Haibun, Poetry, Theme Prompt, Writing Challenge, Writing Prompts

Being Still: A Haibun

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

Written for Tanka Tuesday where our host,
Yvette, asks us to write a poem about facing
our fears and treading with trepidation.

Image by Me & ChatGPT

The pamphlet on the kitchen table describes the procedure in careful, impersonal language …. needle, fluoroscope, computer-guided, contrast dye …. words that do nothing to soften the ache already gathering at the base of my skull, not from arthritis this time but from tension. And fear.
But then I think of all the mornings when I couldn’t turn my head to check for traffic or the painful tightness in my neck and shoulders as I stood at the kitchen counter chopping vegetables. Sometimes there are nights when even the weight of a blanket is too much.
My doctor is a specialist in cervical spinal epidurals and has assured me this is a routine procedure done regularly with great success. The needle is a small and precise fear …. nothing compared to the fear of another year like this one.
So often I’ve had to be brave without feeling very brave at all. Sometimes, courage is just the act of being still.

cold prep on my skin
I’ve felt it so many times ….
fear cannot stop me

NAR©2026

Nancy’s Notes: I’ve had arthritis for the past 25 years and it’s now quite severe, especially in my neck and shoulders. Physical therapy, massage, acupuncture, pain meds, trigger point injections, and nerve blocks were either not enough or failed completely. After consulting my orthopedist, we agree a cervical spinal epidural is the way to go. I’m scheduled for August 27. No matter how many times my doctor has done this, no medical procedure is without risks and I’m nervous …. but it’s something I have to do. As my husband reminded me, if I can find the courage to have my heart zapped (successful Radio Frequency Ablation in 1999 for tachycardia with syncope), I can muster the courage for this.

This is  “I Won’t Back Down” by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers with George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, and Ringo Starr

#TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge No. 78, Tread with Trepidation! 8/18/26

Everything on The Elephant’s Trunk was created by me, unless otherwise indicated, and may not be used with permission. Thanks for your consideration. NAR©2017-present.

17 thoughts on “Being Still: A Haibun”

  1. It’s amazing how such circumstances can generate such haibunifully wonderful work, isn’t it? Me and my brittle bones and artificial knee, hip, and shoulder are keeping our (gnarled) fingers crossed for a positive outcome…

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  2. Oh I hope it goes well Nance, I suffer with arthritis but mostly in my knees – I can only imagine in your neck and shoulders must be very debilitating. I’ll be thinking of you – this is a great track to spur you on ❤️

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    1. As a fellow sufferer, you’re well acquainted with the pain; if there’s a chance to get relief, I’m going to take it. I’ve come to realize there’s a song for every situation in life and this one is the perfect song for me. Thanks for your good wishes, my friend; they mean a lot and I’m most appreciative. ❤️

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  3. Darn, Nancy! You have been through it, haven’t you?! This might be routine for the doc….I will be thinking of you. Yeah, yeah–the nuns just slapped me. Saying a prayer for you, too.

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    1. Dang nuns! They’re like Velcro! 😂 Yeah, it’s been one thing after the other. I sure wasn’t planning on spending my golden years this way but what choice do I have? One thing’s for sure …. I’m not giving up! Thanks so much for your good wishes and for those prayers, my friend. I’ll take all I can get! 💕

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