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Haibun for #TANKATUESDAY #POETRY CHALLENGE NO. 266, 3/22/22, #THEMEPROMPT

At Word Craft: Prose & Poetry – The Art of Crafting Syllabic Poetry,
this month’s theme is: FIRE & WATER

My syllabic form of choice is Haibun and I’m using
steaming hot soup and fever,
and flurries and hydration
to represent the theme. I hope it’s ok.

Blooming sakura trees temporarily stunted by fflurries
Tokyo, Tue. 3-22-22 Blooms temporarily stunted by snow flurries

It’s a long-held belief that spring is indisputably here when the cherry trees in Tokyo start blooming. Rain is a given in spring, and usually, it’s warm enough for a stroll under the lovely trees. But we got flurries & chill that stopped us in our track.

Snow flurries are caused by isolated patches of clouds where droplets have frozen.

While stratiform, flat clouds produce steady snowfall, cumulus clouds are associated with storms, showers, and flurries.

Snow flurries are difficult to predict, as generally, they don’t show up on weather radar. They’re also usually too short-lived to be noted.

My son witnessed the event and quickly took a snapshot for me.

a flurry of snow
cherry blossoms make no fuss
Samgyetang warms us
Snow flurries in March
take Tokyoites by surprise
run to snap a shot

Note: Samgyetang is Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup.
Yummy. It ignites the furnace, perfect for the chill of March.

***

More lovely blooms to herald the season.
On March 23, the day after the flurries, more blooms entertain us under chilly conditions.

My husband and I got jabbed with our third Pfizer shot on Wednesday.

He scheduled the morning off work and an entire day off on Friday — to go fishing.

On the other hand, fearing I’ll be out convalescing, I conceded and hurriedly scheduled a few blog posts. And wouldn’t you know it: we each manifested what we thought would happen.

Chills, headache, fever, muscle pain for me. It’s Thursday night and I’m still dying, people. And he— not a peep’s worth of complaining or discomfort. Go figure!

the fire inside
deprive the furnace
hydration is key

World News:
It’s been a whole month since the barbaric war in Ukraine started. Please, make it stop.

North Korea launched another ballistic ICBM missile, it’s 11th this year. The launch today landed in The Sea of Japan, inside its Exclusive Economic Zone. Please, make it stop.

Thanks for reading, dear friends. I wish you miracles and I continue to declare World Peace. (because believing in its impossibility makes it so. Amen)

Selma Martin
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This Post Has 47 Comments

  1. Elizabeth

    Hi Selma, your Haibun is lovely and congrats to your son, the photo is stunning! You are in Tokyo, I didn’t know it snows in March in there, I thought it was a little warmer than in Canada. No blossoms here yet!

    1. Selma Martin

      Elizabeth, thanks so much. Tokyo boasts perfect weather in March. The drizzles are blessings. Flurries are not normal here.
      I hope you get the lovely signs of spring soon. I’m sending you sunshine and blessings. xoxo

  2. Ruth Klein

    Ack! Be well sooooon!! And all wars and sounds of war must cease!! 🕯

    1. Selma Martin

      Thanks, dear Ruth. I am back to normal now. Thanks for caring. I bless you.

    1. Selma Martin

      That’s the biggest of all. That’s why I’m so grateful the moment I wake.
      Be well, my sweet. xoxo

  3. Ingrid

    A beautiful haibun, Selma: thank you for this snapshot of your world! Get well soon: I add my prayers for peace to yours 🙏

    1. Selma Martin

      You’re sweet. I feel I had a normal day today, thank you. And I’m glad you read, my friend. XoXo

  4. harmonykentonline

    Hubby and I were down for the count for 24 hrs after our shots. Of course, he recovered faster than I did! 😂 Hope you feel better soon.
    Wonderful poetry and pics and great response to the prompt, Selma.

    I’m with you on the world and it’s war footing. I’m desperate for it to stop.

    Have a wonderful weekend. Hugs 💕🙂🇺🇦

    1. Selma Martin

      24 hours— I’m sure it was hard.
      Today i feel I had a normal day. (And already it’s time for bed already 😂)
      Thanks for reading and for your voice: we all want despots to get in the light. Please.

