.
on the mend . . .
this long afternoon
stitched by swallows
—MARION CLARKE
.
The use of stitched in the last line after the opening line is 'on the mend' is very effective.
We are lucky where we live, as we have a house of sparrows, possibly a swift or two, and soon will swallows dominating the sky with the aforementioned birds, plus our blue tit family, and house martins.
I like the meditative middle line where you are perhaps in a mending haze, plus a little boredom, but also trancelike where swallows will indeed make a Summer.
warm regards, happy recovering,
Alan Summers
President, United Haiku and Tanka Society
co-founder, Call of the Page
Thank you, Alan – how lucky you are indeed to be surrounded by all those birds. ?
You read my boredom due to illness well. Whenever I was off school due to sickness, my mother used to give me little craft projects to work on like stitching patchwork, as it took my mind off childhood illnesses such as measles, mumps etc. I remember watching birds for my bedroom windows rising up and down (usually gulls) and it suddenly brought the two together.
Where we live, even though it's in a commuter town, has a street of birds and song and chirping, and gossiping, and saying hello constantly. Our narrow stretch of sky is filled with House Martins; Swifts; Sparrows; crows and blackbirds etc…
They often fly so low they zoom just above my left or right shoulder. Amazing to sit outside and have so much life swirling and twirling around us.
If you ever pop over you'd have fun! Meadows by us, behind a top Real Ale pub, and a great family pub further up, and a wood, and a river, and a lot of wildlife re four and two legs. :-)
on the mend . . .
this long afternoon
stitched by swallows
—MARION CLARKE
Of course your haiku could also mean you are on the mend from tragedy too. I think this poem will become one of those classics that people will never tire of reading and be comforted by it.
That's an incredible achievement.
warm regards,
Alan
President, United Haiku and Tanka Society
co-founder, Call of the Page
Sounds like you live in an idyllic location, Alan – particularly for a poet.
And, yes, you have tapped into a deeper layer. I am hoping that I will start to mend (although some days it feels like I'm only beginning to grieve) the death of my youngest sister, Niamh, who was also my best friend.
You can't begin to know how much your final words mean to me. Many, many thanks.
We will meet up. I will be coming over to Ireland either late this year or early next year. We can have some fun, and talk haiku now and then too. Karen will be with me, and you will love her!
:-)
The last line "stitched by swallows" speaks volumes. It tells lot of things. For instance the first thought that comes across mind is "deep silence" mind is absorbed in thoughts of own. Then the next thing that comes to mind is "Pause". Every now and then the mind is calm and quite however it is also the individual who is silent, since he is absorbed in his own thoughts.
"this long afternoon" means afternoon that is stretched. It also means more or less everything that is going on in mind is absolutely important however there is no need to find a new place to take a break. All that is going on in mind is to make sure everything finds a way of it's own as far as problems are concerned.
now & then a poem will take your hand, "come over here i have something to show you." – as this one does . . . a glimpse into a parallel world . . . or the past. maybe even the future, if our prayers are being heard.
Thank you for these words, Ken. Sometimes it's difficult to see anything positive in this world full of war, suffering and death. Then, unexpectedly, we find ourselves absorbed in a moment and it feels like some sort of healing salve has been applied – whether it lasts just a few seconds or the length of an afternoon.
Marion, I love this in so many ways. The link of mending and stitched creates so many images in my mind as I read and reread this poem. I love looking at swallows and think of those swallow tail "stitches" in the sky pulling together the pieces we need to put back in order. This is a new favorite of mine. :)
May 31st, 2017 at 9:03 am
Sitting on my porch with the sparrow song. This hit home.
May 31st, 2017 at 1:52 pm
Thank you, David! ?
marion
May 31st, 2017 at 9:06 am
.
on the mend . . .
this long afternoon
stitched by swallows
—MARION CLARKE
.
The use of stitched in the last line after the opening line is 'on the mend' is very effective.
We are lucky where we live, as we have a house of sparrows, possibly a swift or two, and soon will swallows dominating the sky with the aforementioned birds, plus our blue tit family, and house martins.
I like the meditative middle line where you are perhaps in a mending haze, plus a little boredom, but also trancelike where swallows will indeed make a Summer.
warm regards, happy recovering,
Alan Summers
President, United Haiku and Tanka Society
co-founder, Call of the Page
May 31st, 2017 at 1:52 pm
Thank you, Alan – how lucky you are indeed to be surrounded by all those birds. ?
You read my boredom due to illness well. Whenever I was off school due to sickness, my mother used to give me little craft projects to work on like stitching patchwork, as it took my mind off childhood illnesses such as measles, mumps etc. I remember watching birds for my bedroom windows rising up and down (usually gulls) and it suddenly brought the two together.
Thanks for your kind comments.
marion
May 31st, 2017 at 3:59 pm
A lot of hard work, as the previous owners were not bird lovers. But we want a household of many types of birds, and are getting there.
