Blackbird

My father was a musician, with a beautiful tenor voice. As we seven siblings witnessed his coffin being lowered into that cold earth, a blackbird sang his heart out on the church steeple. his pure spirit rose on the softest summer breeze blackbird into thee

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Kim Rodrigues

Date: 8/14/2020 1:16:00 PM

Congratulations, Jean!

Jean Murray
Date: 8/14/2020 2:17:00 PM

Thank you Kim.

Aditi Mishra

Date: 8/13/2020 6:02:00 PM

This is so tender, deeply moving and beautiful at the same time Jean. The blackbird reference is such a subtle portrayal of the gloom and emotions. Congratulations on your win! :)

Jean Murray
Date: 8/13/2020 11:50:00 PM

Thank you Aditi. We seven siblings started competing with the blackbird by singing one of his favourites as his coffin was lowered into the earth....When The Saints Go Marching In.

Jan Allison

Date: 8/13/2020 10:26:00 AM

dropping back with my congrats Jean:-) hugs Jan xx

Jean Murray
Date: 8/13/2020 10:27:00 AM

Hi Jan. Thank you. Always so nice to see you.

Paul Callus

Date: 8/13/2020 9:22:00 AM

Such a beautiful 'blackbird' rendition, Jean! I'm touched...Congratulations on your podium finish! Regards // paul

Jean Murray
Date: 8/13/2020 10:14:00 AM

Thank you so much Paul. I have lost all self confidance in my muse this past while. This placement is a real boost.

Hilo Poet

Date: 8/19/2019 2:39:00 AM

That is so lovingly beautiful, wished I saw that too, very touching indeed and a wonderful tribute ~ Aloha William

Jean Murray
Date: 8/19/2019 3:23:00 AM

Aloha William. He is dead 23 years now and I still sometimes cry when I remember him. We shared a wicked wit.

Susan Ashley

Date: 8/2/2019 2:24:00 PM

Jean, I am in awe of the reverent love and beauty of your tender haibun. Each haiku is filled with emotional grace. Exquisite and moving poetry and a fav! Congratulations on your excellent win.. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan

Susan Ashley
Date: 8/2/2019 3:31:00 PM

Indeed, you should write more often, your poetry is inspiring and you are a gifted poetess, my friend :)

Jean Murray
Date: 8/2/2019 2:45:00 PM

Such praise makes me feel guilty I do not write more often Susan. It's a shame not to use the gifts we have been given. As always, you spurn me on to greater things. Thank you.

Charles Messina

Date: 8/2/2019 6:08:00 AM

Beautiful Jean. I am also one of seven siblings. Nice tribute to your dad. Congratulations on your 1st place win. Hugs Charlie

Jean Murray
Date: 8/2/2019 11:47:00 AM

Thank you Charlie. I hug you back!

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 8/1/2019 3:39:00 PM

A beauty, Jean! God is good like that in such a poignant moment. Congratulations! Hugs :)

Jean Murray
Date: 8/1/2019 4:48:00 PM

Wow Kim, so rare for me to get such a high placement. Thank you for your comment. I would not know otherwise.

Susan Gentry

Date: 7/7/2018 10:01:00 AM

Congratulations on your win. Such s beautifully written, even though sad, story. Well done!

Jean Murray
Date: 7/7/2018 10:12:00 AM

I miss him still Susan, and his knowing me like no one else ever will.

Mick Talbot

Date: 7/5/2018 10:36:00 AM

Dear Jean, If this is true then please do accept my belated condolences. Either way, a sad haibun, beautifully written. Had it not been for no kigo in the haiku, and it not being able to stand alone, you would have been joining the top winners, as is my congratulations Jean, for your 2nd place, plus my thanks for participating, MicK

Jean Murray
Date: 7/5/2018 11:59:00 AM

My Daddy died when my baby was six weeks old Mick. She is twenty two now. Thank you for your kind words and placement.

