“The Fairy Tree,” A #Haibun

Posted byColleen M. ChesebroPosted inTanka Tuesday Poetry ChallengesTags:, , , ,

Welcome to my contribution to my weekly #Poetry Challenge, where you can write your own Haiku, Tanka, or Haibun using the prompt words of peace & tear. Remember, synonyms are encouraged. Please read the directions on my challenge post to make sure you are following the rules for these forms of poetry.

Please read the directions on my challenge post to make sure you are following the rules for Haiku, Haibun, and Tanka. ❤

This week, I decided to write a Haibun with a Tanka, called “The Fairy Tree.” I used “calm” for “peace” and “splitting” for “tear.”

Both words have many connotations. Depending on how you use your synonyms you can alter the meaning of your prose & poetry in many ways. Don’t be afraid to experiment with synonyms. Sometimes subtle meanings pack the most punch in your poetry. Play with the words for different reactions.

The best poetry has layers of meaning.

Image credit: Pinterest: Quotes about poetry

Scarlet skies afire
splitting the calm asunder
silence tears the morn.
Wheat heavy with the harvest
announces autumn’s glory.

I crept closer to the fairy tree which stood like a lone sentry in the middle of the field. The late summer wheat, thick with seed heads undulated like waves as I forced my way through the scratchy stalks. At the base of the tree, I gazed between the branches filled with golden leaves. The bees clustered at the opening to the apiary emitting a gentle hum which soothed my nerves.

Quietly, I watched the activity in the hive. I felt no fear and knew the bees would recognize me. I spied the queen at once. Her body was larger and heavier than the other bees. Her female workers gathered around her performing the spirit dance – an homage of sorts to their royal genealogy. Tiny black and yellow bodies twirled and clustered about the majestic mother. Myriads of lacy wings beat a gentle song remembering an ancient heritage written through the ages.

The queen had one job, and that was to lay eggs. This summer I watched as she laid over 2000 eggs a day. The drones were long gone having been evicted from the colony after they had mated with the queen. Her royal highness would have no need of the drones from here on out. She had enough sperm to last for at least five years. Their deaths had been necessary for the survival of the hive’s collective consciousness. I knew the legacy of this colony needed to survive. I had to find the answers.

© 2017 Colleen M. Chesebro

I have entered the writing zone! My fairy nymphs have summoned me, and I am working hard on the second book in The Heart Stone Chronicles series – The Meadow Fairy. Abby Forester, the Fairy Whisperer, must solve the mystery of the disappearing bees! ❤

Read: Why Are the Bees Dying?

fairy vibes

Next Tuesday for the next poetry challenge.

Published by Colleen M. Chesebro

An avid reader, Colleen M. Chesebro rekindled her love of writing poetry after years spent working in the accounting industry. These days, she loves crafting syllabic poetry, flash fiction, and creative fiction and nonfiction. In addition to poetry books, Chesebro’s publishing career includes participation in various anthologies featuring short stories, flash fiction, and poetry. She’s an avid supporter of her writing community on Word Craft Poetry.com by organizing and sponsoring a weekly syllabic poetry challenge, called #TankaTuesday, where participants experiment with traditional and current forms of Japanese and American syllabic poetry. Chesebro is an assistant editor of The Congress of the Rough Writers Flash Fiction Anthology & Gitty Up Press, a micro-press founded by Charli Mills and Carrot Ranch. In January 2022, Colleen founded Unicorn Cats Publishing Services to assist poets and authors in creating eBooks and print books for publication. In addition, she creates affordable book covers for Kindle and print books. Chesebro lives in the house of her dreams in mid-Michigan surrounded by the Great Lakes with her husband and two (unicorn) cats, Chloe & Sophie.

23 thoughts on ““The Fairy Tree,” A #Haibun”

    1. Thanks. I’m working hard on my second book. I’m thinking of putting a Haibun at the beginning of each chapter. ❤️

      Liked by 1 person

  5. I loved this, Colleen and thank you for sharing. Once again, timing is everything. There is so much need for the bees to be saved right now, so many taking up the quest. xx

    Liked by 1 person

    1. So important that their disappearance will be felt all the down the food chain. It is imperative for humankind that we save the bees. ❤

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I can relate. I’m not a speedy reader and I’m twice as slow with writing… I blame it on 20 years of editing… Editor brain is always “on” and that slows getting words to the page. Add to that, the huge drain (drain of all positive and good) that comes from work. Well, I’ve been working on book 2 of Atonement since 2013. :/
        Anyway, slow is not necessarily bad — it might mean you are writing better quality. More hugs.

        Liked by 1 person

  9. Pingback: Colleen’s Weekly #Poetry Challenge # 32 – LEAD & SAVE – Colleen Chesebro ~ Fairy Whisperer

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