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Alison Williams

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Haibun: Escaping

The bank holiday weather forecast is predictable - more rain. Still, given a few days off work and the chance to get out of doors we do tend to get our hopes up.

dream of summer -
a bee’s slow drone fades
into night rain

Having escaped into the countryside, at least as far as that’s possible with the footpaths closed off with notices warning of the risk of spreading foot and mouth disease, we find others also making the best of it.

Easter Sunday
two old men eat ice-cream
in the rain

Early season camp sites offer a variety of entertainment.

missing the bird
I watch the quiver     
of a twig		 caravan window -
last summer’s spider     
bleached white		 a blackbird’s
third stab at the worm -
spring chill

For a brief moment the sun comes out. Then goes in again.

long afternoon -
the warmth fades
from my tea-cup

There are many ways of escape. A classical music station plays the results of its listeners’ poll.

violin solo -
two finches flit
from tree to tree

 

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