hosts: Kala Ramesh & Firdaus Parvez
mentor: Lorraine Haig
A Thursday Feature 7th November
Prakash Thombre Ink sketch
Ink sketch and write-up by Prakash Thombre, Pune.
The Festival of Choices
He stood in the bustling marketplace, quietly lost in thought, hands folded behind his back, holding a simple cloth bag, an old umbrella hanging from his collar. His faded, folded lungi and weary eyes spoke of a life shaped by hard choices. Around him, people bought with ease, seeking festive applause and admiration, piling their carts high without a second thought. But for him, every coin counted, every purchase a choice between the small, unspoken wishes of his family and the reality of his empty pockets. He thought of his wife’s longing for a new saree, and his children’s innocent hopes for sweets or a toy. A pang of guilt mixed with determination filled his heart as he wondered how he could bring them even a small taste of joy this festival season. For him, this wasn’t about appearances or impressing anyone — it was about finding a way, however humble, to honour the love and dreams that kept his family going, no matter how little he had to give.
Challenge:
Enjoy the ink sketch by artist Prakash Thombre and then read what inspired him to draw.
Does this inspire you enough to write a haibun, about the festival days, or about the people you see around you? What could be their dreams, aspirations and hopes?
Give us a haibun, which makes your reader think and go deeper into your words.
Have a whale of a time, while you are at it!
PLEASE NOTE:
1. Only two haibun per poet per prompt.
2. Share your best-polished pieces.
3. Please do not post something in a hurry or something you have just written.
Let it simmer for a while.
4. Post your final edited version on top of your original verse.
5. Don't forget to give feedback on others' poems.
We are delighted to open the comment thread for you to share your unpublished haibun (within 300 words) to be considered for inclusion in haikuKATHA monthly journal.
Important: Since we're swamped with submissions, and our editors are only human, mistakes can happen. Please, please, remember to put your name, followed by your country, below each poem, even after revisions. It helps our editors; they won't have to type it in, saving them from potential typos. Thanks a ton!
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I was really moved by this story. What a terrific ink sketch to accompany it as well.
6/11/24 #1
Invisible Threads
The morning is bright, bathing the street in a clear, insistent light. Mr. Careful sweeps his garden path with surgical precision, each twig and leaf placed deliberately onto his mulch pile. He glances up as the mail van rumbles to a stop. Mr. Post steps out, checks his phone, pockets it, then approaches each door with a nod, holding small boxes like offerings. Behind him, a flash of fluorescent vest—the Newcomer laces up muddy work boots, rubbing his eyes before climbing back into the cab.
dawn mist ---
my breath meets the chill
before coffee brews
There’s a quiet rhythm to these tasks, a pulse that draws the neighbours from their homes. They don’t talk, not…
What a beautiful ink sketch and story behind it! This week's prompt is interesting to attempt!
#1 off prompt
Poof!
What life has taught me, is that people who say they love you, will still drop you at the drop of a hat.
ta-da! everyone I love disappears
susan burch, USA
Comments welcome