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The Quiet Wood: Haibun

The Quiet Wood

Haibun



Listen.





I couldn’t hear the birds. None sang. Ancient trees stand aloof, like sentinels in a breathless wood. 
No leaves stir. 

gentle lapping stream
slipping through quiet shadows
wandering at will

I sigh and turn away. 



A twig cracks like a gunshot under my feet.



—Lesley Scoble, April 2026

Written for d’Verse Poets Haibun Monday: Silence.

My thanks to Frank J. Tassone for inspiring me “to write a haibun that alludes to silence.”

Haibun Monday 4-27-26: Silence

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30 responses to “The Quiet Wood: Haibun”

  1. Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬ Avatar
    Nancy’s Notes 🖊️♬

    Love this, Lesley. So descriptive, I actually heard the twig snap! Nicely done 👏🏼

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. lesleyscoble Avatar
      lesleyscoble

      Aw, Thank you so much, Nancy. I’m nervous about writing haiku and haibun. I’m in awe of everyone who can write it. 🙏💗 I truly appreciate your kind comment.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  2. robertawrites235681907 Avatar
    robertawrites235681907

    A wonderful depiction of silence. So precious.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. lesleyscoble Avatar
      lesleyscoble

      Thank you, Robbie 🙏

      Like

      Reply
  3. kim881 Avatar
    kim881

    I love the way you used space and words to capture silence, Lesley, those ancient trees standing aloof, ‘like sentinels in a breathless wood’, and the twigs cracking like gunshot enhances it.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. lesleyscoble Avatar
      lesleyscoble

      Thank you tons, Kim. 🤗 I appreciate your kind comment. 🙏

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. kim881 Avatar
        kim881

        My pleasure, Lesley.

        Like

  4. Melissa Lemay Avatar
    Melissa Lemay

    I love the tension in your Haibun. Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. lesleyscoble Avatar
      lesleyscoble

      Thanks so much, my kind friend 🤗

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  5. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) Avatar
    Björn Rudberg (brudberg)

    That twig is like a gunshot in such silence… wonderful

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. lesleyscoble Avatar
      lesleyscoble

      Enormous thanks, Björn. 🙏

      Like

      Reply
  6. Colleen Chesebro Avatar
    Colleen Chesebro

    The sounds of silence awakened by the twig—a gunshot in the silence!! Beautiful writing, Lesley.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. lesleyscoble Avatar
      lesleyscoble

      Enormous thanks, Colleen. I appreciate your compliment so much. 🙏

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Colleen Chesebro Avatar
        Colleen Chesebro

        You’re so lovely, Lesley. You’re so welcome. 💙

        Liked by 1 person

      2. lesleyscoble Avatar
        lesleyscoble

        Aw,☺️ thank you 🤗

        Liked by 1 person

  7. Dora Avatar
    Dora

    Great haibun, Lesley. Love how you describe the fractured silence in a space tense with absence and watchfulness.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. lesleyscoble Avatar
      lesleyscoble

      Thank you so much, Dora. I really appreciate your comment. 🤗💗

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Dora Avatar
        Dora

        My pleasure! 💖

        Liked by 1 person

  8. memadtwo Avatar
    memadtwo

    What we hear is often based on what we don’t. (K)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. lesleyscoble Avatar
      lesleyscoble

      So true, Kerfe. 🤗 I appreciate your comment. 💗

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  9. Sadje/ Sadie Avatar
    Sadje/ Sadie

    A very touching Haibun Lesley.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. lesleyscoble Avatar
      lesleyscoble

      Thank you, my kind friend. 🤗

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Sadje/ Sadie Avatar
        Sadje/ Sadie

        You’re very welcome

        Liked by 1 person

  10. murisopsis Avatar
    murisopsis

    Well done!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. lesleyscoble Avatar
      lesleyscoble

      Thanks so much, Muri! 🤗

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  11. Lincol Martín Avatar
    Lincol Martín

    The poem describes a very quiet forest, without birds or wind. Only the sound of the stream can be heard, and at the end, a branch snaps like a gunshot. It conveys solitude and a nature that seems watchful.

    Best regards.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. lesleyscoble Avatar
      lesleyscoble

      Thank you for your comment, Lincol. Much appreciated, amiga mia. 🤗

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Lincol Martín Avatar
        Lincol Martín

        🤗🫂

        Liked by 1 person

  12. lisaapaul Avatar
    lisaapaul

    Excellent 💕

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. lesleyscoble Avatar
      lesleyscoble

      Thank you, Lisa 😊💖

      Like

      Reply

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