Copyright Kanzensakura All Rights Reserved; Used with permissiion
Shinnen (the New Year) arrived with death this year. Our beloved Uncle had passed away from a debilitating illness. All of us suffered as we watched him slowly deteriorate. For years he had been the rock and center of our tight-knit family as we immigrated to America from our homeland of Japan. He welcomed and supported each member as they made the passage.
His wake took place at our family’s Buddhist temple. We were heartened to see so many attend and as the rinpoche lit the incense and recited sutras, the visitors filed by the casket. Afterwards, his body was cremated and his ashes collected in an urn that would be placed at the family gravesite where a shallow space was reserved for this purpose. As loved ones gathered for the simple ceremony a few days later, we noticed the quince tree that shaded the site had bloomed. The day before an unexpected snowfall had filled its branches with ice and coated its early, fragile blossoms. As I lingered under the tree, I pictured Uncle happy and dancing at the Isle of the Blessed.
pale pink quince blossoms
heralds in spring and life lost
beginnings–endings
Join us as at dVerse Poets as Toni presents us with our first Haibun Monday of 2016: http://dversepoets.com/2016/01/11/haibun-monday-5/
Bodhirose's Blog 
Suzanne
/ January 11, 2016This is so moving. What a wonderful insight into another way of saying goodbye to the departed. There is such a depth of feeling in your haibun but stated so simply, so purely. The haiku at the end is wonderful.
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Bodhirose
/ January 11, 2016What a generous comment, Suzanne, thank you so very much.
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Grace
/ January 11, 2016What a beautiful thought amidst the sorrow and sadness of the passing of loved one ~ May it be a wonderful beginning for his soul ~ I specially love this line:
As I lingered under the tree, I pictured Uncle happy and dancing at the Isle of the Blessed.
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Bodhirose
/ January 11, 2016I think there surely will be beautiful thoughts for our loved ones as they pass on. Thanks very much, Grace.
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Glenn Buttkus
/ January 11, 2016Incredible sense of time & place; rings with authenticity, real or imagined. Your haiku is very strong, classic, really. Quite a splendid response to the snow flower image; really enjoyed it.
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Bodhirose
/ January 11, 2016Thank you, Glenn. Like you with your lessons, I do a little research sometimes to make my writing authentic. But this is an imagined time and place, inspired by the photo. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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kanzensakura
/ January 11, 2016Oh how this brought tears to my eyes – tears at such beauty and understanding of another culture and love for the uncle. I wish this had a lovelovelovelove button. As usual, you amaze me with your sensitivity and artistic ability. It made me think of a long departed friend and his passing and cremation and what I would wish for myself when that time comes. This is an incredible and yes, splendid piece of writing. Thank you.
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Bodhirose
/ January 11, 2016Oh, Toni, what a sweet, tender response. I’m grateful that I brought your photo justice with my story. You’re welcome.
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Mary
/ January 11, 2016What a touching story, Gayle. I don’t know if this is true or not, but it definitely sounds like it is. The family love and warmth is so very evident…….and the haiku at the end blew me away!
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Bodhirose
/ January 11, 2016Thanks very much, Mary. This is an imagined scenario…that photo just inspired the story; I’m so glad you liked it.
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lynn__
/ January 11, 2016My sympathy in your family’s loss…and i admire the beautiful haiku too.
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Bodhirose
/ January 11, 2016Lynn, this is fiction…not a true story. But I’m very glad that you liked it, thanks.
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lynn__
/ January 11, 2016You convinced me 🙂
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Bodhirose
/ January 11, 2016I guess I did. 🙂
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katiemiafrederick
/ January 12, 2016SMiLes.. reminds me of A
non-fictional story of
after my Grandmother’s
funeral on a grey and
rainy day…
A purple
flower
rises
beyond a pebble..
My Uncle
says
mom still cares..:)
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Bodhirose
/ January 12, 2016I’m sure she does. 🙂
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katiemiafrederick
/ January 12, 2016🙂
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MarinaSofia
/ January 12, 2016In my end is my beginning… a beautiful blend of traditions and the cycle of life and death.
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Bodhirose
/ January 12, 2016So true, Marina. And thanks so very much.
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Björn Rudberg (brudberg)
/ January 12, 2016There is such sadness in snow… i think white is so close to death, and that last flower is so poignant… a very well executed haibun.. Maybe this is how we all want to depart.
