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My One True Fear: Desensitization of Our Essence #dVerse

Haibun Monday arrives at dVerse Poets Pub and our host, Frank Tassone, asks
that we celebrate the spirit of Halloween by facing its heart:
 Fear!

The ancient Celts recognized the transitions of light that occurred during
this time of year in the Northern Hemisphere. The days grow noticeably
shorter. As peak foliage passes, leaves fall, leaving naked boughs and
spindly branches like arboreal skeletons across the landscape.
...
Small wonder, then, that the Celts believed this time of year to be the
one where the veil between living and dead was at its thinnest.
Samhain, their celebration of the new year, was one where they placated
their departed with feasts in halls that remained locked until dawn.

Now, we can scoff at the anxiety of ancient people. But we have our own
fears, don’t we?

News on the tube dazes & amazes
Makes one fear life for days on end
Brutal films pierce our tranquil esse
Leaving us pain not soon to mend

On its axis Earth’s rotating
Sun in 25-day-spins pirouettes
The planets orbit while whirling
Nicolaus Copernicus smokes a cigarette

age of fear
desensitizing
ask for more

*

brute fiction
to dodge non-fiction
you are here

Mayhem, gore, and our proclivity for more mayhem and gore: this is what I fear.


While at Earthweal, in their weekly challenge, APPROACHING SAMHAIN,
they explore the tradition with celebration.
Sarah Connor says:
I came across a beautiful notion when looking at Samhain/Halloween/Day of
the Dead traditions. The word "guest and the word "ghost" both come from
the German word geist — a spirit invited to join the feasting on the Day
of the Dead. That says to me that we can open our arms and our hearts to
the uncomfortable and the uncanny. We can accept the dark gifts they
bring — introspection, reflection, mourning, the discomfort of rebirth.

So for this Samhain, perhaps you could think about what you have
lost— willingly or unwillingly?

I adore both notions. Adore them! and I’m linking up to both websites. Thanks,
both!

Photo: Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay 
Happy Samhain celebrating, everyone. Be safe. I wish you miracles.

Selma Martin
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This Post Has 12 Comments

  1. Rob Kistner

    Desensitize, bamboozled with lies, reality brutalized. We are slowly going mad I fear!

    1. Selma Martin

      Indeed, Rob Kistner, at an alarming rate. Mad!
      Thanks for stopping here and commenting.
      Lead me to your work please. Show me your words.
      Be well. I wish you miracles.

  2. Yvonne Osborne

    We are desensitized by the boob tube, we let it happen in slow degrees. My father was wise in banning television from our house. It took many years for my siblings and me to appreciate that wisdom.

    1. Selma Martin

      Your father knew something even then. How very cool.
      But what ‘we are exposed to and in a way allowing the boob tube to do to us’ is way too sad. We need to reclaim our essence. It’s my prayer.
      Thanks so much for adding your voice here, dear Yvonne. Thanks so much. I appreciate you. Be well. I wish you miracles. 🤗

  3. K.Hartless

    Brilliant image of Copernicus. Love the final stanza to be present amongst the fiction and nonfiction.

    1. Selma Martin

      Hello, K. so glad you picked up on the fiction/nonfiction part. And Copernicus. Sometimes the muse surprises. I’m so happy you read and commented. It always lights me up for days, I tell you. Thanks most kindly. Be well. xo

  4. Helen Dehner

    Boob Tube is the best best description of our TV obsession. Mine is on for morning news (Public TV) and music reigns loud and clear the remainder of the day. Love your haibun.

    1. Selma Martin

      Hello Helen, I haven’t had the pleasure of a visit in weeks. Thrilled you came today, sweet lady. Thanks so much. That boob tube is hazardous, indeed. Be well, dear one. Stay sweet.

  5. Ingrid

    ‘Nicolaus Copernicus smokes a cigarette’ – what a great image! Desensitization seems a sensible thing to fear…especially as we are desensitized to our wanton destruction of the environment!

    1. Selma Martin

      It’s a serious problem, indeed. Desensitized to things that are the roots of our very existence. Wish I had a superpower that could reach people on that level.
      Oh, so thrilled you like that part with the cigarette. Thanks for pointing it out. I’m so flattered coming from you. xo

    1. Selma Martin

      TV watching is not my thing either. And more so in present day. So much has changed and too quickly in the wrong direction. If only we can bring about the right change for our environment soon. Björn, thanks for visiting and commenting. I appreciate you. xo

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