      Be well, Harmony. Hugging you back.

        1. Selma Martin

          Harmony, dear friend, I need to tell you: I’ve tried commenting on your posts, but for a few many weeks now, I get an error message. First noticed it on my phone. And figured the darn phone was creating yet another problem for me. I don’t know why it does it. Anyway, next, I tried on PC and same thing. Error messages. Sorry about that. Just wanted to know I am still reading and still supporting you. Be well, dear one. I bless you.

          1. harmonykentonline

            Thanks so much, Selma. I don’t know why WordPress is locking some people out. There are a few blogs I can’t comment on either. So frustrating! There seems nothing I can change in my settings, as it’s all set as it should be. I’m so sorry you’re having these issues, and I appreciate your support, my friend. Hugs and best wishes 🤗💕🙂

  5. Daphny Aqua

    This is truly beautiful Selma, I wish you miracles as well. xoxo

    1. Selma Martin

      Thanks, Daphny. I appreciate you tons. Last one I read was about that house, wow. But I kinda felt like dejavu. Perhaps I have read similar one from you before? You have that winning touch in this piece. Thanks for sharing it (again)with me. Keep going. xoxo

      1. Daphny Aqua

        You’re welcome Selma and thanks so much, I wrote one “The cabin in the woods” that was a poem though. I really appreciate you saying so, means a lot to me. Sending you much love. xoxo

  6. ben Alexander

    I wish you all the very best too, Selma, and I really enjoyed your sweet haibun.

    Sincerely,
    David

    1. Selma Martin

      forgive the late response. Thanks for the well wishes. All the best to you too. Stay sweeet. xo

  7. paeansunplugged

    Lovely haibun, Selma. I hope you are fine now. Joining you in praying for peace. 🙏🏼

    1. Selma Martin

      Thanks, sweet Punam. I am well now. Thanks. We need peace so desperately. May we get it soon. Thanks for the comment and forgive the late response. xoxo

      1. paeansunplugged

        You are so welcome, Selma. I too am often late in responding, so no worries! 😊

  8. WildChild47

    So sorry you’re under the booster weather – I hope it passes quickly!

    Lovely thoughts here in your post – and yes, surprise weather when the blossoms are already smiling is stunning, and chilling. Always the wonder whether/how it might affect the show, but more importantly, what comes later. Still, there is something beautiful too, to see the sharp, cracking contrast of spring ruffles and sharp edged flurries. But here’s wishing you warmer and friendly weather.

    As for the other “monkeys” (not trying to be derogatory, perhaps I should use mice?) at play = another missile launch?! I read multiple accounts of it – I’d like to ask him and Putin up front and personal – “what bragging rights does this honestly give you, as you stand there thumping your chests?!” Gosh – what I mean is, yeah, sure, why one part of the world is under siege, the other lunatics decide to ramp up their agendas, first rather quietly, because hey, who’s noticing, then demanding attention, boldly. So they venture. Ugh.

    Please, stop the merry-go-round, I want off. Sickening.

    Let’s pray for peace – world peace. ✌🌏✌🌈

    1. Selma Martin

      Monkeys, Mice, Copy-cats, spoiled brats, bigots: all good descriptors, I think. The one in N. Korea has ways that mimic the heavy-handed ones. And with everyone now tuned in to what’s happening in Ukraine, he’s probably feeling emboldened (liked you pointed out), or perhaps forgotten.
      Make all the madness stop, pretty please. Sickening indeed.
      Thanks for commenting. I feel your heart, always. And your comments always make me feel less alone. I send you blessings and wish you miracles, xoxo

      1. WildChild47

        Feel better my friend …. I hope the booster effects are lessening … but still take it easy and as always, stay safe and blessings …. and prayers for peace. 💕🌈✌

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    2. Selma Martin

      Oh, and thanks for the sweet comment about my lethargic reaction to the booster. Happy to announce I’ve bounced back. Thanks so much. xoxo

  9. Sunra Rainz

    Oh I feel you, Selma, I wish it would stop too. I declare world peace with you. It must be a lovely spring where you are. Hot soup and snow flurries are the perfect combination 🙂

