At dVerse Lillian is hosting Haibun with a focus on walking down memory lane.
dVerse Poets – Haibun – Walk With Me Down Memory Lane
“Everybody should keep some grip on childhood, even as a grownup.” Tim Curry
One Way Through
As spring made way for summer everything seemed full and lush, even the northern July evenings were slightly longer than the ending of Hey Jude which was idyllic when sleep seemed like theft of life. But there were dark tones in this summer of light. Why was mum so frightened, why were dad's fists so loud? It was a house of mixed feelings like the edge of a wave teetering near rocks. Sometimes there was a deep silence, followed by absence. Baby-sitters appeared at intervals, young couples whose tongues were intertwined in closed eyes of desire, though not so much before I was given a cup of cocoa and soon sent to bed. Our house wasn't ancient, but it was easy to hear anyone coming up the stairs, so I knew I could please myself in a wonderland. So I would throw back the curtains and marvel at the light, open the window and dangle my legs over the ledge. I was lost in the wonder of peace and stillness, dreaming of tigers, Sherwood Forest, and rescuing Alice from queens unknown. This was my refuge.
I sailed the angry sea past dark resolution rocks you are my refuge.
©Paul Vincent Cannon
parallax 
The full paragraph is inaccessible,Paul. Your haiku resonates.
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Thank you so much VJ, It looks fine on my browser – I do know that sometimes with block editor it requires swiping the text as it appears to be incomplete, but if that is not the issue I’m uncertain as to what to do at this point. Thank you for letting me know.
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I’m able to access it now – maybe it was my end of things. Glad I did. Resonates even more.
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Thank you so much VJ. it may have been, but looking at the timing, it also coincided with a re-edit and I wonder if it froze for a time, that very moment you logged in.
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Glad it’s working now. Worthy read
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Thank you very much for that VJ.
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Welcome Paul.
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This is a write that if full of feeling….the surreal piece of art you’ve selected to it fits your memories her so very well….that idea of the confusion within the house where there is anger mixed with love. The way for a child to maneuver through the angry behaviors of adults is often difficult to find.
“like the edge of a wave teetering near rocks.” This sentence is powerful in expressing your feelings. This reminds me of the child living with an alcoholic who does not know what to expect….one evening can be full of love, the next full of blustering and spittle spewed and anger.
I’m so glad you had your window….the image of that window with curtain pulled and the child seeking its refuge is powerful.
Thank you so very much for sharing. I sometimes think writing can be salve for the soul and psyche….I hope it is/was for you.
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Lillian I very much appreciate your very thoughtful response, and yes, I did find it helpful to write it, I am utterly convinced that writing is a salve if combined with inner work. I am and have been, fortunate to have good guides too. Thank you so much.
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Nana na naaa, Hey Jude ended up being three times the length of any of the Beatles’ earlier hits having a fade-out that lasts for more than four minutes.
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Yes, it immediately became a legend, and set a precedent too.
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This certainly sounds like a solution for survival.😌
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
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It really worked 🙂 thank you Cheryl.
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Good
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A most brilliant writing, Paul and what an amazing conversational photo as a compliment!
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Thank you very much indeed, much appreciated. I write first the source the epigraph and image, which is a difficult process of fitting, but I really did get lucky with this one, this artist specialises in this form, so amazing, and it summed up my experience so well.
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The artist has an amazing vision and I viewed the image from different angles and for each was a separate setting. ❤️🍮🍮
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Yes, what a mind for detail and a talent for the magical.
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I have been known to say “children grow up in spite of us” in a light-hearted manner, but your memories make it a somber statement. Glad you had a place of refuge; pity the children who have none.
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Yes, I have spent some of my life working with those who have no refuge, heartbreaking. I think in retrospect I created my own innocence. Thank you very much Beverly.
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I do love the contrast between the dark confusing downstairs and your refuge upstairs filled with all the wonders that a child needs,
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It really did work for me, thank you for your thoughts Bjorn, much appreciated.
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Every child needs a refuge of some sort, a safe place. In spite of what was happening around you, I am glad you found yours.
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It really worked so well for me, thank you so much Helen. Yes, every child needs a refuge.
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What a wonderful, whimsical, magical tale Paul. Loved the haiku!
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I love the magical Rob, yes indeed, and thank you for loving the haiku.
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It’s hard to live on the precipice like that, especially for a child. I love the phrase: ‘when sleep seemed like theft of life.’ I remember those days. Nowadays it’s an escape from it!
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Ah, yes, the peace of sleep, how we change. It was hard, and as I look back, it was my inner world that helped me survive. Thank you so much Ingrid.
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Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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🙂
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Always a pleasure to read and share your posts with followers, Paul!! Have a great day!
😊👍✨✨🎉
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I have and i will, I hope yours will be too Chuck.
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The refuge of the imagination. What would we do without that? I could lose myself in the artwork you selected, Paul. A splendid piece all round.
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We would perish is my thought, I think my inner world saved me from despair. Thank you so much Chris.
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Me too, many times.
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I thought as much, i wonder if we did a poll of writers and artists that would be a common experience?
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open the window and dangle my legs… sweet childhood memories.
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They are good memories for sure, one’s I treasure now.
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This is a very powerful piece, painfully so.
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Yes, I admit – painful indeed. Thank you Liz.
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You’re welcome, Paul.
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an extract from your book no doubt … sounds like that home environment lead to your deep inner reflection and strengthened your faith. Often the darkness forces us to find the light!
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Yes, i do so agree, it does do that, and I often wonder that I’d not have found it so quickly or easily had it not been so, thank you so much Kate.
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yes I think the more dysfunctional the family the more extreme the kids solutions … black or white, but seldom grey!
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Yes, agreed, all the acting out – exhausting to work with!
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A great one, i only can agree to lillian. Michael
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You are in good company and I am glad for the response 🙂
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:-)) Thank you, Paul! I know.
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🙂
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:-))
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Wow definitely deserving of publishing this one
>
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Very kind 🙂
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