on the mend . . .
this long afternoon
stitched by swallows
Published by
Marion Clarke
Marion Clarke is a poet and visual artist from Warrenpoint, Northern Ireland. She has been studying and writing haiku for over a decade and her work features regularly in international journals. Winner of two Sakura awards in the the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival Haiku Contest, and shortlisted in the Touchstone Awards, Clarke's poetry is included by invitation in two national collections of haiku from the island of Ireland.
A selection of her poetry and artwork is at http://seaviewwarrenpoint.wordpress.com/
View all posts by Marion Clarke
34 thoughts on “”
Sitting on my porch with the sparrow song. This hit home.
.
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.
Best wishes
marion
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
Great news – I'll look forward to finally meeting up with you and Karen! :)
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. :)
Sitting on my porch with the sparrow song. This hit home.
Thank you, David! ?
marion
.
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.
Thanks for your kind comments.
marion
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
A 'household' of birds – what a great collective noun, Alan – if it doesn't exist already! :)
marion
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.
Best wishes
marion
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
Great news – I'll look forward to finally meeting up with you and Karen! :)
marion
beautiful
Thanks! ?
marion
This is lovely in its choice of consistent language (mend and stitch) and with how much it suggests: illness, activities, nature.
I'm pleased you enjoyed this once, Lynne. Thank you.
marion
last line " stitched by swallows" very nice ,something unique and striking.
with regards
S.Radhamani
Thank you for commenting.
marion
Lovely haiku.
Will enjoy reading it ongoing.
Jan
Thank you, Jan. :)
marion
Thank you, Jan. ?
marion
"stitched" is a great choice, beautifully placed.
Bill Kenney
So pleased this works for you, Bill. Thanks for commenting. :)
marion
Can't count the ways I love this one, thank you.
Thank you, Jane!
marion
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.
Thank you for detailing your response so carefully. It is much appreciated. :)
marion
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
You are so right Marion. We heal in the present.
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. :)
I'm delighted you like this one, Mary and love your interpretation. Thanks so much for your kind words. :)
marion
Great haiku as always Marion
Aw, thanks, Rachel! x
marion
beautiful!
Thank you for reading and commenting, Dawn! :)
marion