Shorts
The blankets on this couch –
I think of my little cat
getting cold at home.
******
Silence
full of thoughts —
Zen fail.
******
Pain unexpressed
hurts longer.
******
You swallow your rage.
Your dog snarls at me.
******
Who walks
the dark street?
Leaves rustle.
******
tide’s edge –
one sandal
sloshes
******
She screams at him
for not helping.
He has turned away
to call the ambulance.
Workshop writings from a meeting of the LitChix. We were attempting on-the-spot haiku, senryu and aphorisms.
Shared with Writers' Pantry #67 at Poets and Storytellers United
How easy it is to visualize all these situations as I read them ...very good indeed.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Robin, I'm glad they work.
DeleteI enjoyed spending these little moments with you, Rosemary. I haven’t been away from my cats for a while, but that’s how I am, thinking about them so much of the time. I love contrast of sound in these two:
ReplyDelete‘Silence
full of thoughts —
Zen fail’
and
‘tide’s edge –
one sandal
sloshes’
Thanks, Kim. I was trying for the sound effects, particularly in the sandal piece. So glad to know they worked.
DeleteLove it how you locked up whole stories in a few words
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm glad to know I managed that; thank you.
DeleteWhat an intriguing selection of haiku etc. It is so good to read these poems and let your mind imagine each scene.
ReplyDeleteJust what I hoped would happen. Thank you so much for this encouraging comment.
DeleteSuch sharp snippets full of thoughtful wisdom. One after the other. Clip clip snip.
ReplyDeleteWell, there were a few pauses, sucking the end of my pen.... I'm glad you found the thoughtful wisdom I hoped might be there to be found.
DeleteI can totally relate with "Zen fail". I have never been all that good at Zen. The unexpressed pain made me sigh--so true. And the last one is just sad; so many things go wrong when we fail to understand each other's behaviors.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your shorts!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed them dear Magaly, and could relate to them.
DeleteYou are a master of saying much with few words. (I know I repeat myself, but I'm ever amazed).
ReplyDeleteI am ever delighted (and a bit surprised myself) that you think so.
Deletethese little snippets of life are so real, so honest.
ReplyDeletesometimes, if one is not a trained first-aider, it is better not to touch the victim/patient, and to just call for professional help.
(a) Yes, that kind of immediate focus does make for honest impressions.
Delete(b) Some people keep calm in an emergency, others get hysterical. It's the calm who can best take action. (For myself, I am usually very clear and efficient while the situation lasts, then fall to pieces as soon as it's safely resolved.)
Now I'm so sad thinking of that little cat, cold without a blanket! Then, I'm left afraid. Rage, rustling in the dark, a lone sandal, a call for an ambulance... Oh, no, the poor little cat. His owner will never come home, will she?
ReplyDeleteI love that you made a story out of them all! But I did go home to my little cat, and she wasn't cold (she has a way of finding good spots to curl up in).
Delete"Who walks the street?"
ReplyDeletea cat
a dark robe
with a hat
...
Hmmm. Sounds ominous.
DeleteThese are wonderful snippets ... zen fail my favorite.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Helen. (Grin.)
DeleteThese were interesting Rosemary - loved the spontaneity!
ReplyDeleteWe had been discussing these short forms for some little time before writing; I think that must have helped with the immediacy.
DeleteThe second one made me giggle a bit as I've had those moments when the quiet that supposed to come during meditation turns into a din from all the thoughts demanding my attention. The third was a rather good reminder that there isn't much virtue in false stoicism.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rommy. I think lots of us can relate to the Zen fail, but perhaps not so many understand the point I'm making in #3. I'm glad you not only got it but articulated it here.
DeleteThe last one is so vivid. The pain, and the mistaken thought so poignant
ReplyDeleteHave a good week Rosemary. Thanks for dropping by my blog
Much💛love
Thanks, Gillena.
DeleteShort and sweet lines.
ReplyDeleteThat last one is bringing up a lot of questions for me.
ReplyDeleteI hope they are useful.
Delete