Here are the amazing results for Creative Perspective Challenge Eleven!
- Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene: LINK
This beautiful poem is from Priscilla Bettis
Morning hush
is the hymn of the forest cathedral.
Gold and yellow aspen leaves murmur Matins,
And the manna of dew forms on the trail.
I drove my car to the trailhead instead of work.
A stray dog found me, is now escorting me
Like a penitent to the confessional.
I have sipped prophecies from styrofoam cups.
I have knelt before the punch clock
And offered my time card as a sacrifice.
A mile in, the dog slows. I am absolved.
We walk back. I palm a Psalm to take to work,
And drop the fur-clad priest at a shelter.
Here is my take on it. A haibun:
THAT FALL AFTERNOON
The cool crisp fall air and the crunch of the blushing leaves stripped away the layers of fear, stress, and regret with each step. All Hank and his lab, Toni had left of more prosperous times was what he carried in the backpack. Oddly enough, Hank felt more peaceful in this moment than he ever had in his days with a well-paying job, expensive car, and beautiful house. They hiked deeper into the forest that he’d barely looked at in years from his gilded estate’s expansive windows. When the inevitable knock came to his door, he wouldn’t be there to answer it. Hank grinned. It was easier than he ever imagined, leaving the golden life behind. It wasn’t worth his soul. A song from his childhood that his mother used to sing to him filled his heart. He sang it loud to the trees with a few well-placed howls thrown in by Toni. Life from now on was going to be an adventure, and the cave he remembered from childhood was just around the corner. Yes, it was going to be okay, wasn’t it?
government collapsed
cruel gangs, the replacement
time to start over
Note: Sorry this is late! I got sidetracked watching a sick grandchild. She is coming back today, so I may be late in responding. This is one determined virus…
Thank you for publishing my poem, Denise. I thought the prompt was really inspiring. Your haibun is inspiring itself: a the peace one finds in the woods is more comforting than hordes of money and things.
Your poem brought me such peace, Priscilla:) Thank you for allowing me to share it! There is nothing like the peace of nature over things we spend our days collecting, you are so right 🙂
That dystopian future–I’m trying to wrap my head around it because it’s more possible than it has ever been
Yes, indeed, Jacqui. That’s why I can only write that (what would have been a novel) in dribs and drabs as they boil to the surface, refusing to be kept in. It feels too likely. Thanks for reading. Hugs.
I’m having the same problem, Teagan. This possiblity won’t leave my writing brain alone either. I’m glad you are writing what you are and I can’t wait for more. At least when we write it we can give it a better ending! hugs back xo
Yeah, that’s the scary part about it, is that possiblity and a higher likelyhood, Jacqui. Where my mind keeps wandering when I’m not in my Christmas mood.
I love Priscilla’s poem! And how wonderful to get such great response. I do hope you’ll continue. At some point, life will slow down and I can jump in!
It was such a beautiful poem, Jan. So happy she shared it with us. I keep waiting for everything to slow down, so I definitely understand 🙂
Both great responses to the photo. xo
Thank you, Darlene 🙂 Thrilled to have such talented authors respond! xo
Hi Denise. Thanks for linking to my short story — and for sharing Priscilla’s poem.
I hope your granddaughter gets well soon — and that you stay well. Take care, and big hugs.
I loved your take, Teagan. Seems like we went down the same road on our own path. I look forward to more from yours xo Thank you, I already had and fingers crossed it doesn’t come back. hugs back xo
Great results to the writer challenge, Denise! Priscilla’s poem IS beautiful and your haibun is fascinating!
Thank you Timothy 🙂 I love to see what other talented writers come up with and I agree that poem was beautiful.
Three wonderful interpretations.
Sandra
Thank you Sandra:) I love seeing with our talented community comes up with xo
🌞😊
Thank you for sharing these
Happy to share, Sue. This has been a lot of fun.
I enjoy reading different responses and these are fabulous, Denise. I hope your grandchild is feeling better. xo
Thank you, Lauren:) Fun to see the different takes! She is better, thanks. Now her sister isn’t feeling well but at school. Xo
That’s good, Denise, but it goes around, doesn’t it? Hope her sister feels better soon too. xo
Priscilla’s poem gave me such a sense of peace – which I could really use right now, lol. I also enjoyed your take about leaving it all behind, Denise. Many of us can relate to that with everything going on. Hope your grandchild is feeling better!
A lovely poem by Priscilla and haibun from you, Denise. I read Teagan’s great contribution previously.
Thank you, Robbie 🙂 I love seeing the different perspectives.