I live for languid mornings when the sun is partially covered by the clouds and aroma of coffee fills the air. It is the first of January and yet the heart is mournful, like branches of winter, is bare. There are so many people, so many loved ones who, as we speak, are on the edge of despair, who for some reason feel as though the world has come to an end. I keep shunning negative thoughts and hope that time heals wounds that seem to worsen though days are bright.
I place a camellia where aggression grows, sift sorrow and allow room for others to breathe; to feel lost is a terrible thing especially when one is surrounded by people. I don’t claim to be stronger than others, I too break as petals – the only difference is I have endured what they are enduring at present.
This new year, let us be a beacon of light, let us strive for betterment, both for ourselves and others. The alternative is much too terrifying to even consider.
Camellia petals
the rising sun offers warmth,
one need only see.
Photo credits: Pinterest
dVerse opens again after the holidays and we have Kim as our lovely hostess, inviting us
to write a haibun for the New Year. Come join us! 🩷
Posted for Being human on New Year’s Day @dVerse Poets Pub
20 Responses
I hope so much that we can better ourselves in such a way, but do we have a direction to what is betterment?
We have to start somewhere. Thank you so much, Bjorn 🙂 so glad the haibun resonated with you 💄❤️
I’m afraid I have started every New Year with a mournful heart since my mother died, but I also appreciate that there are so many people on the edge of despair. I love the idea of placing a camellia where aggression grows.
Thank you so much, Kim 🙂 so glad you liked it 💄❤️
(and thank you for the glorious prompt) 🥂
Oh how beautiful, Sanaa, and so wise too! Allowing “room for others to breathe” like camellias, an assurance that there is a “rising sun” to see. Gorgeous haibun.
Awww gosh! Thank you so much, Dora 😀 so glad you enjoyed it! 💄❤️
The ending is so hopefull and positive. I love this part specially: This new year, let us be a beacon of light, let us strive for betterment, both for ourselves and others. The alternative is much too terrifying to even consider.
Thank you so much, Grace 😀 so glad the prose resonated with you 💄❤️
I really love how you took the tragic and invested it with hopefulness, weaving humility and fear together with optimism and using the camellia as the release valve.
Thank you so much, Kim 😀 so glad you liked it 💄❤️
I place a camellia where aggression grows.
❤️❤️❤️
Sanaa, your haibun beautifully weaves a tapestry of reflection, compassion, and hope. The contrast between the serene morning and the underlying melancholy is deeply moving. Fantastic piece! 🌸🌅
~David
Aww gosh! Thank you so much, David 😀 so glad the prose resonated with you 💄❤️
I like your resolve to be a ray of light for those in darkness. We can acknowledge grief without letting it consume us. Beautifully written, as always.
Thank you so much, Kerfe 😀 so glad you enjoyed it 💄❤️
There is a gorgeous positivity in your haibun, Sanna. Wishing you a Happy and Healthy 2024.
“I place a camellia where aggression grows, sift sorrow and allow room for others to breathe; ”
There is hope in this. Beautiful writing.
Sanaa, this poem fills me with so much hope for the new year. May this be a wonderful year for you! Happy poetry writing. xx
What a beautiful, positive and wise write, Sanaa! Your words fill me with hope. ❤️