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Prickly Pears

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Clustered cactus trees sprawling, reclining in the summer heat
where agile pollinators dart among gorgeous silky blooms.
Day by day the prickly pear fruit swell and mature.
Already the mind conjures visions of red,
magenta, pink, yellow and white.

thriving on spring rain
deep-rooted fantasy
mellifluent desires

Experience has shown that the best time to pick prickly pears
is early morning before the sun’s rays become too hot.
A steady half turn with thumb and forefinger
gently releases the ripened fruit.
The bucket soon fills up.

dewy prickly pears
at break of day
impotent thorns

Rinsed under running water, the fruit waits to be disrobed.
Both ends of each fruit are cut off with a sharp knife,
followed by a long vertical slice along its body.
The thick skin is then peeled back, the
fleshy coloured fruit revealed.

prickly pears
in a glass bowl
naked temptation

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  
Contest: “Haibun”
Sponsor: Cecelia Hopkins-Drewer
©17th July, 2017

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Susan Ashley

Date: 12/10/2017 8:22:00 PM

Paul, your write is alluring and delectable and the imagery is tempting and delicious. I so enjoyed your poetic tutorial on prickly pears :) A sensual poem, your Haiku are resplendent and your Haibun is completely superb and scrumptious my sweet friend. Warmest wishes ~Susan

Paul Callus
Date: 12/11/2017 10:04:00 AM

I am pleased that you enjoyed this haibun, Susan. The prose part is the least difficult part, while the haiku require deeper thinking. Thank you for reading and dissecting:) Prickly pears are common in Malta and their fruit is tasty; drinks are made from it too. ~ Warm regards // paul

Tahira Parveen

Date: 8/24/2017 3:13:00 PM

Your poem captivates my imagination. I can almost taste the sweet ripe fruits in the pictures. Well done Paul:-)

Paul Callus
Date: 8/24/2017 3:59:00 PM

Thank you, Tahira. I'm glad you found this to your liking:) Regards // paul

Lynn Marie

Date: 8/21/2017 6:31:00 PM

Gorgeous imagery, your words are enchanting and informative in a sensual way which showcases this lovely fruit. This is a wonderful form and your poem suits it beautifully Paul. A delightful read:)

Paul Callus
Date: 8/22/2017 9:36:00 AM

Thank you so very much, Lynn! Your lovely feedback is always insightful and encouraging...one of the best critics on the site:) Regards // paul

Maurice Rigoler

Date: 8/13/2017 9:47:00 AM

Thank you, Paul, for your generous compliment on my pear poem. I've yet to come up with words adequate for this most horrible of crimes. It took me years to taste a prickly pear, but when I did I realized I had missed out on years of a delicious fruit – tastes like blueberries ane watermelon to me. Best to you. / M

Paul Callus
Date: 8/13/2017 10:16:00 AM

Thank you for stopping by, Maurice. At present prickly pears are in season, and this morning I was gifted with a full bowl of red & yellow ones, ready skinned! Regards // paul

Afzal Nusker

Date: 7/31/2017 11:22:00 PM

I didn't know this fruit until now. Looks and sounds delicious as mentioned in this fine poem.

Paul Callus
Date: 8/5/2017 10:23:00 AM

This fruit is delicious, Afzal, so is the drink made out of it! Thank you for stopping by. Regards // paul

John Michaels

Date: 7/27/2017 4:40:00 PM

Woah! Some great imagery in this one, Paul. And another intriguing new form... you've done a sterling job here! Best of luck with the contest. Regards, John.

Paul Callus
Date: 7/28/2017 10:44:00 AM

Pleased you like it, John. Thank you for stopping by. Regards // paul

Nette Onclaud

Date: 7/26/2017 1:01:00 AM

enjoyed the art of poetic detail, paul... the last 'ku is a real clinch for the pear season.. huggs

Paul Callus
Date: 7/26/2017 11:08:00 AM

Thank you for reading and enjoying, Nette:) Hugs // paul

Afolabi Muideen

Date: 7/25/2017 5:05:00 PM

What an intriguing write. Best of luck within.

Paul Callus
Date: 7/26/2017 11:05:00 AM

Thank you, Afolabi; pleased to see you posting again. Regards // paul

Joanna Daniel

Date: 7/25/2017 8:56:00 AM

Yours is so much more better than mine, Paul, perfect winner:)

Paul Callus
Date: 7/25/2017 1:57:00 PM

Thank you, Jo. I read your entry a couple of days ago...mine isn't better...they're both conspicuous in their originality. Regards // paul

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 7/25/2017 3:18:00 AM

What a great haibun this is Paul! I enjoyed it and especially the fantastic way you ended this! Brilliant my friend! : )

Paul Callus
Date: 7/25/2017 1:44:00 PM

I love your reaction to this haibun, Connie:) I think this is my 3rd poem written in this form. Thank you for your continuing support:) Regards // paul

Pashang Salehi

Date: 7/24/2017 1:28:00 AM

This is really a superb writing. Congratulations is advance....

