Haibun

Día de los Muertos ~ A Haibun

This week the three prompts from aooga at OLWG #389 are
1) thirsty souls, 2) police dog, and 3) Armando’s Market,
to be used as we like …. as is, as an inspiration or not at all.

Also, Gerry C & Sue W ask us to incorporate the word “eerie”
in their Weekly Prompts Wednesday Challenge. And finally,
I have used one of Kevin’s brilliant images from No Theme Thursday
as the inspiration for my post today. Here is my haibun.

© Kevin @ No Theme Thursday

It is quiet now on this Day of the Dead. The eerie shrieks and howls of Halloween have risen up to the heavens and are stilled for another year. The uneasiness and dread that befell us is over and all is calm. Today we celebrate the memory of our deceased loved ones .… those who now rest peacefully, their thirsty souls quenched. Life and time are fleeting as sands in an hourglass. Our days are finite, glowing brightly as a star one moment and snuffed out like a candle the next. We must remember and honor the dead in prayer, hold fast the joys of life and make peace with death, for there is no recourse. Raise a glass or two with me tonight in memory of those gone before us. Whisper their names in silent revery and see their faces before you …. full of life, love and happiness. And if you should hear a dog barking at the moon, do not be afraid; it is merely a final salute, a sentry playing Taps as a sign that all is well on this Día de los Muertos.

their mortal coil is finished
weep not when they pass
for restful peace will be theirs

NAR©2024
#OLWG

This is “La Llorona” by Tania Sabaut y Ensamble Voces del Cenzontle

© Etsy

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.



43 thoughts on “Día de los Muertos ~ A Haibun”

      1. Celebrating The Day of the Dead is not done here in the UK. However, one of my daughters chose the weekend to take her small children to visit my husband‘s grave. They took flowers and the children made Day of the Dead cards.
        They never knew my husband, he died before they were born, so it’s lovely that they visit and honour him.

        Liked by 1 person

  1. Ah… So you have indulged again… I was at todays OLWG prompts and only saw a number… But no link to the current prompts. So I looked and found this one from the last set. I’ve posted my current to 390.

    There are many ways to honor those who have ‘left us’… And I think we, who write – do so everytime we write. An enchanting piece for peace.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. a beautiful and touching one, Nancy 🙏

    I had read this yesterday but saved to come back later as I wanted to ask something please…
    I noticed your haibuns don’t always follow the 5-7-5 haiku format. Some are shorter and this one is 7-5-7 if I’m correct. On googling it, I keep getting the 5-7-5 haiku for the format.
    these variations are allowed? Apologies for my ignorance 🥴

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It’s not your ignorance, Destiny; you are far from ignorant! It’s me being rogue as I don’t always follow the haiku rules. 5-7-5 is the standard, I believe, but I’ve seen varying formats throughout WP. I’m not worried about it; in fact, I didn’t think anyone noticed! 😅

      Liked by 1 person

  3. A beautifully written poem and presentation, honoring a meaningful day of remembering. Thank you for this Nancy. Was an emotional day for me, but there are blessings in that. Hope yours brought you peace. 🕊️

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Brilliant use of all the prompts, Nancy. That’s a beautiful haibun. Though it’s hard not to feel sad at their loss, they have indeed attained restful peace. They may be gone but they will always continue to live through their loved ones. We can cherish the beautiful memories we shared in their presence and be grateful for the time we had with them. I think to think that the ones I lost are watching over me, guiding me through difficult times. So I try to live my life with joy safe in the knowledge that that’s what they would want too. Beautifully written, Nancy ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you for that lovely comment, Shweta.
      Our hearts break when someone dear to us dies; how could we not feel like our world has suddenly ended. My husband and I went through that this year. It was an extremely sorrowful time, almost impossible to comprehend. We soldier on, taking each day as it comes. The blow of the loss has softened a bit but the acceptance is difficult to deal with. A constant in our daily existence was suddenly ripped away. Incomprehensible! Our lives are not the same without our brother and never will be.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. That’s so true. I feel as if a small piece of us dies with them. It does feel as if the world is crashing down around us. I’m so sorry for your loss. I hope that you and your family get the strength to bear this loss. I lost my grandpa two years ago and even now, there are days when I acutely miss him and spending time with him. It sucks. But we have to find a way to deal with it. 😢😔

        Liked by 1 person

Leave a reply to Keith's Ramblings Cancel reply