 18:50:09
Beautiful poem. No balloons released for my mother. I wanted to keep her close in my heart. She went on ahead, but her remains are tucked away. One day we will be united.
Apr 22, 2019 @ 19:36:45
You paint the scene so perfectly, bringing us into your own sacred moment. The haiku tugs at my heart. A beautiful tribute in gesture and in this quadrille.
Apr 22, 2019 @ 19:56:03
I hope you will release some pain as well.
Apr 22, 2019 @ 20:10:52
Love this one. Thanks for sharing 🙏
Apr 22, 2019 @ 20:12:01
And so it does. We both wrote of death today Toni. Hugs to you.
Apr 22, 2019 @ 20:52:10
So touching and profoundly sad. I was moved.
Apr 22, 2019 @ 21:10:59
This is vey tender Toni. What a warm gesture… 🙂
Apr 22, 2019 @ 22:32:16
Beautifully done!
Apr 23, 2019 @ 02:09:38
I love your haibun quadrilles, Toni, which are always full to bursting with emotion. This one is particularly poignant. I’d prefer a sunny day funeral with balloons to drizzle and pungent flowers.
Apr 23, 2019 @ 12:29:59
Nice remembrance of your mother in that rising balloon.
Apr 23, 2019 @ 14:23:06
A humble yet uplifting quote and haibun, Toni…thanks for sharing your heart with us.
Apr 23, 2019 @ 15:33:24
Oh what tender moment to release the balloon … love its symbolism
Apr 23, 2019 @ 20:15:56
A departing spirit that will always hold your heart. Well told.