An Autumn Farewell

Going out of his way, the obliging taxi driver drives to the top of the hill.
      A young man gets out, walks a short distance to a vantage point
                where his gaze falls upon the village down below, 
                the old cottages and farmhouses, sprawling fields,
                        winding lanes, and the clustered trees
                                where the stream skips by.

                                       an overcast sky
                                 scent of rain is in the air
                                     a lone robin chirps

                  His eyes roam slowly, taking in little details,
                       keen to save them in his mind, fresh,
             like the morning dew clinging to the swaying grass.

                                 the cool autumn breeze
                               ruffles hair and memories
                                     stirring emotions

                           Time is pressing. One last look.
                    Then he reluctantly goes back to the car.
            Soon, it’s speeding along the asphalted country road
              heading to the station where a steam train awaits.
                     A new chapter in life...The city beckons.

                                   sudden drops of rain
                                spatter on the hazy glass
                                    sad eyes turn misty


---------------------------------------
Written: 15th November, 2015

Contest: Any Poem Written in 2015
Sponsor: Laura Loo (2016)
Placed 1st

Contest: Creative Haibuns (2015)
Sponsor: Charlotte Jade Puddifoot
Placed 4th
Copyright © | Year Posted 2015

Poem

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12
Merryman Avatar
July 19, 2016 at 9:19 PM
A wonderful, well written haibun, Paul! Congrats on your 1st place win! Blessings!
Callus Avatar
July 20, 2016 at 5:08 PM
Thank you, Kim. Your lovely comments are appreciated. All the best...paul
Devnath  Avatar
July 18, 2016 at 10:29 AM
Memory of a Journey to the top of hill where from a beautiful picture is drawn of villages and sprawling fields and many more from the vintage point, beautifully expressed. A nice 7. Congrats on your win my lovely genius friend. Loved always, bl
Callus Avatar
July 18, 2016 at 12:41 PM
You have nicely abridged my poem, BL. Thank you for reading and commenting...and for the high rating. Best regards, my friend. // paul
Ebbs Avatar
July 16, 2016 at 11:19 PM
Great Job Paul!
Callus Avatar
July 17, 2016 at 2:54 AM
Thank you Ed. Have a nice day. // paul
Richards Avatar
July 16, 2016 at 3:53 PM
I'm so glad I'm getting a chance to read a poem of yours I might have missed!! Thank goodness for 2nd chances !! Love this wonderful haibun !!
Callus Avatar
July 16, 2016 at 5:06 PM
I agree with you, Carrie; 2nd chances are to be encouraged. Thank you for reading and liking; pleased to be sharing top spot with you! Regards ~ paul
Scars Avatar
July 16, 2016 at 2:06 PM
Paul...a beautiful haibun, one of my fav forms...congrats on your placement and thank you for being a part of my contest :)-luloo
Callus Avatar
July 16, 2016 at 5:03 PM
Thank you very much, Laura! This was my first haibun, so it's always going to be special to me. I am so pleased to have placed high on your list...it was a pleasure taking part in your contest:) Warm regards // paul
Wigley Avatar
December 9, 2015 at 8:24 PM
A beautifully crafted piece, and a Haibun under your belt, to boot. Congratulations, Paul. Regards, Viv
Callus Avatar
December 11, 2015 at 3:29 PM
Thank you Viv:) So far this the only haibun that I've written. Must have another go at it; it's a form that offers various opportunities. ~ Regards // paul
Sietesantos Avatar
December 9, 2015 at 9:46 AM
Hi Paul, double congratulations on your well-deserved win and I am so delighted to see this awesome Haibun appearing on the "Best New Poems" list! A-7 of course. I continue to learn from you, my gifted poet friend! Pandita
Callus Avatar
December 11, 2015 at 3:31 PM
You are very kind, Pandita:) We are lucky to be able to learn from one another! Thank you for the feedback and the high rating:) ~ Have a lovely weekend. // paul
A  Avatar
November 28, 2015 at 3:15 PM
Paul :) A nice and creative win. Love SKAT
Callus Avatar
November 28, 2015 at 3:30 PM
Thank you Skat:) Hope you're enjoying your weekend! hugs // paul
Marcum Wong Avatar
November 27, 2015 at 5:02 PM
Congratulations on your winnng poem Paul. Very well written. I agree with what Charlotte said...elegant!
Callus Avatar
November 28, 2015 at 9:04 AM
Pleased that you liked my presentation, Connie! I'm very satisfied with my placing, considering that this was my first poem in haibun form. ~ Have a lovely weekend. Regards // paul
Cwiak Avatar
November 27, 2015 at 10:49 AM
I can picture the trip in my mind, as if I were the one looking from the vantage point. Exceptionally well done, Paul. Congrats on the win.
Callus Avatar
November 28, 2015 at 9:00 AM
Your comments are appreciated, Dan. Thank you for stopping by. // paul
A. Sharma Avatar
November 26, 2015 at 9:42 PM
