AnElephantCant miss the challenge again
He was not in a good place last week
But he is back once again
To inflict some pain
On Penny and the others who critique
AnElephant’s offering for the weekly Līgo Haībun Challenge, courtesy of the lovely Nightlake.
A Pink Elephant
The Haze
He lives his life in a perpetual haze.
Although not, sadly, a purple one.
No, it is more a haze of greys, for he is colour blind, able to identify only the brightest, most vibrant colours.
When he meets her, as arranged, in Glasgow’s Kelvinside Museum and Art Gallery, a magnificent building from the late Victorian era, he hopes to view a few sculptures, perhaps an animal or two – he loves the Elephant! – and then go for a stroll along the banks of the River Kelvin in the eponymous park.
She heads straight for the exhibition of Impressionist Artists.
As she regales him with the magic that is Monet, the subtle dapplings of leaves on water, the delicately induced sky, he confesses his disability.
She is, surprisingly, considering how their relationship ends, sympathetic and helpful.
Over the following weeks she educates him, explaining the Colour Wheel, Primary and Secondary colours, and how the addition of black or white changes shade while varying the mix of subordinates alters the tone.
He sees much more on his daily walks, his lifelong enjoyment of trees, birds and flowers enhanced greatly.
But he still exists in a perpetual haze.
life is a rainbow
illuminated by the sunshine
of colour
Sound Bite Fiction 
Dear Elephant,
As an artist who’s known for being addicted to purple, I can’t fathom being colour blind. But i’d say that pachyderm possesses an inner rainbow that shines through his verse. I found your story to be bittersweet in that she’s looking for a way to end the relationship while teaching him to see the subtleties of colour. I hope you’re in the pink today. ❤
Shalom,
Rochelle
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AnElephantCant claim to be eagle-eyed
He can’t always tell greens and blues apart
But his life is not duller
Because it lacks a little colour
He still sees the sunshine that comes from a friend’s heart
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Well said, my big hearted friend.
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a heart felt reflection…from the fear of being different to someone reaching out and bringing some light to enjoy life a bit more. ♥
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I can’t imagine what it is like to see in perpetual grey. Interesting that learning about colour helps your narrator/ you to see them. Enjoyed this a lot, but being as you know I’m nosey, the line that stood out for me was: ‘She is, surprisingly, considering how their relationship ends, sympathetic and helpful.’ Well done on your special mention!
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Thank you for your kind words and you interest.
Yes, understanding brings clarity of vision.
And well done for being the only person to pick up on that line.
Another story altogether!
Perhaps AnElephant will tell it some day.
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You snuk in as a special mention, with 2 judges wanting you in, and one …me, overruled! Well done! Very good haibun, and am looking for 1st person to see personal experience, my only point. Thanks for participating – stay with us! http://www.yakutia-coppercure.co.uk/2/post/2013/07/ligo-haibun-challenge-0507-1207.html#.Udfr1vlM_c8
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Thank you, Monsieur Pirate, but AnElephant is confused.
While he admires your honesty here, he reads on your blog the word ‘personally’.
So is this a general rule or just your own view.
Just seeking clarification,
And thanks for your visit.
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Pleas don’t be! My ‘overruled’ joke was my cantankerous humour, in reality we all agree or don’t and if don’t then move onto next, not that it is of vital importance, but it’s nice to be fair. Absolutely no rule here, only my own view or suggestion but not request,, as I try to nudge haibun writers towards ‘personal experience/viewpoint’ in their haibun – very much as you did so well last week. Not anything in stone, and surely banished as an idea when the next one comes along…
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Loved the haiku and how it ends and relates to the prose.
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Cool, Eric, thanks for taking the time to visit and comment.
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A beautiful play on words with a masterfully done haiku
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AnElephant is smiling at your praise.
Thank you so much.
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Though I’ve only just discovered your site through this challenge I am smitten. I love your opening poem. And I love your stories, and the way you tell them. They make me smile. This is great.
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You are way too kind.
AnElephant is enchanted by your words and your compliments.
Thank you – and please come back!
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Lovely Elephant. You always are such a joy to read having an added bonus of your verse first.
I do quite agree with Alastair. Opening ones heart is better than just opening ones eyes alone.
Rainbows are fansinating, since we all see them just a tad differently – so science says.
You illuminate us with your words 🙂
Thank you for your visit to my haibun.
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Ah Jules, as delightfully kind as ever.
You say the sweetest things and AnElephant is humbled.
Thank you and big hugs.
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not a pain at all, but a real treat! a pleasure reading this haibun 🙂
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Thanks, kz, just so sweet as always.
Always good to see you here.
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AnElephant consistantly blows my mind
Without a purple haze!
Tes mots ne sont jamais sans couleurs
mais toujours vivaces et a l’aise;
Que du bonheur!
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UnElephant est un vrai arc-en-ciel.
Tu as toujours raison, cherie.
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Excellent haibun! The flow, the mood, the shades blending perfectly. A wonderful haiku!
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Ah, praise from the master, and the judge!
Thanks, Penny, just glad you enjoyed it.
Hugs
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companionship breaks through the colorless clouds. sweet
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Thank you for your visit and your neat comment.
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Identifying colours do not really matter, as long as he admires, appreciates and enjoys them. Beautiful haibun and a lovely B&W artwork by Phil.
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Thank you once again for your sensitivity and support.
I will again pass your words on to Phil.
Much appreciated.
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I love this. It is something that I have always felt. Not being colour blind because I am not. Having a disability, then telling someone, you expect them to walk away from you, unwilling to have anything to do with someone that is not “perfect”. Your story shows that there are people who are willing to look past that and to accept people on who they are as a person, not on how they see themselves
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It’s a funny thing, people always ask what is different.
Well duh!
Dunno!
Never seen what you see!
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Enjoyed the haze.
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Thank you, sir, very kind.
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Perpetual haze, I love it. Well done, though your last line: ‘of colour’ is not 5 syllables? or am I being pedantic?
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(I hope AnElephant doesn’t mind me jumping in here to explain)
With this challenge, it does not have to be 5/7/5 That was a mistake I made in the first few weeks. As the haiku has to fit the story or poem, sometimes (like here) having it being the exact syllables would detract from the whole feel of it.
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Ok I understand. My first go today. Thanks.
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Also…traditonal Japanese haiku, does not translate to 5/7/5 as American students were taught long ago…I was taught that way too – There are different camps in regards to counting… I, being used to such have risisted the change, but I have been able to reach outside the ‘box’.
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Thank you for your lovely words.
Much appreciated.
And as everyone and their mother has already pointed out, haiku is pretty well free form!
Hugs
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