By the Waterfall
Haibun We take our first hike of this season on the Pine Meadow trail. Soon, we diverge onto the yellow-marked trail at the first junction. The clouds of early morning break apart. The sun...
Author: Frank J. Tassone
What We Haven’t Done
Haibun She intended to be early. I intended to repair the loose pavers. Neither of us realized our intentions. Which one of us will hear about our respective failure first? a car door’s slam...
a Lunar Eclipse Unseen
Haibun Quarter to three in the morning. Clouds roll in — blocking the moon. I had set the alarm to wake me at eight minutes past three. My plan was to wake Frankie, so...
Vineyard Visit
Haibun A patio of filled tables and empty bottles. A trio plays the Beatles, the lead singer tapping a tambourine against her thigh. We stopped at the Torne Valley Vineyard on the way back...
Her Infirmity is My Insomnia
Haibun I wake up at four in the morning. Try and sleep again. Mira coughs, inhales hard. Coughs again. She gets up and sprays her nostrils with her over-the-counter spray. I listen to her....
Buying His New Bicycle
Haibun Frankie leaves his bike by the Toys”R”Us customer service desk. Someone already put a sign on it: “bike exchange.” “Think of all the joy another boy as old as you were will get...
RA Flare-up
Haibun Too long since the last shot of Enbrel. This familiar stiffness and grating pain throughout the shoulders, elbows, fingers, and knees. This dull, constant pain that shortens tempers and lengthens anxieties. I already...
Answering the Call
Haibun The girls prance up the driveway. With their long-legged strides and pre-adolescent growth spurts, they could pass for high school track stars. Frankie races downstairs and opens the front door before they even...
Euphoric Acedia
Haibun Afternoon winds blew apart gray cumulus clouds that canvased the sky. Patches of radiant blue appear. Frankie wraps his arms around my neck, covers my mouth, and says, “complainer.” Mira, rising with a...
Reunion Requiem
Haibun It’s been years since we all last met. Of course, we would feel a little awkward at first! Christine takes another chip off her plate. Peter sips his Pepsi. Neither says a word....
A Noteworthy Change
Haibun Songbirds chirp outside. They join the gurgling coffee maker. The sky brightens earlier and earlier. Barely past six, it’s almost blue. budding boughs so still on the table this empty bowl more by...