Paul Callus
Date: 7/24/2017 4:38:00 PM

Thank you for the encouragement, Pashang! Your visit is appreciated. Regards // paul

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 7/23/2017 7:45:00 PM

wow, you made prickly pears SO poetic. Very well done, Paul! Love most of all the ending lines of two of the haiku: mellifluent desires and naked temptation.

Paul Callus
Date: 7/24/2017 11:13:00 AM

Pleased you liked, Andrea. I wanted to try something different...fruit with a sensual touch. Regards // paul

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 7/23/2017 7:43:00 PM

Good to know you are a horror movie fan. Did you watch Bates Motel? It ended very satisfactorily for me. Let me read this new poem now.

Paul Callus
Date: 7/24/2017 11:06:00 AM

The movie Bates Motel is a poor attempt at Psycho; have not had the tv series on my cable provider.

Eve Roper

Date: 7/23/2017 9:08:00 AM

Paul, I love your creation of shape and words. I love the last descriptive haiku. Best of luck in the contest ~*

Paul Callus
Date: 7/25/2017 4:23:00 PM

Glad you found it to your liking, Eve...thank you! Regards // paul

Scott Thirtyseven

Date: 7/21/2017 9:06:00 AM

Oh I do enjoy Haibun, and this one looks amazing, while reading beautifully. You've managed to capture everything. Very nice indeed. I'll tweet when I'm next on. Cheers, mate.

Paul Callus
Date: 7/25/2017 4:57:00 PM

I am glad you enjoyed one of my rare Haibun, Scott....thank you. Looking forward to crossing paths with you again on twitter. Best regards // paul

Maria Williams

Date: 7/21/2017 8:52:00 AM

Great write Paul, Basho would have been proud to display your Halibun among his works. I know that the way you have written it is a Japanese discipline in itself but I would like to be bold enough to say that your piece is a great Haiku within a poem. Oh! and aren't the flowers of the prickly pear cactus beautiful - love the part about the agile pollinators and the naked temptation in the glass bowl. All the best in the contest...Maria xx PS Oh! I must fave this.

Maria Williams
Date: 7/25/2017 8:29:00 PM

Do you write songs as well Paul? Gosh a man of many talents...Maria

Paul Callus
Date: 7/25/2017 4:55:00 PM

I have finally made my way to the contents of your visit, Maria. Proof reading and song writing have limited my free time! Thank you for the lovely complimentary feedback, and the fav is much appreciated, too. Warm regards // paul

Harry Horsman

Date: 7/19/2017 4:47:00 PM

I just love this form Paul, and your poem complements it so well.

Paul Callus
Date: 7/25/2017 4:07:00 PM

I'm so pleased that you like it, Harry...thank you! Regards // paul

M. L. Kiser

Date: 7/18/2017 11:25:00 AM

Excellent imagery, metaphor, etc., flowed well and I can see those cacti brilliant in the sun. A great Haibun.

Paul Callus
Date: 7/25/2017 4:06:00 PM

Thank you for the lovely feedback, ML. Your complimentary remarks fall not on deaf eras:) Regards // paul

Freddie Robinson Jr.

Date: 7/18/2017 9:29:00 AM

A superb halibun poem, Paul. Very deliciously described. Techniques used: enjambment, eh. Okay, lol ... fabulous poem, Love and joy always.

Paul Callus
Date: 7/25/2017 3:50:00 PM

Thank you for the lovely complimentary remarks, Freddie. Always a pleasure to have you visiting. Regards // paul

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 7/18/2017 8:39:00 AM

- I do not know this fruit, Paul - A wonderful poem, really great written - Good luck in the contest - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Paul Callus
Date: 7/25/2017 3:49:00 PM

I doubt if it grows in your country, Anne-Lise! It thrives in warm countries where maturity is reached thanks to the summer heat. Thank you for stopping by. Hugs // paul

Agnes Krampe

Date: 7/17/2017 7:45:00 PM

This is fabulous. Such a unique subject, and tha haibun form fits perfectly.

Paul Callus
Date: 7/25/2017 2:44:00 PM

Thank you very much, Agnes. Finding a 'new' topic to write about is not as easy as one might expect; fortunately memories of my grandfather's farm come in handy! Regards // paul

Akkina Downing

Date: 7/17/2017 7:14:00 PM

Very WOW indeed. Never even knew they produced fruits, let alone have different colors. Beautiful write, Paul, and good luck in the contest :)

Paul Callus
Date: 7/25/2017 2:24:00 PM

Life is a never-ending learning process, Akkina:) Once you taste these fruit you will crave them for ever! Thank you for a truly pleasant visit. Regards // paul