Category: Uncategorized

Haibun 12

~ mikerehling ~ 1 Comment

reserving a room in hell

Over time, you experience these losses. But you never see them coming. They seem unnatural, but then suicide always has that going for it. No one seems to know the cause, it masquerades as a general dissatisfaction with their life. Thinking back you saw something, but still can’t put your finger on a fact, or find a reason. Religion is a barrier and no relief. “His soul will go to hell you know?” No, I don’t know that, and right now I would rather be with him than you.

impermanence . . .
a winter storm
passes between us

First Published in:  HaibunToday!

Haibun 11

~ mikerehling ~ Leave a comment

It does not take much to remember . . .

Vietnam. Someone says that word, places that place into my mind and it speeds through all the black and white movie reels again. As if it matters, my cat jumps into my lap and wants to be petted. I do it, mechanically moving my fingers between her ears, and think to myself about gain and loss. It is a perfect moment, really.

shooting the moon
my finger
always dead center

First Published in:  HaibunToday!

Haibun 10

~ mikerehling ~ Leave a comment

A Failure of Language

It has been years, yes years, since my brother and I spoke in any meaningful way. It was his decision, and not based on any action or inaction of mine, at least that I am aware of. Now, I will never really know. Having just finished a phone call with him, the last I will ever have, all I can do is wonder at the why?

long winter
birds peck at dry grass
in fresh snow

After a sharp weight loss, celiac disease was the diagnosis, and a gluten-free diet the prescription. Twenty pounds more in weight loss and an MRI revealed the mass in the small intestines of my brother. The surgery the next day removed the mass that had already involved the intestines. ‘Lymphoma’ is an undramatic word with dramatic implications. His life would be over in less than six months.

contemplating
the vernal equinox
lost in a ‘polar vortex’

First published in:  HaibunToday!

Sequence 1

~ mikerehling ~ Leave a comment

Miles Ahead

not being here
it
never entered my mind

all blues
as the stars fade
into new days

stockholm
where were you
when i was young

if i were a bell
the world
would ring forever

stuff
and the riff
on the last riff

early morning
after
b e er s h i t s

building
colors on frozen sand
northern lights

human nature
the delicate touch of
whatever comes my way

clay pigeons
feeding them
anyway

knowing
nothing
the flight of birds

First published in:  moongarlic E-zine!

Haibun 9

~ mikerehling ~ Leave a comment

immovable objects

growing older. two titans form in my mind. primary is the memory of everyone i have known as ‘friend’. so overwhelming it is that ‘counting’ is lost on me. all of the playmates of youth. the games both sporting and romantic. two marriages one of which i cherish completely to this day. the children both mine and the ones that make me ‘grand’. the scent of incense and peaceful reflection that flow through all of these.

but then there is loss. that war from early years. the struggles of sudden youthful deaths. beautiful memories that turn to tears. the bridge i have to cross some day in the future. in the most silent of ways. i wonder will all the memories come with me. will anyone remember me.

where i fit in
with others
potholes in a winter road

First published in:  Hedgerow!

Haibun 8

~ mikerehling ~ Leave a comment

the value in going over the line…

i firmly believe that the third glass of wine is the best. the fourth glass is good too and i highly recommend it to you. without it you will never know for sure that the third glass is the best.

sometimes
the future is already dead
moon viewing

First Published in: Hedgerow!

Haibun 7

~ mikerehling ~ 1 Comment

clarity overrated

some people like to nail things down. me i just wonder at the wonder of it all. good days. bad days. what are they anyway. sometimes the closest you are to anyone is the day they die. not to be morbid but there is no longer any expectations. no worry about what they might or might not do. only that peaceful reflection that comes when you place the last piece in the puzzle and can finally marvel at the entire picture. but even that is just a dream. in the end all the puzzle pieces go back into the box.

fog horn
but i already knew
about the fog

First Published in:  Hedgerow!

Haibun 6

~ mikerehling ~ 1 Comment

theory of poetry

i am at a poetry reading. i am sitting in the back of the room and my mind wanders. they read for another hour or so it seems. then the person leading the reading suddenly points at me and says

what do you think mike.

so i blurt out a question.

i wonder how far the closest Hard Rock Cafe is from here.

the sudden silence in the room stuns even me.

 

the parking lot
is full of cars…
i am a pedestrian

 

First published in Hedgerow!