Hello, beautiful readers! Today, I'm trying out dVerse's Haibun Monday challenge. This week, Lisa introduced us to a burning haibun. This form begins as a normal haibun, but the poet creates the haiku/senryu by slowly "erasing" words in the prose until a hidden message evolves with the remaining words. Lisa describes it better here.
This week's challenge is to write a burning haibun based on an interior journey you've taken. The directions state to show "all of the incarnations, from original prose, to first erasure (or bolding words...) to the second erasure verse using the chosen bolded words, to the final haiku or senryu...)." Here is my attempt at this new (to me) form.
The Tightrope Within
I have lived most my life pretending to be strong, silently struggling as the negative voice within me repeatedly assaulted me. For as far back as I can remember, she has taken residence in the depths of my subconscious, an observant lingerer, nitpicking at nuances and miniscule moments, waiting for the right time to wreak havoc on my life. My self-esteem withered, causing me to withdraw and suffer in silence. I hid behind labels like shy and wallflower, hesitant to draw any attention my way for fear of providing her more power over me. Giving her the reins led to depression. Trying to control her led to anxiety. Yet, I refused to let her win. Meditation and mindfulness brought awareness and understanding, cloaking me with a weighted blanket of grounding and acceptance. I have learned to practice self-love, though it isn't easy. It's a delicate dance, the ebb and flow of awareness and acknowledgement, shedding judgment and fear. Now, I accept that I am perfectly imperfect, an exquisite masterpiece ever-evolving, and that creates calm within me.
strong negative voice
havoc on my self-esteem
self-love creates calm
My hat is off to you, Yvette. You did a wonderful job with this challenge!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jan! I'm enjoying trying new forms of poetry. I appreciate you sharing my poem. :-)
DeleteWe need to love ourselves to silent the negative voices... love your affirmation.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! It took me a long time to learn that. Thanks for stopping by. :-)
DeleteYvette, what a courageous write! I love how you write about self-love and affirmative action. The title is perfect too.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome.
DeleteWelcome to dVerse, Yvette. So good to see you here.
ReplyDeleteI love your unwavering look at where you were and through the poem showed how the inner voice affected you and how you were able to quiet it through acceptance of yourself as a whole being and with love for who you are.
Thank you, Lisa! I appreciate your prompt. I enjoyed exploring this form. :-)
DeleteGreat job, Yvette! I love it.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda! It's so nice to hear from you. :-)
DeleteI have been where you have been ... time and therapy my salvation. Your burning haibun is exceptional. Truly.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Helen! I appreciate you sharing and your kind words. :-)
DeleteWelcome to Haibun Monday, Yvette, and what a haibun to start with! I like the title of your burning haibun, and I am familiar with that negative inner voice; the phrase ‘observant lingerer, nitpicking’ stood out for me. Well done for refusing to let her win.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the warm welcome, Kim, and for your kind words. I appreciate you stopping by and sharing your thoughts. :-)
DeleteWhat a fascinating process, Yvette. It's a great exercise in getting to the gist of a piece of prose. Poetry shows it's power. Thanks for sharing your inner struggle and triumph. <3
ReplyDeleteThank you, Diana! I agree that the process is interesting. It really shows how you can whittle away words and be left with the pure essence of a piece. Thanks for sharing! :-)
DeleteI loved the way you ended the haibun. The note of acceptance is key. Well written - OP
ReplyDeleteThank you, OP! I appreciate you visiting! :-)
Delete(Jules) I believe you have describe a good portion of the population! Including me! We do not have to be perfect to be the best of who we are. And it takes too many lessons to see that we don't have to live up to or be what anyone else seems to decide for us.
ReplyDeleteSo true, Jules! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. :-)
DeleteYou are so lovely, Yvi. I loved this haibun. 💛
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you, Colleen! I appreciate your kind words. :-)
DeleteA strong positive message!
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting! :-)
DeleteThis is a great idea, thanks for sharing. Your message is very powerful and inspiring. I want to do this with the new year here. Sending best wishes your way!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I appreciate you stopping by. :-)
DeleteI have never heard of this form Yvette but wow I love yours. It is something I will put on my list to try at sometime. 💞Suzanne
ReplyDeleteThank you, Suzanne! It's new to me as well. I look forward to seeing what you create. :-)
DeleteI love this haibun, Yvette. The negative voice is strong within us, and you've described so much of what I feel and have felt. I have let it overpower me and I too, after all these many years, have learned what you express so well, "to accept that I am perfectly imperfect." There is great comfort in that, and in knowing that everyone else is too.
ReplyDeleteSo true, Dora! I appreciate you sharing your thoughts. :-)
DeleteBeautifully put about self love calming that negative voice, Yvette! Love this! Xo
ReplyDeleteThank you, Denise! I'm so happy you do! :-)
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