October 27, 2020 · 2:31 am
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The Keening – Haibun by Paul Vincent Cannon

Frank at dVerse is hosting Haibun Monday and the theme is Happy Halloween. dVerse Poets – Haibun – Happy Halloween

Photo: favim.com

“I can see lights in the distance trembling in the dark cloak of night. Candles and lanterns are dancing, dancing a waltz on All Souls Night.” Lorena Mckennitt

The Keening

Moving, yet completely still within herself as night pressed in gently around her, she stopped in a felt moment and stood in what seemed a right place of heart. Her bare feet connecting the hallowed ground, she raised her arms to the stars and danced in saintly solace, this way and that. She keened for love departed, for all her loves departed. She keened for the unknown. As the stars passed her voice softened to a love song, for all the faces now present as she had re-membered them. Her eyes opened with morning warmth and a garland of dew.

Hidden beyond stars
love remembered in thinness
as lotus shines.


 ©Paul Vincent Cannon


Note: the ancient Celts always believed that the spirit world interacted in special moments in "thin" places, the place between the secular and the spirit world was thin, touchable, knowable. Most often these thin places were in groves. Celtic Christians carried this into their own theological world view.

69 Comments

Filed under awareness, Haibun, Haiku, life, love, Mythology, poem, quote, relationship, Spirituality

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69 responses to “The Keening – Haibun by Paul Vincent Cannon”

  1. sarahsouthwest
    October 27, 2020 at 7:33 am

    “keening” is such a beautiful word – so visceral. This is a lovely piece, a reminder of our need to remember the dead – and to celebrate the living. The dead are for life, not just for Halloween…

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply
  2. Chris Hall
    October 27, 2020 at 8:46 am

    The ‘thin places’ – a lovely idea, so well-captured by your words.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  3. kim881
    October 27, 2020 at 9:09 am

    I’m with Sarah; I like the word ‘keening’, it’s so expressive. I also like the expression ‘thin places’. You captured this woman’s tragedy and grief so well in this piece, Paul, and connected it with the season.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  4. Liz Gauffreau
    October 27, 2020 at 11:54 am

    Thank you for including the additional information about thin places. Your haibun brings this concept to live beautifully.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  5. freyathewriter
    October 27, 2020 at 12:33 pm

    The title ‘The Keening’ drew me in, and your haibun didn’t disappoint. ‘Thin places’ is so evocative and I feel this myself, being of a mixture of Celtic and Norse heritage.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • pvcann
      October 27, 2020 at 1:40 pm

      Ah, you know such feeling and thinking, I really love the idea of thin places and I find nature is the place for me. I too have Celtic ancestry so perhaps it’s in the blood. Thank you so much for sharing this Freya.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  6. Ingrid
    October 27, 2020 at 12:40 pm

    I think we’re most haunted by the memories of loved ones no longer with us. You’ve captured that spirit well.

    Like

    Reply
  7. Beverly Crawford
    October 27, 2020 at 3:07 pm

    Taking us back to the Celtic origins. Well done!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  8. Jane Dougherty
    October 27, 2020 at 3:22 pm

    To my mind, this is what lies behind Halloween, the original behind the pastiche. It should be a celebration of how much we miss the dead, not a fancy dress carnival of zombies and horror characters. I love the gentle simplicity of this, and of course the keening.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  9. rothpoetry
    October 27, 2020 at 4:02 pm

    Thin spaces… very interesting concept! Well done Paul!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  10. Megha's World
    October 27, 2020 at 8:23 pm

    Learned a new word–keening and the way you have expressed the need to keen and how nature gently presses around us is simply profound.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  11. calmkate
    October 27, 2020 at 8:40 pm

    I ken you’ve glimpsed those ethereal figures dancing in the twilight … lovely composition Paul!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  12. Björn Rudberg (brudberg)
    October 27, 2020 at 8:57 pm

    I love the image and the sense of that word keening. The image of her walking barefoot at a time like this makes me think of why she does it

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  13. V.J. Knutson
    October 28, 2020 at 12:51 am

    Beautiful, Paul. Uplifting.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  15. lync56
    October 28, 2020 at 1:22 pm

    So beautiful – it would be lovely to be able to do this to re-member – I really resonate with the concept of thin places

    >

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  16. Cheryl, Gulf Coast Poet
    October 29, 2020 at 2:42 am

    Paul, lovely halibun. The image of the dancing, keening woman summoning ghosts of her past lovers is mysterious and romantic. ❤ Take care!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  17. msjadeli
    October 30, 2020 at 3:12 am

    The thin places in groves as connectors between the worlds lends support to the idea that trees are part of our life-death cycle. Thank you for invoke those spirits and the commune in your poem.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  18. photos,poetry and haiku by Derek Ross
    January 14, 2021 at 2:53 pm

    Greetings from Scotland. Enjoyed this piece and will be back for more. My wee country is full of these places, you can still feel “a connection” when you visit.

    Like

    Reply

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