finally
the graveyard, too,
abandoned

 

—

Issue 15.1 | 17 June 2015

10 Responses

  1. Marilyn Hazelton Says:
    June 17th, 2015 at 9:30 am

    Oh, my goodness! I am amazed by your poem's emotional impact.
    It's alright . . .
    It's alright now . . .
    Rest . . .

  2. Bruce H. Feingold Says:
    June 17th, 2015 at 9:50 am

    Don has a wonderful touch especially about life and death matters —- I highly recommend his latest book, Yield to the Willow which showcases his unique haiku voice

  3. Alan Summers Says:
    June 17th, 2015 at 11:31 am

    .
    finally
    the graveyard, too,
    abandoned

    —DON WENTWORTH

    And whether neglect or generations moving away, or passing on, a local graveyard becomes even quieter.
    .
    .
    unlacing the shoe
    on his sole
    mud from the gravesite

    Alan Summers
    Blithe Spirit Vol. 6 No. 3 (1996); Does Fish-God Know (YTBN Press 2012)
    .

  4. Sheila Sondik Says:
    June 17th, 2015 at 12:37 pm

    Resonant! Thank you. One of my new favorites.

  5. kalaramesh Says:
    June 17th, 2015 at 7:16 pm

    Don,

    Like this ku a lot.
    Most poignant

  6. Pravat Says:
    June 17th, 2015 at 7:50 pm

    Dear Don,
    It is a beautiful haiku. It means a lot!

  7. haikuapprentice Says:
    June 18th, 2015 at 10:09 pm

    Truly haunting Don. The use of "too" at the cesura evokes such wabi melancholy. Powerful and effective haiku.

    Thank you for sharing

    Strider

  8. seaviewwarrenpoint Says:
    June 23rd, 2015 at 12:03 am

    This could be just after a burial and a relative has lingered a moment longer than the rest of the congregation at the side of their loved one. Really touching, Don.

    marion

  9. essaycool Says:
    July 8th, 2015 at 12:17 pm

    I think it's my favourite haiku of all your works. All in our world will abandon. This haiku means a lot.

  10. hammerandtongs Says:
    June 2nd, 2016 at 2:10 pm

    Beautifully written. Such a haunting sadness informs the words.

    Death claims family and friends, sends them to the graveyard, the last resting place.

    But "O grave where is thy victory? O death where is thy sting?"

    The graveyard is abandoned too. Life moves on.

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