haibun ハイブン (Starling Series #2)
starlings sweep shadows
dance of creation
impala springs free
Rolling and roiling in endless variation, miraculous it seemed that each bird knew the dance
Evening advanced, but the jubilation continued unabated in the sky above me
Suddenly in the brush, an impala leaped high in the air. I saw at once, the lioness
On her tail. She gave a mighty leap, but the impala also knew this dance, and deftly sprang
Safely to the side. She continues her mighty life dance for another day with the show up above her. The lioness turns away with regret.
lioness mourns
empty mouths tonight
mice escape mamba
It is difficult to choose sides in this contest called life. Why life for one spells death for another
Is a mystery beyond me. Predator and prey belong in life’s circle, each seeking the steps to see
Another sunrise tomorrow.
hyena laughs
God touches earth
elephants trumpet
Suddenly the birds seemed to create a twisting spiral, and a scene did appear not unlike Michelangelo’s
Frescoes on the Sistine Chapel where God extends one finger to man, and man reaches forth to make
Contact with the Divine. He doesn't live our life for us, but makes it possible. Did he program the pattern for this formation into the starlings’ DNA? Is that one of his favorite scenes man in His image has made?
© 2017 david w palmer
For the second in my Starling Murmuration Series, I am presenting a haibun: half haiku, half prose. The haiku shows relationship between seemingly disparate things. The prose portion tells you more about how the poet got there either by explaining the situation more, or adding comments on his own meditation. I am presenting the latter. I would love to see some of you join me in creating a haibun attempt.
