on the mend . . .
this long afternoon
stitched by swallows

 

34 Responses

  1. David J. Bauman Says:

    Sitting on my porch with the sparrow song. This hit home.

  2. seaviewwarrenpoint Says:

    Thank you, David! ?

    marion

  3. Alan Summers Says:

    .
    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

  4. seaviewwarrenpoint Says:

    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

  5. Alan Summers Says:

    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

  6. seaviewwarrenpoint Says:

    A 'household' of birds – what a great collective noun, Alan – if it doesn't exist already! :)

    marion

  7. Alan Summers Says:

    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

  8. seaviewwarrenpoint Says:

    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

  9. Alan Summers Says:

    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

  10. seaviewwarrenpoint Says:

    Great news – I'll look forward to finally meeting up with you and Karen! :)

    marion

  11. rowdyprisoners Says:

    beautiful

  12. seaviewwarrenpoint Says:

    Thanks! ?

    marion

  13. Lynne Rees Says:

    This is lovely in its choice of consistent language (mend and stitch) and with how much it suggests: illness, activities, nature.

  14. seaviewwarrenpoint Says:

    I'm pleased you enjoyed this once, Lynne. Thank you.

    marion

  15. datta2014 Says:

    last line " stitched by swallows" very nice ,something unique and striking.
    with regards
    S.Radhamani

  16. seaviewwarrenpoint Says:

    Thank you for commenting.

    marion

  17. janbentexas Says:

    Lovely haiku.
    Will enjoy reading it ongoing.

    Jan

  18. seaviewwarrenpoint Says:

    Thank you, Jan. :)

    marion

  19. Marion Clarke Says:

    Thank you, Jan. ?

    marion

  20. chief276 Says:

    "stitched" is a great choice, beautifully placed.
    Bill Kenney

  21. seaviewwarrenpoint Says:

    So pleased this works for you, Bill. Thanks for commenting. :)

    marion

  22. janewilliams Says:

    Can't count the ways I love this one, thank you.

  23. seaviewwarrenpoint Says:

    Thank you, Jane!

    marion

  24. aniketnikhade Says:

    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.

  25. seaviewwarrenpoint Says:

    Thank you for detailing your response so carefully. It is much appreciated. :)

    marion

  26. Ken Olson Says:

    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.

  27. seaviewwarrenpoint Says:

    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

  28. Ken Olson Says:

    You are so right Marion. We heal in the present.

  29. marykendall Says:

    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. :)

  30. seaviewwarrenpoint Says:

    I'm delighted you like this one, Mary and love your interpretation. Thanks so much for your kind words. :)

    marion

  31. Rachael Stanley Says:

    Great haiku as always Marion

  32. seaviewwarrenpoint Says:

    Aw, thanks, Rachel! x

    marion

  33. Dawn Apanius Says:

    beautiful!

  34. seaviewwarrenpoint Says:

    Thank you for reading and commenting, Dawn! :)

    marion

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