“The Return” – A Haibun

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

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Welcome to my contribution to my Weekly #Poetry Challenge, where you can write your own Haiku, Tanka, or Haibun using the prompt words of power & allure.

The best poetry has layers of meaning.


Image credit: Pinterest – Quotes about Poetry

I used ‘beguiles’ for allure, and I kept the word power. Remember, synonyms are encouraged.

“The Return”


The heat from the noonday sun reflected off the low water filling the Arroyo. The glare blinded me, and I raised my hand to shield my eyes from the strength of the brilliant light. I step closer to the edge of the gully careful not to slip on the wet pebbles. Towering cottonwood trees with trunks twisted by the prairie winds, cluster near the bend of the creek. Leaves rustle in the gentle breeze. A sound catches my attention, and I glance over my shoulder.

There, perched on a boulder, is a lark bunting. The bird stares at me, and I stare back, bewitched by the blue-black color of its body and wings. I experience an uncanny feeling of déjà vu, and my heart beats in a quick staccato rhythm. The realization floods my senses, and I feel faint. Precious lark bunting, I knew you in another place and time.

Haunting memories –
bound by the power of love
‘tween mother and child.
The meadow fairy beguiles
as a new challenge awaits.

My calcite pendant recognizes you, too. It explodes by flashing a kaleidoscope of rainbow colors across the sky. My heart bursts with love and tears stream down my face. I remember you. I held you close inside my heart hoping to see you again.

© 2017 Colleen M. Chesebro

See you next week!

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.

30 thoughts on ““The Return” – A Haibun”

    1. Yes! That’s what I hoed for. Thanks, Merril. This piece will probably find its way into my second book.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Ohhhh, thank you, Pat. That was one of my favorite lines. I actually see a spot like this on our way to the Air Force Academy medical clinic. I wish we could pull over so I could get a photo. It is pure magic! ❤

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Guess you have to do like I do in Manhattan..be in the passenger seat, have a telephoto lense on the camera and hope for bumper to bumper traffic:) That sounds like a lovely spot:)

        Liked by 2 people

  11. Pingback: Colleen’s Weekly #Poetry Challenge # 35 – PAST & FUTURE – Colleen Chesebro ~ Fairy Whisperer

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