Prodigy

Dear Diary

My dog died yesterday. We were playing frisbee in the back yard and it was really hot. I'm not allowed to run so he did the running for both of us and I guess it just wore him out because he fell on his side and breathed really hard and then just    stopped. Dad said it might have been heartworms. We buried him under the big ugly oak tree out back and mommy put a sign on his grave that reads: Here lies Rainbow - The best dog in the whole wide world. He was only    seven.

I got accepted into Julliard. This Fall I will become the youngest student ever enrolled, beating out the late, great Hazel Scott by one year. Ever since I can remember, musical compositions have come easy to me. Beethoven, Chopin, Rachmaninov, it doesn't matter. Once I hear it played it becomes burned into my memory. And when I perform, I don't miss a    note. 

My birthday is next Sunday. Dad promised me a My Really Real Puppy. I was going to get a Lego Science Station set but we changed it because... well you know. Today my head hurts   super bad. The doctor told us to expect it. I threw up three times last night.

The stars are out now and I can see the moon too. I wonder if anyone lives up there. Mommy says    God    does but I've never seen him. She told me I can talk to him anytime I want and he would listen, even to a sick little six-year-old boy. I think I'll try it tonight. I've been feeling down lately.

glioblastoma
prayers float to the heavens 
grant him one more year
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025