Mick Talbot

Date: 7/5/2018 10:24:00 AM

Truth, then please accept my condolences, either way, a haibun recording a sad event beautifully. Unfortunately, no kigo in the haiku, and the fact it could not stand alone lost it a few points. However, Jean a podium finish, for which I offer you my sincere congratulations. Mick

Darlene De Beaulieu

Date: 10/23/2017 1:09:00 PM

This is a great poem for Halloween. I enjoyed your poem. Jean have a nice day m friend.

Jean Murray
Date: 10/23/2017 2:04:00 PM

Thank you Darlene.

James Inman

Date: 10/21/2017 10:22:00 AM

Sad but beautifully written Jean. A very touching poem.

Jean Murray
Date: 10/22/2017 2:41:00 AM

Thank you James.

Cona Adams

Date: 10/4/2017 7:20:00 AM

Beautiful, Jean. Loved this.

Jean Murray
Date: 10/4/2017 8:38:00 AM

Thank you again for taking the time to comment Cona.

Darren White

Date: 9/27/2017 5:17:00 AM

Oh Jean, this tug at my heart strings. It's simply beautiful.

Jean Murray
Date: 9/27/2017 2:49:00 PM

Hi Darren. I'm really proud of this one thanks to the help and encouragement I received. I'm glad you like it. Thank you for your visit. Hugs.

Lim'Rik Flats

Date: 9/25/2017 8:43:00 AM

Oh my... three WOWSAS! (Me being speechless and stumbling for expressions of high praise). As a closet haibun fan, I rate this VERY high. Please... sing on! hugtweeties ~ j

Jean Murray
Date: 9/25/2017 12:43:00 PM

John, your wonderful praise reassures me that I am on the right track. Thank you.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 9/24/2017 8:22:00 PM

Jean, I am glad I saw this one today. I had a similar experience at my brother's grave site , but it was a small family of deer there. The way you expressed your feelings through the song of the blackbird is amazing.

Jean Murray
Date: 9/25/2017 1:55:00 AM

Morning Andrea. That's a lovely story. Intuition is amazing.

Eve Roper

Date: 9/23/2017 11:33:00 PM

A great tribute to your dad it is so nicely done, Jean. I see you took Jack Webster's advice and wrote a poem of your dad's funeral.. perfect for your bio... Hugs Eve

Jean Murray
Date: 9/24/2017 1:23:00 AM

So nice of him to make the suggestion. And so nice to have your support of my efforts Eve.

Jack Webster

Date: 9/21/2017 2:35:00 PM

So lovely, Jean! Thank you so much for sharing this touching memory.

Jean Murray
Date: 9/21/2017 2:51:00 PM

The pleasure was all mine Jack.

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 9/21/2017 1:00:00 PM

- A beautiful poem ... lovely memories of your life, Jean :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Jean Murray
Date: 9/21/2017 2:04:00 PM

You Are My Sunshine was another favourite of his Anna-Lise. I think that is one of the reasons I always smile when I see your lovely visits to me. Thank you as always.

Probir Gupta

Date: 9/21/2017 12:36:00 PM

Touching and beautiful ...

Jean Murray
Date: 9/21/2017 2:02:00 PM

Thank you Probir. I still miss laughing at life with him.

Vijay Pandit

Date: 9/21/2017 11:57:00 AM

A lovely tribute to Dad!

Jean Murray
Date: 9/21/2017 2:02:00 PM

Thank you Vijay. We had a special bond as we were each equally weird.

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib

Date: 9/21/2017 11:20:00 AM

Wonderful :) xomo

Jean Murray
Date: 9/21/2017 11:30:00 AM

Thank you Maureen.

Jan Allison

Date: 9/21/2017 9:44:00 AM

aww jean now need to thank me!! it is absolutely beautiful and so touching and I am adding it to my faves:-) hugs jan xx

Jan Allison
Date: 9/27/2017 2:52:00 PM

Jean we now both have poetic wings and will always fly high together - I will always try and support and help but I'm not one to critique as it can knock your confidence and the critiques aren't always right as its just one person's opinion:-( hugs jan xx

Jean Murray
Date: 9/21/2017 10:18:00 AM

It is a pleasure to repeat again how grateful I am for your support of my poetry right from day one Jan. I'm still a little chick in the nest, so don't make me fly alone just yet.