abandoned bird bath /
caked with rotten leaves and dirt – /
winter disorder //
All around me hidden birds are chirping, yet I have no food or water to give them. Today is moving day, and inside the house, boxes are stacked in kitchen room and living room, hallway and foyer … everywhere. I am drowning in boxes. I walked outside to clear my mind and was confronted by more disorder. This garden needs so much work done, and as much as I want to take care of the birds, I am barely prepared to take care of myself right now.
I’ve moved across the continent to where the weather is warm and the birds are new. They’re not as exotic as pheasants or peacocks … but to me they seem exotic because their colors are just slightly different. When I look at them, I feel like I’ve walked into a room and forgotten what I was looking for.
black bands and white throats /
identify perfect mates /
just as much as songs //
Back east, jays are blue with white bellies and black bars – out west they are blue with black bars and black hoods. Back east, jays have a slow but piercing scream. Out west, jays throw a rapid creetcreetcreetcreet around my shoulders. I’m disoriented but fascinated.
when the shrill jay screams /
little sparrows fall silent – /
I share their alarm //
A dozen sparrows are waiting in the neighbor’s yard, watching. I feel guilty. It wouldn’t take much work to make this little corner presentable and healthy. Sweep away the dead leaves, clean and fill the bird bath, get rid of the tent caterpillars. I could add a feeder, too.
The boxes can wait.
echoes of bird wings /
tossing water in the air – /
memory no more //
Northern blue jay (L) and Stellar’s jay (R). Wikimedia.
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This is written for Haibun Thinking Week 8: Freestyle Week. We were given several literary, film, painting, and photographic prompts to work with. I chose the abandoned birdbath.
I don’t think you’re supposed to start a haibun with a haiku, but I felt like doing it anyway. :)
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First image: Abandoned Garden Birdbath. Michael Grogan. For Haibun Thinking.
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I liked the fact that you started it with a haiku, it set the scene for the whole piece. So sad thinking about the birds in wait for their food.
A great post, and the birds were happy in the end :-)
Thanks Al :)
I tried over and over and over to give it a good *prose* opening, but just couldn’t do it. I wrote a haiku to clarify my thoughts, figuring I could convert the haiku to prose (perhaps). But … once I saw the haiku I decided to leave it the way it was. This haibun was hard-fought! o.O
And yes — gotta keep the birds happy. :D
I find that sometimes. Inspiration does sometimes come from a very weird place
Hey, you’ve got to take it however you can get it! :)
Very true :-)
Happy New home. And birds. :) x
Is it just me, or do you feel guilty when the birdbath goes dry (or icky!) or when the birdfeeder goes empty? I feel like they’re looking at me, judging!
I loved that. You have captured the chaos of moving, the excitment of discovering a new natural environment and that feeling of being overwhelmed by change beautifully. I love the way you decide feeding sparrows is more important that unpacking yet another box. Good luck with the unpacking and with getting to know your new feathered neighbours.
Actually…. I didn’t move recently … I just remembered what it was like when we moved about 3 years ago. So overwhelmed … but it helped so much to have the bird-garden taken care of and to have a nice view of active, happy little birds when I got to be too stressed out.
Birds come and go … but unpacked boxes have a way of *staying* unpacked … so … why not, right? ;)
Thanks Suzanne :D
Yes to unpacked boxes. I will be moving in a couple of months myself and will have do the packing before I unpack – groan.
Ugh! Not fun either way. :(
I’m sorry!
This is lovely Jen, some very strong and vivid images in your haibun. Enjoyed it very much.
PS The birdbath may look abandoned but it isn’t it just looks neglected as it is very old, it belonged to my grandmother so that makes it very old.
Oh! I didn’t realize it was your photo! I hope you weren’t offended by my description. How wonderful to have such a wonderful heirloom from your grandmother. :)
I’m very glad you liked the haibun – again, a hard-fought piece of writing. o.O
All good I am happy it gave you inspiration. When my grandmother died she had lived in the house next door to us. She had a great garden and the BB was in her garden. One day a man came buy and wanted to but it. Overnight my mother had my dad shift it to our place and there it has been ever since, at least 50 years I would think. Thanks again Jen for using it.
Wow! I’m glad your mother had the foresight to move the birdbath quickly.
Thank *you* for providing the photo and the inspiration —
— all the best to you —
Jen