Grateful to dear Eric Lohman, Editor, Fresh Out: An Arts & Poetry Collective for the publication of my 2nd #shahai in his journal on 28th May. This royal bird was caught by me on my evening walk—perched on the wall of a hostel.
A shahai, combines a #haiku/tanka and an image. The image usually does not directly correspond to the haiku/tanka, but connects to it subtly. #haiga, #shahai, #birds, #peacock, #rewilding, #poetry, #poetrycommunity
Delighted to have my haibun featured in the lovely Contemporary Haibun Online journal (cho), issue 18.3.
So very grateful to dear Terri Hale French, Haibun Editor for her guidance & acceptance. Thanks to Rich Youmans, Editor for the publication.
Rewilding
During the pandemic, we are confined to our homes for many days due to lockdown restrictions. The streets are deserted, with little traffic. I go to the terrace to watch squirrels that nest at the top of the evergreen tree in the garden and to converse with the koel, bulbuls and pigeons that visit. Watching the sunrise and sunset colouring the sky and the leisurely movement of clouds to a soundtrack of birdsong becomes a joyful ritual.
One day around sunset, a fawn wanders onto the street from the neighbouring forest. Maybe the silence of the usually noisy city leads him to venture here. I am reminded of the Disney world of Bambi and rush down the staircase to view the scene more closely and also to see that he is protected from stray dogs. By the time I get to the street, the fawn has disappeared. Where could he have vanished? Was it a mirage caused by the deepening dusk?
Disappointed, I come back inside and what do I see? The lovely Bambi and my dog, Rumi, sitting in the garden, gently licking each other like old friends.
first drops. . .
animals of the forest
safe in Noah’s Ark