29 July: 20 Pieces of a Poem

Piece #3: The One With Five Senses

He comes from a family that rations affection, not that they’re cold or unfeeling, and he always  assumes he’s loved even though it’s not put in so many words.  There’s no diabetes from sweetness, that’s for sure, and they all possess a firm grip, a baker’s grip, no damp-cotton handshakes in this family, Ida said.  She once scolded her youngest boy for hugging his granny too tight. “You’re going to break her,” Ida said. Of course, he knew his gran wasn’t breakable, but he did dial back the enthusiasm a bit. Nobody wants to hear their gran snap like a winter’s dry twig. 


A stiff upper lip 
When you are trying to drink
It’s like riding a bike

Poetic Form: Haibun. This is Piece Three (draft) of a multi-part project. The concept was originally created by Jim Simmerman, entitled “Twenty Little Poetry Projects”. Image Flickr Commons State Library of Queensland, Family picnic in the Queensland bush, 1900-1910. Shared with @Experimentsinfc #APoemADay on Twitter ©Misky 2021

8 responses to “29 July: 20 Pieces of a Poem”

  1. Very beautiful and solemn. I find this sad especially as I go through my own personal experiences—I grew up the opposite. If anything, I had too much affection lol.

    But when it comes down to it, I guess a lot of families can be like that—not too affectionate but also not quite cold at the same time. Goes to show how people love in different ways. A very well written haibun, Misky!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you, Lucy. Your comments are always appreciated.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. The brittle granny that might break is a powerful image as well as the comic relief of the lack of diabetes. Wonderous how affection or lack of affection shapes us.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you! 😁

      Liked by 1 person

  3. I loved that line about the brittle granny as well 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Exquisite! I am just loving this series!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you. Glad you’re still along for the ride. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

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