It's as if the clouds that stipple the sky have been flicked across it by a giant paintbrush, spattering them in rows that gradually merge into a splash of light. The sun still hovers just above the horizon, burning white, surrounded by a haze of gold. That will become more definite, and flare up just before dark. The houses are dark already, black outlines of roofs. The tall palms rising over the roofs are black too. This scene could almost be night in the desert. Instead it is my familiar street, made strange by the last burst of light before the dark is complete. Does it matter that only I stand here seeing this? (Seeing it alone, unshared.) No, not any more. I tell it to myself. I show it to myself. Yes, I take a photo; I write about it. But I am the one standing and looking, here and now, in the solid street – before the writing, before the photo. I am the one in my brain, aware of beauty. I am the one behind these gazing eyes. It is good that someone sees. This consciousness is pleased that I, here, now, see.
before dark
a last bird chorus
the sun drops
WoW! What a picture! Thank you for seeing it and writing about it, taking a picture and sharing it. Witness is a great blessing.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I'm glad you feel that. xx
DeleteWhat a lovely scene you have created here. I love the clouds in this, puts me in mind of iwashigumo - sardine or mackerel sky.
ReplyDeleteThank you! And for the sky word.
DeleteSo trUe..
ReplyDeleteiF wE weren'T
heRe.. nOne oF ouRs
eXist.. as this unique
world painted by i.. wE
is only
ever
i's
pAint
BeYond uniQue
oF Finger prints ash..
A UniVerse multi-
iN aLL
oF
hUman
eYes oF sKeYes..
Precious stOnE
oF FeeLinG
Star duST noW..:)
You got it! :)
DeleteYES! I adore this - the Seeing, the cognizance of beatitude, the "one in my brain, aware of beauty". I could feel you, in that moment.
ReplyDeleteWords and photo, both blend wonderfully, capturing a moment in time . Thank you Rosemary.
ReplyDeletewow! Such an exquisite piece of writing.
ReplyDeletesometimes we are the lone onlookers of beauty even in a crowd but we're the blessed ones..ha i used lone onlooker for my poem today...an exquisite piece Rosemary...
ReplyDeleteLove "the giant paintbrush" phrase. It's the perfect way of describing that sky! ♥
ReplyDeleteThis consciousness is pleased that I, here, now, see... love that line!!
ReplyDeleteThe photo does look like a desert night...one could almost expect a camel rider to pop out from behind the palm trees....Lawrence of Murwillumbah ?...nah...just Norm from Nimbin:)
ReplyDeleteWe must be careful in showing how beautiful Australia is as there are enough people here digging holes, chopping trees, fracking rocks and trawling and polluting the oceans and destroying the barrier reef. But not enough people writing beautiful haibun like this one of yours Rosemary.
ReplyDeleteAwww, thank you, Robin! And I agree with you about too many people doing those horrible things.
DeleteAs i read i kept looking back to the image - and trying to see..really see what you saw..and yet as you say the moment, time and place is yours - and that matters a lot..and it was good to share a glimpse
ReplyDeleteThe sun still hovers just above the horizon, burning white, surrounded by a haze of gold. Sigh, you had me hooked right there and then :D gorgeous write ❤️
ReplyDeleteLots of love,
Sanaa
"But I am the one standing and looking, here and now, in the solid street – before the writing, before the photo. I am the one in my brain, aware of beauty. I am the one behind these gazing eyes. It is good that someone sees." Rosemary that is awesome. It struck me to the soul.
ReplyDeleteThere's melody in your words...beautiful images start breathing almost instantly. I love it, Rosemary! GORGEOUS WRITING...
ReplyDeleteSpectacular photo and haibun.
ReplyDeletebeautiful picture ,lovely words
ReplyDeletebefore dark sun 's shiny smile dims and he contracts all its rays from the lovely face of earth
A wonderfully insightful piece, Rosemary. Beautiful blend of prose and verse.
ReplyDelete