Haibun, Musing, Poem, Theme Prompt

An Unexpected Grace

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Written for dVerse Poets Haibun Monday 1-5-26:
Epiphany where our host Frank asks us to write
a haibun in which we allude to “epiphany” –
however we understand it. Here is my haibun.

Image by Me & Leonardo

I stood at the bedroom mirror longer than usual this morning, studying the landscape of my face as though seeing it for the first time. My 75th birthday is just a little more than a month away. Where did the years go? When did these hands become my grandmother’s hands? The realization arrived not as shock but as a quiet settling, like dust after a long journey. I thought of all the things I meant to do …. the trip to Vienna never taken, the remodeling never done, the letter never written. But then I remembered: the love shared in a long and beautiful marriage, the grandchildren’s fevers I soothed, the friend I called every Saturday for thirty-seven years. The weight slowly lifted. What remained was not regret but a strange lightness, an unexpected grace. I am here. I have been here all along.

autumn leaves falling –
each one was green once, blazing
its own brief summer

NAR©2026

This is “Vienna” by Billy Joel

Haibun Monday 1-5-26: Epiphany

All text and graphics are copyright for Nancy Richy and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.

45 thoughts on “An Unexpected Grace”

  7. Mr. 75-next-month relates. He doesn’t recognize the ancient, wrinkled hands on his keyboard anymore; is frequently surprised (occasionally pleased) with whatever they’re clicking out.

    Haibunilicious work, N. Thanks

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  8. Your epiphany resonated with me, Nancy. I often find that I don’t recognise myself, especially my hands! I’m looking forward to that strange lightness and unexpected grace. I love the haiku, too. Happy New Year!

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