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Haibun Monday 26/2/24: Snow Moon

For Frank J. Tassone at d’Verse Poets, I wrote my haibun The Whispering Snow Moon.

It was a long walk. My legs complained, begging me to halt, or at least sit down. I couldn’t. I had to go on. 

Each step echoed the crisp crunch on the frozen ground. My hands clenched hard inside my pockets. How could I leave it so late? What if I didn’t get there in time? I tried to walk faster.

I trudged on, listening to the crunch, crunch of my tired footsteps. In the dark, I could barely see two steps in front of me. The cloud cover was thick. I pulled my hood further over my head. The chill of the night air was biting. I watched the ground as I lurched over it. The last thing I needed to do was trip.

What was that sound? I didn’t like it. It scared me. I stopped. There it was again. I held my breath and stood motionless. Nothing. I could hear nothing… except for a whisper. 

I look up and see the bright snow moon peeping through a chink in the blackness of the night.

silver leaves whisper
chilly snowflake soughing breaths
in the boreal wind

I bathe in the brief fullness of the moonlight, and feel the cold wind breathe upon my upturned face. Then I hear a scuffle in the shadows of the undergrowth.

I move on with haste.

At last, I arrive. The door opens and the noise, light, warmth, and exuberance of the pub is unleashed and charges out into the silence of the frozen night.

“Ah, there you are! We thought you would never get here. Where on earth have you been?” said mine host.

~

Lesley Scoble, February 2024

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The Snow Moon

The Snow Moon is the Full Moon in February, named after abundant snowfall in the Northern Hemisphere.
Some North American tribes named it the Hungry Moon due to the scarce food sources and hard hunting conditions during mid-winter, while others named it Bear Moon, referring to bear cubs being born this time of year. Celtic and Old English names for the February Full Moon are Storm Moon and Ice Moon.

Resources: Space.com and Time & Date

My thanks to Frank Tassone at d’Verse Poets for this wonderful Snow Moon Haibun prompt.

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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.