Such a beauty in every word Paul... first haiku just amazingly beautiful.. Congrats on big win!
Callus Avatar
November 28, 2015 at 8:58 AM
So glad that you enjoyed it, Upma! Thank you for reading and commenting. Regards // paul
Cheema Avatar
November 26, 2015 at 10:54 AM
Congrats Paul! I liked the description of the man getting out of the car, standing on the vantage point andlooking down at the farmhouses...
Callus Avatar
November 26, 2015 at 12:08 PM
Glad you liked this haibun, Balveen. Thank you for the congrats and the feedback. ~ Regards // paul
Puddifoot Avatar
November 26, 2015 at 8:25 AM
very well written, elegant; it really brings forth the mood and feeling...that first haiku is a very good example of a well written one - congrats on your win in my contest!
Callus Avatar
November 26, 2015 at 12:05 PM
Many thanks Charlotte. It was a pleasure taking part. Pleased to be on your winners' list. ~ All the best. // paul
Kayode Avatar
November 26, 2015 at 6:33 AM
Congrats on the win Paul...hugs
Callus Avatar
November 26, 2015 at 12:06 PM
Thank you for being first with congrats Kayode! All the best. // paul
Pinet Avatar
November 21, 2015 at 12:10 PM
You describe your experience perfectly and it takes shape in my mind’s eye. You imagery is top notch and brings life to the character’s profile. A very human touch to this poem with an easily understandable story. Well written. Emile. #7
Callus Avatar
November 22, 2015 at 1:54 PM
Emile I bow to your capable positive feedback! You read the poem well, my friend. My type of criticism:) Thank you. ~ Regards // paul
Delaney Avatar
November 20, 2015 at 3:22 PM
This is wonderful Paul: You really have captured the tone of a last farewell before a new beginning...that moment of breaking away, Perfect Haibun. SuZ,,,,,7
Callus Avatar
November 22, 2015 at 1:37 PM
Love your reaction to this haibun, Suzanne:) Glad that you found it praiseworthy! Thank you for commenting and for the high rating. All the best. // paul
Scars Avatar
November 19, 2015 at 3:43 PM
7! I LOVE Haibuns now, ever since I entered this contest. They're such a great combination of two of my favorite forms...gl in the contest, you will do great :) -lu x
Scars Avatar
November 22, 2015 at 2:35 PM
I agree :)-lu *smiles*
Callus Avatar
November 22, 2015 at 1:41 PM
At first I imagined haibun to be something strange, till I looked it up and then found it to be a rather attractive form. Thank you for the 7:) Regards // paul
D. Avatar
November 19, 2015 at 10:56 AM
I love the imagery you use in this write. all the glory of nature vs asphalt and steam.
Callus Avatar
November 22, 2015 at 1:32 PM
Thank you for the lovely feedback, Nathan. It's a pleasure to have you visiting. // paul
Laurie Avatar
November 18, 2015 at 11:41 PM
I'm not familiar with haibun at all, but since reading a few I find them enjoyable to read, and I certainly found this with yours Paul - Lindsay
Callus Avatar
November 22, 2015 at 1:15 PM
Thank you Lindsay. This is my first attempt; willing to give it another go! Regards // paul
Dietrich Avatar
November 18, 2015 at 8:02 PM
a very reflective one. You did a lovely job of it. This has been such a difficult challenge for me to figure out what to do, Paul. Haibun are sure hard!!
Callus Avatar
November 22, 2015 at 1:14 PM
You like it, Andrea...me pleased:) I think this form offers lots of possibilities, as long as one comes up with the right topic. // paul
Nunez Avatar
November 18, 2015 at 2:49 PM
Poignant with such clarity in expression, Paul. Wisdom and sentimentality captured in one scene - very sharp images here, Paul. All the best! hugs!
Callus Avatar
November 22, 2015 at 12:27 PM
Your lovely and positive critique is appreciated, Kim. Thank you for the visit and support. Hugs // paul
Meade Avatar
November 18, 2015 at 12:13 PM
As seasons change it reminds me of my mortality but also the gift of time to enjoy these sweet moments. You captured the bitter sweet moment with ease and elegance. 7
Callus Avatar
November 21, 2015 at 10:31 AM
Honoured that my poem inspired these lovely comments of yours, David. Thank you for the high rating and an appreciated visit. All the best. // paul
Guillermo - Fraser Avatar
November 18, 2015 at 6:37 AM
Paul, love the way you correlated the characteristic of autumn to the man... =`) descriptive! the title is very apt, its two way in meaning..~Olive Eloisa =`)
Callus Avatar
November 20, 2015 at 4:29 PM
You read the poem well, Olive_eloi! Your support is very encouraging:) Have a lovely weekend! Hugs // paul
Sathasivam Avatar
November 17, 2015 at 6:25 AM
Good bye to Autumn. Excellent write and very touching. Enjoyed reading it. Thanks for sharing it.
Callus Avatar
November 20, 2015 at 4:25 PM
Thank you for stopping to visit, Ravi. Your comments are appreciated. ~ All the best. // paul
Nance Avatar
November 16, 2015 at 5:55 PM
What a great scene you have expressed, an artwork of words, well done!
Callus Avatar
November 20, 2015 at 4:23 PM
You are kind, Casarah:) Love your comments...thank you! ~ Regards // paul
12
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