AnElephantCant deny it
He sees this week’s choices and his old heart sings
He feels he must warn you
He chooses the artwork from Anja
And says thank you to Sally of the appropriately named MyBeautifulThings
AnElephant again tries this challenge hosted by his friend Al.
Please 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 takes inspiration from this magical piece of art from Anja.
Copyright Anja Partin
Angels and Mermaids
He does not know if she is an angel, a mermaid or a sprite.
He only knows she needs help.
He finds her lying on the beach, bruised, broken, perhaps feverish.
He takes her to his small cabin, wraps her in blankets, makes her tea, feeds her broth, tries to keep her warm.
It all seems to be to no avail.
She is icy cold, her life force fading fast.
He holds her hand, wipes her brow, prays to all the Gods he knows, but does not necessarily believe in.
He laces the broth with the local Water of Life.
He tries desperately, for days, to inspire her with his own life force.
It is a lost cause, but he cannot give up.
He hears a song in his head, whether from this or a previous or future life he does not know.
He sings to her.
‘If you had not have fallen, Then I would not have found you’
He listens to her breathing, prays it is getting better, hopes it is getting better, thinks it is getting better, knows it is getting better!
And then one day, as he sits with her, he sees the flutter of an eyelid, and his heart soars.
He gazes into eyes of purest aquamarine, eyes that transcend beauty, and his heart is lost forever.
She smiles at him, and her return to full health is rapid.
He watches her recovery with amazement.
She is fragile, even delicate, yet her determination to live is awe-inspiring.
As she regains her strength she tells him she loves him too, wants to stay with him forever.
He tells her no, she must go back to where she came from.
She smiles through her tears as she says goodbye.
He waits until she is gone before his heart breaks.
you cannot love
a butterfly
by pinning it to a wall
The last lines very powerful, even though he loves this angel/bird with wings. You have to let your loved ones fly, if they come back again you know thry love you back. But pinning and keeping her there would be terrible.
Thank, you, Amanda.
Your words are very true, yet sometimes difficult to carry out.
Yes, I agree.
Once again, you have transported me to a lovely place…
AnElephant’s pleasure, dear Dale.
I will check out the Haibun. Sound interesting.
very powerful haibun – your words weave quite a spell. It’s like an old fairytale. Lovely.
You are very kind, dear lady, AnElephant blushes with gratitude.
Elephant, I came expecting to smile here as I often do, but you brought tears to my jaded eyes. The loving haiku at the end, actually made my heart ache a bit. Such true words, so hard to follow. What wisdom you have in those pachyderm gray cells. Peace and Joy, Brenda
AnElephant is touched by your kind words, Brenda.
And sorry to cause you pain.
If you love it, set it free – words to live by.
Yes, true. You didn’t cause me pain, I was just deeply moved. Cheers, Brenda
This by far is one of my very favorites dear Brian 🙂 huggs
Ecstatic Elephant sends hugs to Roxi.
Wow, no more no less, just Wow 😉
Heffelump hugs, Helen.
Aww!
*sob, sniffle, weep, wail*
Jings, really?
Sorry, but it’s just a story.
A true one, of course, but AnElephant survives.
Beautiful haibun, deep and emotional.
Thank you, Sir ST2, AnElephant dances to his didgeridoo!
I can picture it.
What a fantastic Haibun. It really is a case of “If you love something, let it go”
Such stunning feeling in this, my friend. Beautifully written.
Cheers, Al, much appreciated, mon ami.
You’re welcome my pachydermical friend
Simply brilliant!
AnElephant glows pinkly!
Well for that I’ll send you a winky 😉
Oh crivvens, AnElephant is all squidgy from trunk to toes now!
Thank you, sweet lady.
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What a beautiful story with the almost inevitable heart-wrenching ending. And your haiku says it all – if only people had had your sense all those years when they killed butterfly after butterfly and still, we (the humans, I mean, not you and me) destroy so much of the life around us. What a thought provoking post! Thank you 🙂
AnElephant thanks you, MyBeautifulFriend, for your kindness and support.
Your words on the selfish indifference of man are sadly all too true.
I’ll go with Anja and Niasunset. So beautiful. So true.
AnElephant thanks you for your kind words and is happy you enjoyed.
Heartbreakingly beautiful…..the haiku is amazing. Brought tears to my eyes.
Inspired by the magic you created.
Thank you.
WOW! The last part, I mean the haiku hit me. So beautiful, so beautiful. Thank you AnElephantCant, your poetical spirit is amazing. Nia loves, 🙂
Once again your words touch AnElephant deeply.
Thank you.