Yes, we have a particular kind of bordom and frustration when ill, and our mind may visit different places.
warm regards,
Alan
May 31st, 2017 at 4:39 pm
A 'household' of birds – what a great collective noun, Alan – if it doesn't exist already! :)
marion
June 1st, 2017 at 9:23 am
Where we live, even though it's in a commuter town, has a street of birds and song and chirping, and gossiping, and saying hello constantly. Our narrow stretch of sky is filled with House Martins; Swifts; Sparrows; crows and blackbirds etc…
They often fly so low they zoom just above my left or right shoulder. Amazing to sit outside and have so much life swirling and twirling around us.
If you ever pop over you'd have fun! Meadows by us, behind a top Real Ale pub, and a great family pub further up, and a wood, and a river, and a lot of wildlife re four and two legs. :-)
on the mend . . .
this long afternoon
stitched by swallows
—MARION CLARKE
Of course your haiku could also mean you are on the mend from tragedy too. I think this poem will become one of those classics that people will never tire of reading and be comforted by it.
That's an incredible achievement.
warm regards,
Alan
President, United Haiku and Tanka Society
co-founder, Call of the Page
June 1st, 2017 at 12:56 pm
Sounds like you live in an idyllic location, Alan – particularly for a poet.
And, yes, you have tapped into a deeper layer. I am hoping that I will start to mend (although some days it feels like I'm only beginning to grieve) the death of my youngest sister, Niamh, who was also my best friend.
You can't begin to know how much your final words mean to me. Many, many thanks.
Best wishes
marion
June 2nd, 2017 at 6:41 am
We will meet up. I will be coming over to Ireland either late this year or early next year. We can have some fun, and talk haiku now and then too. Karen will be with me, and you will love her!
:-)
Alan
June 2nd, 2017 at 7:50 am
Great news – I'll look forward to finally meeting up with you and Karen! :)
marion
May 31st, 2017 at 9:11 am
beautiful
May 31st, 2017 at 1:43 pm
Thanks! ?
marion
May 31st, 2017 at 9:13 am
This is lovely in its choice of consistent language (mend and stitch) and with how much it suggests: illness, activities, nature.
May 31st, 2017 at 1:42 pm
I'm pleased you enjoyed this once, Lynne. Thank you.
marion
May 31st, 2017 at 9:55 am
last line " stitched by swallows" very nice ,something unique and striking.
with regards
S.Radhamani
May 31st, 2017 at 1:42 pm
Thank you for commenting.
marion
May 31st, 2017 at 1:44 pm
Lovely haiku.
Will enjoy reading it ongoing.
Jan
June 1st, 2017 at 12:47 pm
Thank you, Jan. :)
marion
May 31st, 2017 at 2:09 pm
Thank you, Jan. ?
marion
May 31st, 2017 at 8:19 pm
"stitched" is a great choice, beautifully placed.
Bill Kenney
June 1st, 2017 at 12:47 pm
So pleased this works for you, Bill. Thanks for commenting. :)
marion
May 31st, 2017 at 8:30 pm
Can't count the ways I love this one, thank you.
June 1st, 2017 at 12:46 pm
Thank you, Jane!
marion
June 1st, 2017 at 10:13 am
Absolutely interesting.
The last line "stitched by swallows" speaks volumes. It tells lot of things. For instance the first thought that comes across mind is "deep silence" mind is absorbed in thoughts of own. Then the next thing that comes to mind is "Pause". Every now and then the mind is calm and quite however it is also the individual who is silent, since he is absorbed in his own thoughts.
"this long afternoon" means afternoon that is stretched. It also means more or less everything that is going on in mind is absolutely important however there is no need to find a new place to take a break. All that is going on in mind is to make sure everything finds a way of it's own as far as problems are concerned.
June 1st, 2017 at 12:46 pm
Thank you for detailing your response so carefully. It is much appreciated. :)
marion
June 4th, 2017 at 2:44 pm
now & then a poem will take your hand, "come over here i have something to show you." – as this one does . . . a glimpse into a parallel world . . . or the past. maybe even the future, if our prayers are being heard.
June 5th, 2017 at 1:38 am
Thank you for these words, Ken. Sometimes it's difficult to see anything positive in this world full of war, suffering and death. Then, unexpectedly, we find ourselves absorbed in a moment and it feels like some sort of healing salve has been applied – whether it lasts just a few seconds or the length of an afternoon.
marion
June 5th, 2017 at 11:59 am
You are so right Marion. We heal in the present.
June 13th, 2017 at 9:15 am
Marion, I love this in so many ways. The link of mending and stitched creates so many images in my mind as I read and reread this poem. I love looking at swallows and think of those swallow tail "stitches" in the sky pulling together the pieces we need to put back in order. This is a new favorite of mine. :)
June 13th, 2017 at 10:48 am
I'm delighted you like this one, Mary and love your interpretation. Thanks so much for your kind words. :)
marion
June 16th, 2017 at 10:01 am
Great haiku as always Marion
August 15th, 2017 at 4:16 am
Aw, thanks, Rachel! x
marion
July 7th, 2017 at 6:51 am
beautiful!
August 15th, 2017 at 4:16 am
Thank you for reading and commenting, Dawn! :)
marion