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12
Date: 7/21/2025 5:45:00 AM
Always great narrative. Sad though. Brain cancer is no joke, always fatal. Still I admire the dexterity of writing.
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Tom Woody
Date: 7/21/2025 5:58:00 AM
Thx Vic. I have a close relative and a friend with brain tumors. Tough times
Date: 7/20/2025 2:41:00 PM
Powerful stuff! Real poetry. :) john
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Tom Woody
Date: 7/20/2025 2:46:00 PM
Thx big guy
Date: 7/19/2025 10:32:00 PM
sounds like a young Mozart - heartbreaking
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Tom Woody
Date: 7/20/2025 5:36:00 AM
True. Thx David
Date: 7/18/2025 11:08:00 PM
devastatingly sensitive, tom...i love how you made the story so vulnerable, innocent yet meaningful... haibun becomes you!
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Tom Woody
Date: 7/19/2025 4:28:00 AM
Thx Nette. Haven't felt inspired lately. Hopefully soon
Date: 7/17/2025 12:01:00 PM
You pen beautiful words as a Haibun. It touches me and anyone who reads.
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Tom Woody
Date: 7/17/2025 12:03:00 PM
I'm a simple writer so much appreciated
Date: 7/17/2025 5:58:00 AM
Superb and evocative haibun, Tom. You are among the finest exponents of this category of poetry, my friend.
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Tom Woody
Date: 7/17/2025 6:00:00 AM
That's what I keep hearing. Sara Baker writes an awesome haibun too. Thx much
Date: 7/15/2025 3:55:00 PM
reading your Haibun was like reading a short story--excellent delivery. Your poem touched me and left me feeling sad for the little boy, the sickly prodigy. I enjoy writing Haibuns....they work for me. Enjoy your evening!
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Tom Woody
Date: 7/15/2025 4:21:00 PM
I remember some of your excellent haibuns. I'm sure you'll be writing more. Thx
Date: 7/12/2025 2:41:00 PM
Excellent, poignant haibun, Tom. You're one of the very best at this form, my friend.
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Tom Woody
Date: 7/12/2025 3:01:00 PM
It allows me to tell a short story. Thx much
Date: 7/12/2025 7:39:00 AM
I'm a dog lover and I'm so moved with your beautiful haibun my dear poet friend, Tom. Such a stellar piece that captivated and deeply touched my heart this evening. Thanks a lot for sharing. God bless you always and your poetry. Hugs
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Tom Woody
Date: 7/12/2025 10:11:00 AM
Glad you stopped by Len
Date: 7/11/2025 7:38:00 AM
Sometimes dreams are shattered by illness, A moving write
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Tom Woody
Date: 7/11/2025 11:45:00 AM
So true. Thx Joe
Date: 7/7/2025 1:21:00 PM
Ah, this really touched my heart Tom,
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Tom Woody
Date: 7/7/2025 1:29:00 PM
I'm glad
Date: 7/6/2025 10:05:00 AM
You are a wise man, who can play with words, but you always mean good and speak from the heart, pulling our heartstrings at the same time- I sense the fiction within and commend you clever poet. Blessings, hugs Jennifer.
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Tom Woody
Date: 7/6/2025 10:07:00 AM
Playing with words is a succinct description of my writes. Poetry is just a hobby for me and Poetry Soup a playground. Nevertheless, I get satisfaction from the interchanges, especially when sincere
Date: 7/6/2025 8:17:00 AM
Great storytelling as always Tommy... You really know how to pull at those heartstrings...
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Tom Woody
Date: 7/6/2025 9:35:00 AM
We try, we try. Thx
Date: 7/6/2025 12:33:00 AM
Losing a family pet is heartbreaking, many on here will have experienced it. You write these well. Tom
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Tom Woody
Date: 7/6/2025 4:40:00 AM
Muchos gracias
Date: 7/5/2025 10:40:00 PM
Dear Tom, I was completely captivated by the intimate tone of your “Dear Diary” haibun and totally drawn into the poignancy of the piece from start to finish. Emotive and evocative prose from a child prodigy’s pov and an impactful haiku that drives the impending heartbreak home. Brilliant writing, your golden pen shines! Warmest wishes my poet friend.. ~Suze
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Tom Woody
Date: 7/6/2025 4:41:00 AM
Appreciate always your input!
Date: 7/5/2025 4:53:00 PM
Although this is fictitious it is tragically true for certain people, and you have written a heartbreaking piece about it.
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Tom Woody
Date: 7/5/2025 5:03:00 PM
I aim for the heartstrings. Thx
Date: 7/5/2025 10:42:00 AM
This could be the start of something miraculous. if God answers, he' all attend school and excel with the Lord's blessing. Tugging on heartstrings with this one. Blessings
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Tom Woody
Date: 7/5/2025 12:33:00 PM
We'll have to wait and see. Maybe a sequel? Thx much
Date: 7/4/2025 10:31:00 PM
Ahhhh... life attacks indiscriminantly. That is certainly true. The death of the doggie was bad enough and then you had to go and pull the little boy into it. So sad, but well written. I'm glad it's fiction, but I've seen enough to know many innocent children suffer needlessly.... illness, war, abuse and the list goes on. Thank you for your visit to my page.
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Tom Woody
Date: 7/5/2025 4:25:00 AM
I'll bet you have too. So sad
Date: 7/4/2025 7:33:00 AM
A wonderful story with literary grace. Reading every line with interest was something I enjoyed.
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Tom Woody
Date: 7/4/2025 7:35:00 AM
Hey das is goot! Thx
Date: 7/3/2025 3:44:00 PM
Oh my goodness ! So many experiences for such a little boy !! No wonder he escapes into haibuns. Anyway his doggy will be covered in nice warm acorns, except those musical oldies are turning in their graves knowing their exquisite notes are burned into his gray matter. Nice cameo, Sir Woody ~ oak says she is pleased ur not Sir Oak, because U called her old. sob, sob x.
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Tom Woody
Date: 7/3/2025 6:19:00 PM
Haha thx for visit Ms Daniels
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Ghairo Daniels
Date: 7/3/2025 3:47:00 PM
Oops, forgot! Grant many more, dear Sir of Sirs.
Date: 7/2/2025 2:14:00 PM
you penned a tearjerker with this one, fictional it may be, but tragic reality for some..
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Tom Woody
Date: 7/2/2025 4:11:00 PM
Thx and yes, so true.
Date: 7/2/2025 8:57:00 AM
Your a talented storyteller Tom.
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Tom Woody
Date: 7/2/2025 9:47:00 AM
Glad you found this worthwhile John
Date: 7/1/2025 6:04:00 AM
This is heartbreaking and beautifully expressed.
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Tom Woody
Date: 7/1/2025 6:13:00 AM
Much thx for visit Rick
Date: 7/1/2025 6:00:00 AM
Deeply emotional work that you have penned in this one. I could feel the emotion within the lines. Thank you for sharing it with us. I don't know if it is truth as of now, from the past or just a creative work but it reads like a good contender if for a contest. Way to go. Sara K
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Tom Woody
Date: 7/1/2025 6:13:00 AM
This one is contest free lol. Thx Sara
Date: 7/1/2025 4:47:00 AM
Powerful penning! Even if fiction' Somewhere it is likely true…May I say that getting type 1 diabetes at age 8' God has caused me to face death (& think about Life/deTH) for 66 yrs now…When i write/think/feel abut time/purpose/i concern every age from say the eldery to a newborn who survives less than an hour. I tried to get this in my poem “The All We Are” that took over ayr to write. & i find this power/concern in your moving poem here. Thank you for this.
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Tom Woody
Date: 7/1/2025 5:15:00 AM
Thank you Sally and we're glad you're still with us
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