I rejuvenated (never say “retired”) exactly five years ago this Friday. From a stress-filled dean’s job at a university including solo global travel to doing . . . what? Talk about transition! I decided to reverse roles and became a student in an online poetry class. The pen hit the paper every morning as if a dam had been breached. Then I found WordPress and this untechie created a website. I was thrilled when I reached ten followers – all relatives. And then I found dVerse.
For me, writing is a space in and of itself, unlike any physical space. There’s a part of my mind that seems to have a conversation with my pen. dVerse introduced me to new forms and meters, and forced me to sometimes include that bug-a-boo-for-me, rhyme. I write for myself. Because of dVerse, I also edit and rewrite for my readers. Rejuvenatement brought a huge change to my biorhythms and my frequent-flyer status. dVerse made me a Samurai of words – gave me the courage to “put-it-out-there.” It’s introduced me to folks around the world who, like me, enjoy the power and creativity of words. Today, for the very first time, my computer’s auto-correct didn’t automatically change haibun to habit. How fitting is that??? Aren’t you proud of me, Toni? 🙂
migrating geese
arrow formation in cold crisp air
transition flies forward
Post is “double-duty” for dVerse, the online pub for poets. Today, Paul hosts Tuesday Poetics and asks us to write about a change in our lives. Yesterday was Haibun Monday where, for the last time, Toni hosted and asked us to write about how we write/our plans for our writing. She is retiring from the dVerse board, although we’ll continue to see her poetry posts. For me, Toni is inspirational….she’s patiently taught me how to write a haibun (tight, nonfiction prose followed by a haiku). She personifies the haibun’s Japanese spirit. Thank you, Toni. This one’s for you! 🙂
lillian the home poet 
Brava.. 🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀
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Glad you enjoyed! 🙂
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You certainly echo many of my sentiments & conclusions. dVerse has been, continues to be a haven for many of us–allowing us to be read, and to enjoy an international fellowship. So many self-publish and I understand why, and wish them well; but after 50 years of writing, I don’t want to be that 80 year old that publishes his first novel; just saying.
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Smiling I am. The “self-publishing” business is booming these days. For me, I’m just happy to see my words up on the web and, if occasionally, a little competitive edge sneaks in, I try for a tanka in The Tanka Society Ribbons or send in a One Sentence to the online group. Publishing is not a need or goal for me….just happy to feel the spirit to write! 🙂
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I am so glad we reconnected through your writing. I am enjoying reading the words you scribe through this forum. ❤ XXOO
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Oh yes, Adda! So VERY glad we’ve reconnected ❤
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I just haven’t been able to persuade myself to take a poetry or writing course. People (relatives) have tried to encourage it, but something about real assignments and deadlines scare me. Never been a good student, but I know it would probably be more than beneficial. My walls just have to cave in and I have to know its the right course, price (cheap) and time. I am discovering that I am not necessarily a late bloomer in writing. Many don’t start till later in life. Enjoyed reading this and I love the haiku.
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Ah, the course I took was very reasonably priced — although now, three years later, her prices have risen so I’m no longer willing to take them. It was a simple course, with prompts etc…and at the end of 21 days, I sent in three poems for her suggestions (through snail mail). I learned a lot and never felt like they were “assignments” with deadlines. Truth be told, I’ve learned so much from dVerse and find the prompts excellent. So glad to see you here, Mary. And looking forward to reading in the AM.
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A wonderful poem on change and a fitting tribute to Toni who has indeed been an inspiration to all of us at dVerse.
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Glad you enjoyed, Paul. Great prompt and thanks for tending — know your life has been very busy lately!
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Writing is a space for myself too Lillian ~ Glad we found you along the dVerse trail ~ I will never say retired too ~ Love your haibun ~
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Thanks, Grace. Glad you enjoyed this one…it is truly heartfelt. dVerse is such a very special place!
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I can only agree…. even the way writing changes you… you become more aware, always ready to snapshot what you see into words… eavesdropping and searching… I know that the day I retire I will have something instead of having to look…
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…you mean the day you “rejuvenate.” Never say “retire” — trust me, you won’t be tired. You’ll be rejuvenated! And what I forgot to mention in the haibun or in its explanation at the end, is a thank you for finding me! It’s because of you, Bjorn — your invitation to explore dVerse, that I’m here 🙂
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Reading the first paragraph, our lives have followed similar paths, only I retired from teaching 3 1/2 years ago and the on-line course I did was writing a novel with Penguin Random House. My pen also hit the paper every morning and then I found WordPress and started writing poetry again until I found dVerse, to which I soon became addicted. Were we separated in childhood or have we met in a previous life? 🙂 Love the emigrating geese, Lill!