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Bodhirose
/ January 12, 2016Thank you, Bjorn. That flower is very poignant. The quince flower in particular seems to be able to handle the strength of the icy snow…pretty impressive. I think we all would want to depart with the respect and love of our family and friends.
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writersdream9
/ January 12, 2016The signs in nature can really speak to us no matter in what mood or place we find ourselves. Lovely!
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Bodhirose
/ January 12, 2016I so agree…thank you so very much.
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writersdream9
/ January 13, 2016My pleasure.
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petrujviljoen
/ January 12, 2016Really well done. I recently thought a flower, blooming late, a Saint Joseph lily in fact, was meant for a neighbour that passed away unexpectedly. Couldn’t help associating the two events.
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Bodhirose
/ January 12, 2016Thank you, I appreciate that. A wonderful, tender thought that the lily was meant for your neighbor. I would agree that there’s a link there.
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Victoria C. Slotto
/ January 12, 2016How thoughtful that you used this prompt to write this touching recollection of your uncle. The last line of the prose part caught my attention. Nicely done.
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Bodhirose
/ January 12, 2016Oh, Victoria, you also thought this was a true story…several others did too. This was a fiction story out of my imagination. Perhaps I should start labeling my work as true or not. 🙂 I’m really glad you liked it!
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Gay Reiser Cannon
/ January 12, 2016Delicacy and depth captured here. That’s what I get from Basho and the great masters. Your touch is deft – calligraphic. It changes the canvas from prose to poetry and doesn’t disturb the landscape. You are a true poet.
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Bodhirose
/ January 12, 2016Gay, I’m so touched by your lovely comment and compliment for me. I’m truly humbled…thank you.
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Victoria C. Slotto
/ January 13, 2016I’ve written some really dark ones people thought were autobiographical, so now I note if it’s fiction. If I remember….ha!
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Bodhirose
/ January 13, 2016I guess I should start doing that too, Victoria. Others of mine have been misinterpreted as true.
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georgeplace2013
/ January 12, 2016This is just gorgeous. So moving and hopeful.
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Bodhirose
/ January 12, 2016I so appreciate your comment…thank you.
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lillian
/ January 12, 2016Tears in my eyes while and after reading this absolutely exquisite piece. I did read the comments and was surprised to read that for you, this was an imagined time and place, motivated by the photo. Your writing is so clear and real and simplistically raw and emotional. The language rings true for the culture. Having been at a similar funeral, and the use of the simple word Uncle…absolute love and beauty here. Thank you for this post.
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Bodhirose
/ January 12, 2016I’m somewhat familiar with the culture and have visited some Buddhist temples and practiced meditations so I wasn’t coming into my story with no knowledge. But somehow the story idea jumped into my head when I saw the photo. I feel very gratified that my writing has the effect that it does. Thank you very much for sharing your feelings with me, Lillian.
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Jacqueline King
/ January 13, 2016Simply lovely, Gayle, filled with love and respect for a much loved member of the family. I. too was surprised to read that this is fiction ~ your imagination soars, bringing us with you! 🙂
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Sue Dreamwalker
/ January 13, 2016Gayle this is a poignant Post, sorry to hear about your Uncle, And I am sure the blossom held a message for you .. Spring always comes after the cold wait of Winter’s sleep.. Sending you and your family my condolences
Love and Blessings..
Sue
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Bodhirose
/ January 13, 2016Sue, this was a fiction haibun. Our family did not lose an uncle. I’m always happy to have you visit, thanks so much.
Love,
Gayle
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Sue Dreamwalker
/ January 13, 2016Well even the better to know that.. 🙂 you certainly did it justice 🙂
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Bodhirose
/ January 13, 2016Thanks so very much. :~)
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Cheryl-Lynn
/ January 14, 2016What a touching haibun, your prose are so meaningful and heartfelt. I love how you tie hope with loss as endings and new beginnings. Beautiful!
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Bodhirose
/ January 14, 2016Thank you so much, Cheryl-Lynn. The prompt was the photo and the idea for it just jumped into my head. I love when that happens. 🙂
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Cheryl-Lynn
/ January 14, 2016You did good!! I had to use my photo to stir my muse.
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Bodhirose
/ January 14, 2016I understand. It doesn’t always happen that easily for me. 🙂
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Snakypoet (Rosemary Nissen-Wade)
/ January 21, 2016There is deep truth in this imagined scenario, and beauty in your words.
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Bodhirose
/ January 21, 2016Thanks so much, Rosemary, I appreciate your kind words.
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