    1. Selma Martin

      Sunra, my sweet. We need to declare peace so it reaches those places where peace needs to arrive and stay. Thanks for joining me in doing that. Thanks for reading and appreciating my soup and flurries combi. You rock. Thanks. xoxo

      1. Sunra Rainz

        You are most welcome, Selma. I am in sympathy with you, and I love your soup and flurries. <3

  10. Excellent poetry and I hope you are feeling better, Selma. That third shot knocked me for a loop too! Your Korean soup sounds delightful. I love Kimchee! Stay warm and feel better. <3

    1. Selma Martin

      I felt lethargic for much too long after that, but now I’m fine. Thanks for the lovely comment. Hope April has brought spring to your area. I mean, real spring. Enjoy. I wish you miracles. Stay sweet.
      BTW, it was you who introduced me to NaPo last year. That is why I joined last year. This year, I felt empowered (one full year of practice under my belt) and so I’m participating again. Yay! So, I want to say THANK YOU. You’re the best. Sending you sunshine. xoxo

      1. Thanks so much, Selma. I’ve got so much going on this year that I’ll try to post my poetry as often as I can. I’m glad you’re on the mend. We’re still stuck in the cold here in Michigan. It’s like spring just won’t take hold. I’m looking for those miracles. <3

        1. Selma Martin

          They’re on their way, I know. Look in the mirror— you’ll see one 😉

  11. yvettemcalleiro

    Your poetry is always beautiful, Selma! When I lived up north, I experienced flurries and always enjoyed them because they were different and unexpected. Glad to hear you are feeling better! 🙂

    1. Selma Martin

      Yes, the surprise factor makes it special. I’m feeling better, yes, thanks for checking in on me. xoxo

  12. Gwen M. Plano

    I’m hoping you are feeling better now, Selma. You are a blessing, so please hold on to health. Like you I worry about our precious planet. And once upon a time, I lived in Japan (for 5 years). I remember the cherry blossoms and rare flurries. Your poems are beautiful. 💗

    1. Selma Martin

      Gwen, sweetie, yes. I am. And I make every effort to be in good health always. My work is not done yet, I’m sure you and I feel the same — for the planet.
      Once upon a time, you did? Wow. I hope you took back some good memories of this place that I call my home for 30+ years now. I’m fully adopted (as in adoption) to this place. The people I love most in the world live here. Five years must have given you lots. The younger of my two sons lives in Tokyo; he shot that photo and sent. We live one station after Kamakura (where the Great Budha lives) I figure you’d know. Thanks most sweetly for your kindness. I love kind people and appreciate your visits and comments. Thanks so very much. Be well. I wish you miracles. xoxo

  13. Jules

    We have some ornimental cherry trees in our neighborhood – not yet blossomed. I’m afraid the high winds and snow squall predicted for today might leave them barren if they were out. Yesterday though we saw a dwarf weeping cherry outside an eatary that we had lunch at. I didn’t have my camera though. I do have several close ups of previous years of cherry blossoms 🙂

    Yes! Make all warring stop!! 🙁

    Chicken soup of any kind is good for the soul! I hope you are feeling better. We’ve had our two shots and boosters and didn’t have any problems. Think positive and healthy!! 🙂

    1. Selma Martin

      Squalls, wow. Well, that tomboy that is April will pull out her lasso and do what she does well. Poor March she could only get us this far. But look at what she had to put up with. Anyway. soon.
      War! What is it good for, absolutely nothing!
      Good that you didn’t feel any differently after your third one. So glad. People have different reactions, that’s for sure. You too, stay positive and healthy. I wish you miracles, Jules. xoxo

      1. Jules

        Now, here there is a 4th booster… for those over 65 or over 50 with medical need.

        Might end up being like the yearly flu shots.

        Be well and keep positive thoughts out in the atmosphere 🙂

        1. Selma Martin

          Yes to positive thoughts. I do this always. We need to have the positive thoughts out there to balance the imbalance. We do it for everyone. Thanks for your positive words, always, Jules. I bless you.

          1. Jules

            Life has ups and downs. The rollercoaster is real – I do believe though it is better to be on the positive outlook side. The dark cold shadows can be a very lonely place.

            I remember reading that several people have been uplifted just by a stranger smiling at them and saying a few positive words. 😀

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