Rain sounds on hard ground.
Cherry blooms and falls at once.
We half-turn to home.
Author's note: On our penultimate night in Japan, we stayed in a small house near Hakone. We arrived after dark, exhausted and hungry, but come the morning, I pulled open the paper shoji doors to find the small office space pictured above. I was called, as I am sure anyone here would have been, to take five minutes to write a little haiku. There I am, above, writing it.
I will follow up this haiku shortly with an invitation, as I made a discovery that excited me somewhat in the process of writing it, but that is for another story...
One which you can now find here.
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Why Black History Matters in America?
The United States of America is celebrating their 250th anniversary in 2026. I'm proud to be an American and as someone who was born here, I wouldn't imagine myself living anywhere else. This is a country where opportunities are possible. Where anyone can be successful in anything they desire to do. Equality, community, and togetherness are the backbones of what America is and should be about. However, we have an administration who wants to erase and disregard those who have made positive, meaningful impacts in our country, specifically Black figures, such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, and Maya Angelou. President Trump and his administration have been constantly complaining and fighting against what they call the "Woke agenda". They use this excuse as a distraction from other issues they refuse to address, such as the high cost of living, climate change, and inflation. That equality is dividing America, when in reality, it's bringing us together. Being woke is not tied to a specific political party. No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, you can still care about other people and their plights. Compassion and empathy for others isn't tied to a political party, either. We were taught as children to treat others the way we want to be treated and not judge others because they're different from us. Caring about others isn't a personal attack on your beliefs. It doesn't make you any less of a person. People who are easily offended over African American figures, past or present, or anything related to it, are grasping at straws. Current and future generations need to know who people like Harriet Tubman and Shirley Chisholm were, especially in the classroom. Black History is part of American History. It should be recognized, not hidden or forgotten. Besides, you can't shield children from everything, just because your feelings are easily hurt.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 3 days ago in The Swamp
Comments (17)
I just found this one. Beautiful.
'We half turn to home" Wow I know that feeling all too well at the end of a trip, Hannah. The sense that we aren't quite ready to be done yet, but also longing for familiar surroundings, our own beds, and the routines we're used to. Beautiful haiku :)
Beautiful work Hannah! Your hair is gorgeous btw!!!!
Lovely Haiku Hannah. I will have a ponder and see if I can come up with anything. Japan is definitely on my list and I’m dying to go. Maybe I could commission a piece on how to go about organising a trip to Japan (for Dummies)?
Both your Haiku and photos are beautiful! Happy you're having an amazing time!
Incredible work!! 💝
OK, I posted a 7-7. https://todaysurvey.life/poets/petals-n76h09k8%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv class="css-w4qknv-Replies">
Lovely Haiku! I will try and give it a go. Thanks for the invite, Hannah, and welcome back!
Arigato Hannah - I was deployed to Southern Japan for a year, I've written about it "Cultural Exchange." We traveled up down on the 'Bullitt' and the 1st thing I learned to say was: "Ikuradesu (how much does it cost). The Cherry Blossom Season is so memorable. At the Hiroshima peace museum students surrounded us on Sunday's to practice their English and Vice-Versa - So glad you enjoyed - j.in.l.a.
I don’t know much about Japan but would love to go! Great photos Hannah:)
Deftly done!
How delightful! What a beautiful place to put pen to paper! Lovely haiku!
A beautiful kaiku that invokes wonderful imagery, including auditory vibes. Well done, Hannah!
Now this, this is a haiku. Especially since You're on Your trip, this feels like a true tribute to the Origin of haikus.
Hope you had a great time. What a wonderful way to return, with a haiku (so apt!) and the picture to illustrate it. Paul and I were just chit-chatting about you today.
Ohh man I hope it’s been a good trip! I’m very jealous
Love this and good to have something new to read by you! Hope the holiday has been great! :) Well done.