Day 20:
Lighter
Swegeha', in the days when moms were low magic and aunties cackled like grackles well drunk, the world was lighter. Under the bruise of mulberry skies, cardboard strips and crayon tips were a treasure beyond measure to formative eyes. Eggshell cracks, bright cross braided, late little bell curves, and unlooping lace all trapped in wax on trash scraps.
Swegeha', in the days when the world was taller and uncles could grin sky wide, metal flashed and slashed down into the dirt. "Draw this." From cool slick sheen of a flip top bed... a head. Reach for red. Straight, sharp lines, plumes like blades, sparks of eyes, and angular rage carved to life upon cereal box flap. "Holy heck, that's good," drops a grin, "Maybe cuz you're Indian... too"
Protest: "I AM NOT!"
Grackles, mothers, and grinners
profess: "Yes you are."
ABOUT THIS POETRY FORM
A Haibun is a Japanese poetry form that that is both prose and a haiku written as one poem. It was popularized in the 17th century.
A prose poem, descriptive paragraph/s about a life moment. No line length.
Followed by a haiku to wrap it up.
Haiku rules, three line poem.
First line 5 syllables
Second line 7 syllables
Third line 5 syllables
I thought this was going to be an easy one too but it took a while to whittle down the memory to a couple of paragraphs that felt right. and writing a haiku is harder than it seems. I didn't capture the grace of a haiku but at least I got the syllable count right. Based on a true story. My uncle Bart broke the truth to me and I refused to believe everyone.
Cayuga langauge: Swegeha' = Long ago