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Ah Kim….we find ourselves “syncopated” quite often! How I wish, so many times, that we could all meet some day at a real pub. Glad you enjoyed the geese! 🙂
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I know an interenational get-together would be difficult but maybe I should ‘chat’ to the other Brits and Europeans to see if we could organise a get-together – or even a writing retreat.
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I too love the geese. They represent continuity in change, solidity as well as utter aerial freedom. Good on you, Lillian.
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Thanks much, Jane. So glad you enjoyed! 🙂 I should have mentioned their honking noise as they migrate in the sky —- celebratory transitioning! 🙂
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I love that noise! We get far more cranes than geese and their call is not so musical. Also they lose it quite often and the skein falls apart into chaos.
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An inspiring haibun Lillian and I love your closing haiku especially :o) xxx
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Thank you! 🙂 All are heartfelt in this write!
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I love the haibun and the haiku is resplendent. thank you so much for your kind words Lillian. You also inspire me. I ran away from my work about 3 years ago….never say retire, say…escaped!!! I find you inspirational as well – always traveling, full of curiousity and companssion. Thank you for being you!
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Smiling I am, Toni. Hoping hoping you come by often! 🙂
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Perfect symbolism in the geese formation. Thank you for sharing this with us, Lil!
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Glad you enjoyed, Jilly. As I mentioned to someone else, I also wanted to mention their honking as they fly along….celebratory transitioning! 🙂
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It’s a wonderful sound! We have sandhill cranes here who do the same thing but they sound more like dinosaurs. Haha!
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“And then I found dVerse.” So glad we both did! I have also learned a great deal there, from Toni and others. I’m still overcoming my own bug-a-boo, which is meter. Rhyme is sublime, but with meter I’m a cheater. 😉
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Hah! I just count on my fingers….like I used to in math 🙂 RhymeZone is my salvation — if not used, everything I write would sound like “roses are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet and so are you!” 🙂
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I love RhymeZone. WordHippo.com is another great site for rhymes and more. I count on my fingers for meter, too, but then people tell me I didn’t get it right. I suspect there is more to meter than syllable count, but I don’t quite get what that is. 🙂
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I love the ending to your prose. 🙂
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Thanks! And it’s absolutely true…after 2+ (maybe 3) years of writing haibun, my computer finally recognizes the word! 🙂
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I like how you’re lining in the moment while flowing in transition. Well done:)
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…living… (typo)
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ah yes….living in the moment is key. Thankful for every day! 🙂
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i like the haiku you formed with a very pointed affirmation of moving forward. and being an “unteachie” – (loved this word!) its marvelous to discover how teachable we are. this is a wonderful place to learn about writing poetry and also discovering a little more about ourselves each time we write a dverse prompt.
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Exactly! 🙂 Glad you enjoyed the post.
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What a stunning haiku. And the prose portion in your free voice is great- the joy you’ve found in rejuvenatement is inspiring!
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Rejuvenatement — a MUCH better word than the tired “retirement.” 🙂
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Yes, and maybe one day my spell check will accept THAT!
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So glad you rejuvenated and we can enjoy your voice here!
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Thank you, Bev! I do love dVerse 🙂
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A brilliant haibun, Lillian! Succinct, and yet so encompassing of your journey. Wonderful haiku at the end, too! Bravo!
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Thank you for your very kind words, Frank. I do love dVerse! 🙂
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My pleasure, Lillian! I love dVerse, too!
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Transition flies forward… that seems to be the case with change. Is there ever a time for transitioning backwards? Love the photo also.
Dwight
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It makes me happy that you found and became such an integral part of dVerse, Lillian. The haiku is so perfect. We have many geese flying over us on the way south. I love watching their formations and how they maintain them.
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Nicely done, and a wonderful tribute to Toni.
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This is wonderful, Lillian! I relate to writing being a space unto itself. It’s a sacred place! Thank you for sharing this – I’m smiling for you. 💜
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