Not a ghost, but the emanation of some past emotion. That’s what I feel in that house in Havertown—the one my mother rented after my parents divorced. Have you noticed that some houses have their own emotional atmosphere? Well, that’s my theory, and if you’ve never felt a house reeking of love, terror, or despair, then it must sound weird to you. But this whole house makes me feel welcomed; my bedroom in particular—it’s as if someone has felt joy there in the past, and the feeling now lingers. . .forever. This room, painted a golden yellow, seems to glow all the time. Every molecule in its walls, floors—even the air—releases joy and serenity—at least for me. Here I also experience first love. I wonder if my feelings will join the room’s aura, biding there for future inhabitants.
thrush sings amid buds,
trees flower, and then leaves fall—
echoes hang in air
This Haibun is for dVerse, where Lillian has asked us to write a traditional Haibun—that is, a tight paragraph or two, which is a true account, not fiction, followed by a traditional haiku. The haiku should be nature-based but allude to the prose. It should have a seasonal word, and “a haiku must have two parts including a shift, an added insight. Japanese poets include a KIREJI (cutting word). BUT there’s no linguistic equivalent in the English language therefore punctuation creates the cut: a dash, comma, an ellipsis, an exclamation point. Sometimes it’s simply felt in the pacing or reading.”
Lillian has asked us to write about one of the first houses we lived in. This was not the first, but it was the first one we lived in after we moved from Dallas to Havertown, PA, when I was in 7th Grade.
This is also for Colleen’s Tuesday Tanka, using synonyms for the words beliefs and strange. I’ve used theory and weird in my prose. Colleen notes that a Haibun should be written as though it is happening now.
Wow! At first I thought it was going to go creepy but just good vibes throughout. The haiku is the cherry on top.
Thanks so much, D. 🙂
and what a story – i love this
Thank you, Beth!
I’m sure you added to the aura, Merril
Thanks, Derrick. 🙂
Houses are magical, completely emotionally charged xx
Thanks so much. They are!
This is a superb Haibun with a traditional Haiku to follow. This is one of your best, Merril. I love the descriptions of the house and your room. The Haiku alludes back to your prose in the most magical way: “echoes hang in air…” I’m enchanted. ❤
Thank you very much, Colleen. That is such a lovely comment! ❤
Seriously… this is how I want to write Haibun. It’s perfect. ❤
Awwww! That is so kind. Thank you!! ❤
I like this line: “biding there for future inhabitants”
Well done, Merril.
Thanks so much, Ken.
Mellow yellow glittering gold all in gentle glow – lovely and enchanting Merril thank you!
Thank you very much, Susan!
Very good story. Yes, rooms do have their own presence about them. It is great you felt joy in your room!
Dwight
Thanks so much, Dwight.
I remember when we were house hunting, and there was one house that just gave me such bad feelings. . .
Sometimes you just have to follow your gut feeling about choices to be made.
I like the idea that our emotions may cling to the places we live in.
Thank you, Frank.
Love that you could find such a place after the divorce… maybe sometimes a separation is the best and a way to find safety in a room like that.
Thanks, Björn. I think my mom took the house because it was available and in the location she wanted. The house she bought after that actually had a room that was more of refuge for me because it was in the attic.
Of course, I can relate to houses with auras. You know about two of mine. I like that you found refuge in an attic room of your own.
Thanks so much, Marian. I’ll have to tell you more in person some day. 😉
I will look forward to that!
Houses and rooms definitely have personalities, accumulated vibrations. I’m sure you added positivity to that room and that house. And love! (K)
Aww–thanks, Kerfe!
I love your haibuns, Merril, and this one is wonderful. I do think some houses put off vibrations of their past. How lovely it is to step into one that is welcoming in the way that you describe. 🙂
Thank you very much, Robin!
If you were welcomed, the house will pass on that feeling. Sounds lovely!
Thank you so much! That’s very kind.
A very interesting story from beginning to end. Excellent for a good reading.
Thank you very much.
Oh….I’m finishing up my reading of haibuns and so glad to come across yours. I wish you could be sitting here with me…to have heard my very audible “ohhhhhhh” after reading the last words of your beautiful traditional haiku and your entire haibun. This is just lovely.
I love those added details, “golden yellow” seeming to “glow” – it is just the added detail that brings the room into a physicality for us. And oh yes….I think it would be wonderful to have a room maintain the joy and love that it experiences….sort of like our words and mood affecting another person, it affects the walls and floor of rooms! The imagery and sound – kigo and kireji in the traditional haiku are beautifully achieved. Just a fabulous job with the prompt! Thanks so so much for posting!
Thank you so much, Lillian, for your very lovely and generous comment!
I love this Merril. Just seems right that this was the place you experienced your first love, adding to the joy of the place. Good!😊
Pat
Thank you so much, Pat!
YES, I’ve always found a personality in each house I’ve resided in. This one of yours (or I should say your mom’s) sounds like a beautiful soul. Or, as if it was inhabited by beautiful souls, indeed.
Thank you so much, Pam. I have to remember to ask my sister if she felt that, too.
This is very enjoyable. When you started with a reference to ghosts I was expecting something quite different to this joyous piece.
Thank you very much!
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What a lovely and perfect Haibun. I liked that the house was haunted by happiness and good vibes. I enjoyed the haiku also. 😀 xx
Thank you so much for your lovely comment! 🙂
You’re welcome. 🙂
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