AnElephantCant explain it
The older he gets the more he learns
So one more time
He knocks out a wee rhyme
In the knowledge he can never write poetry quite like Robert Burns
AnElephant enjoys this challenge hosted by his friend Al.
He asks both his loyal readers to take a moment to check out this page to see some superb interpretations of the Japanese Haibun, a literary form which explores the relationship between the human experience and nature.
For this week’s challenge AnElephant chooses the quote:
“Gathering her brows like gathering storm, Nursing her wrath to keep it warm.”
Copyright Alexandria Burns Club
Tam o’ Shanter
The quote comes from Robert Burns’ poem Tam o’ Shanter and describes, quite succinctly, the mood of the eponymous protagonist’s wife as she once again waits for his late return from market day in 18th Century Ayr, the local market town.
Tam, of course, is well-deserving of her ire, spending yet another evening in the company of his friend Souter Johnny.
But the poem comes to life as Tam finally mounts Meg, his gray mare, and heads for home.
His route takes him past Alloway Auld Kirk, an old church only minutes from Burns’ birthplace.
Here he sees warlocks and witches dancing, with Old Nick himself in attendance!
Tam foolishly reveals himself to the dancers and is chased by one particularly exuberant witch who grabs hold of Meg’s tail just as she reaches the Auld Brig – old bridge – over the River Doon.
Witches, of course, cannot cross running water, so Tam escapes at the cost of poor Meg’s tail!
reality and fantasy
perhaps are separated
by only a stream of thought
The above image comes courtesy of the Alexandria Burns Club in Scotland, from whom permission has been requested.
Sound Bite Fiction 
imaginative and well done. sad for Meg though
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Life is tough in the 18th century!
Happy to see you here, Padmini.
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Nicely done.A stream of thought.I like that idea very much.
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Glad you did, Paul, AnElephant enjoys it himself!
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Perhaps then I am very lucky indeed to have a creek on the edge of my property?
But then what if ‘they’ are already on ‘my’ side???
Cheers my friend ~Jules
I likes playing at ‘Thinking’ – I do!
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Lovely to see you visit here, Jules.
Hugs
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Can I interest you in a snow storm or two?
I played here:
http://juleslongerstrandsofgems.wordpress.com/2014/01/28/haibun-thinking-liberation/
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#Fantastic, I never knew the word to describe such writings before this moment.
However I have read many, thank you for sharing. #LearnSomethingNewEveryDay
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AnElephant is happy you enjoyed.
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I love the haiku here. Very profound
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AnElephant is delighted you caught his nuances there.
Thank you for visiting and taking the time to comment.
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Poor Meg! Funny fantasy…loved the haibun and a great haiku ending!
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Aye weel, it’s a wee bitty stramash on market day, ken!
Thank you, glad you enjoyed.
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lol…didn’t understand a word! What a lovely reply!
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I can still rattle off, from memory, (which may have a hitch, here and there):
Weel mounted on his grey mare, Meg –
A bitter nivver lifted leg –
Tam skelpit on through dub and mire,
Despising wind, and rain , and fire …
I don’t dare go and check it.
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Rock n roll, sir!
AnElephant is impressed!
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I’m not going to check to see how far out I was, though!
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I enjoyed the haiku.
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Thank you, AnElephant is flattered.
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This was such a clever take on the prompt, I loved your breakdown of the poem, great job 🙂
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AnElephant is a happy bunny!
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It was Burns day recently, wasn’t it? What a great poet and a funny man. I wonder what he would be writing if he lived today. I love your story, and the final haiku is a wonderful culmination. So fantasy witches cannot come into reality because they cannot pass the stream of thought? And visa versa, no doubt too. Chuckling, here. Great haibun, Elephant. Seems to me you have more than two loyal readers, my friend. 😉
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AnElephant adores how you catch every nuance of his ramblings.
Thank you.
And Rabbie would still be fighting for human and animal rights.
And, of course, making ladies swoon!
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In his dreams, no doubt, LOL. A lady on each arm, one in the pub and several in towns nearby… A scowling wife at home… Is that a male fantasy? One man is more than enough for me to put up with while I raise my two sons and daughter. LOL
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It is most certainly not AMaleElephant fantasy.
AnElephant often finds that one woman is far too many for his delicate sensibilities!
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LOL I’m glad you are discerning, Elephant.
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AnElephant has not lived for 137 years by being foolhardy where ladies are concerned!
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LOL
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Somehow I think that this tale of his will not appease his wife much, although it is much better than the more mundane excuses he could concoct, I’m sure.
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Aye, auld Kate is a battleaxe, for sure!
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I love that tail of where the poem came from. poor Meg’s tale though,
And a happy birthday to Rabbie. A great post from AnElephant
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Don’t forget to link up!
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AnElephantCant help being a donkey!
Thanks, Sir ST2, good to have a friend here!
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Reblogged this on photographyofnia.
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Fascinated me… I wished I could write like yours… Thank you, love, nia
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You are very sweet and too kind.
AnElephant blushes.
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