Stone on the Floor – warning of poetry ahead
I’ve just spent much of the last two days sorting out files on my computer. Things had become so chaotic that when I wanted to start making submissions at the end of last month, I couldn’t actually find a lot of things I needed. Clearly something needed doing, and I have therefore done something. It’s not quite fixed the problem but it has made it more manageable. Everything is now contained in a dozen files, and each file has a title that reflects the contents and isn’t confusingly close to the title of any other file. Of course, below that level, chaos still reigns, but it is slightly more orderly than it was, and I’m in with a fighting chance of getting on top of it.
The thing that really strikes home about the poem, apart from the obvious fact that it could be improved, is the fact that only seven years ago you could develop a thought and report a mental journey. You didn’t need all the drama and excitement a lot of editors seem to be seeking these days.
Thirdly, it strikes me that this was published 225 weeks ago. I no longer have the 999 weeks of which I wrote (given average longevity and a following wind). I now have 775 weeks, and that doesn’t sound anything like as good.
Snowy Detail
Seven Thousand Mornings
I knew today wasn’t a morning I was going to enjoy because the tip of my nose was cold and there was a sliver of grey showing round the edge of the curtains. Summer had ended.
This thought made me pause, and in that pause I let my mind run free. I had been watching a TV programme on life expectancies the night before and it suddenly struck me that if I took my current age from my life expectancy and multiplied it by 365 I would know roughly how long I was going to live.
It wasn’t until I finished that I realised I didn’t really want to know.
It’s about 7,000 days.
That’s approximate. I forgot the exact life expectancy, and I multiplied by 360 because it’s easier. I also like all the wrong sorts of food and avoid exercise, which is the wrong way ’round for longevity.
This makes the calculation even less exact.
If it is 7,000 days that’s only a thousand weeks.
Next week it will only be 999 weeks.
I might have to think about getting up earlier and working harder in the time I have left.
Or, I might just give up mental arithmetic.
in the rustling leaves
squirrels seek acorns
two paths diverge
First published Haibun Today 12.4 (December 2018)
Squirrel at Rufford
I enjoyed your first published haibun, Simon. We all tend to squander the time we are given, though some seem to burn it up early. Some are just cut short before they can do much of anything.
I feel I have just pottered through life and done nothing. Obviously it’s not true, as I have frittered, procrastinated and snoozed quite a lot too. 🙂
I think you have done quite a lot in life. Perhaps not all you wanted to, but how many of us do?
Who can tell? From what I see, even if you become a billionaire there are still things you want to do. 🙂
I don’t like to think about the passing of time at all. In spite of all the evidence from creaking joints, I like to pretend that it isn’t happening.
Yes, I felt quite dizzy when I realised how many days I have squandered. I am going to follow your lead and ignore it.
I’m reading a book about time management and 4000 weeks….I think this is a time we don’t need to do marh
My ability to calculate has always been poor, but I certainly get the gist of what you mean. Time, time, time…Which way will that squirrel go?
The squirrel will probably go up, just to confuse me. 🙂
I’m having trouble working out the maths. I am at the stage where looking ahead to next week is painful. But I am concerned that you have an imported squirrel.
The story of our squirrels is a complicated one. 🙂 I offer you this link to explain.
https://www.animalaid.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/historygreysquirrels.pdf
Thank you. I will stop complaining but it is an Australian thing to complain about all the feral animals that have devastated the native animals and environment.
No problem – you have suffered much more than we have from invasive species. Besides, I would not have found the information on our squirrels without your prompting.
You are so welcome. Anything I can do to help.
🙂
Great article. Humans at the root of the problem, try to “fix” it, and create far more troubles.
So true. I had no idea it had been such a complex story.
You are hurting my head
The original calculation fell just right for mental aritmetic. The additional one last night required use of a calculator. Either that or the passing of time has dulled my ability to calculate in my head . . . 🙂