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Breathless: a haibun

Frank Tassone, the poet host for the d’Verse Poets Haibun Monday, invites us to write a haibun alluding to: breath, breathing, or to breathe.

I took the title photo below, a few years ago of a piece of graffiti, in Folkestone, Kent, thinking that it might make a good title for something, sometime.

I titled my haibun Breathless. I hope you enjoy it.

Breathless | Street art graffiti, Folkestone | Photo©️Lesley Scoble

His breath was steady. His powerful, lithe limbs moved in practised unison. The runner’s feet pounded the streets. He was running. Running. Running. Sweat groaned down his face and down his back. The cold air clawed at his nostrils. He watched each cloud of his breath. The vapour leaving his mouth in puffs like steam from a steam train’s funnel. It chuffed a rhythmic puff, puff, puff. 

At the park, his pace softened with his steps becoming almost balletic and he ran with a silent grace. His stride lengthening over the grasses and moist mulch. A gentle crunch of fallen leaves murmured under his feet. The turmoil of thoughts in his mind was quieted. At last.

The hill was steep. He dug deep and ran fast up the slope. He climbed and climbed. At the top, he paused, breathless.

The view from the hill
o’er the vale to London
Shone on soundless air

Lesley Scoble, January 2024
The view from the hill o’er the vale to London | Digital watercolour painting ©️Lesley Scoble

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
My thanks to Frank Tassone, for the inspiring prompt.
My thanks also to the community of remarkable poets at d’Verse Poets.

Lesley lives in the City of London Square Mile. An artist, actor and sculptor (her first ceramic sculpture won the V&A inspired by… Award). Scenic artist & book illustrator, playwright (her musical play, Rapscallion performed in inner city schools and theatre school); TV dancer; Animator and illustrator for TV production. Set up Pinecone Studios Ltd and IIMSI Ltd drama and filmmaking workshops in London – producing award-winning films made by children.

lesleyscoble

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24 responses to “Breathless: a haibun”

    • Oooh, thank you! I have many alternatives for the haiku—I kept wondering whether to change it. I shall now leave it as it is. 😁
      Your haibun inspired me to have a go., so thank you dear Trip. 🙏😊💕

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