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.

39 thoughts on “Being Still: A Haibun”

  4. Life’s a battle sometimes, but you’re a proven warrior, wishing you all the best my dear friend … and just keeping listening to Tom Petty’s great song 🥰🌏😊💕💛

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  6. wasn’t it just last year I prayed for you? Nancy… dear Nancy. Be well. I will be praying for you no matter how many times you don’t ask. I pray for my blogging friends every night anyway. Will keep this one on repeat. And for the Doctors too. You are strong. love the post and how you used the prompt. Bless you

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    1. Dear sweet Selma …. thank you for this lovely and inspiring comment. Just knowing that you and my other blogging friends will be praying for me makes my heart sing. It’s amazing to have so much love and support coming in my direction. ❤️

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  7. Don’t you just love living in your “golden years” when you have to keep track of your daily pills, check you calendar each week to see what doctor appointments you have coming up, and worry that today’s minor ache or pain will turn into tomorrow‘s major heath care issue? Good luck with your procedure, Nancy. I hope it successfully gives you the relief you are seeking.

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    1. Right on, Fan! I certainly didn’t expect my body to betray me. It’s an effort not to let it drag me down, but I won’t let that happen; I was there before and it was not a good place. It really helps to receive all these good wishes. Thanks very much. ☺️

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  10. 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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  11. 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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  12. 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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