Falling (a Haibun)

This morning I attended the Dome Poetry Group’s monthly meeting, and the theme/topic was to present a “Haibun”.
‘Falling’, is the Haibun I wrote for the group to peruse.

Haibun Definition: In a haibun, the prose section provides a descriptive narrative or a personal essay-like passage, while the haiku serves as a brief, poetic moment or reflection that complements the prose. The prose typically describes a scene, a journey, an experience, or a memory in a concise and vivid manner, often incorporating sensory details and emotional insights.




Falling (a Haibun)

On this day 24 years ago. I abruptly awoke. I was struggling to breathe, and my right arm and leg felt strange. I did not know I was having a stroke. I struggled and fell out of bed. My tumble woke my wife, Carole, and I could see the anguish or fear in her eyes. Somehow, I was able to ring “000“, and slur enough information for them to locate me. Fortunately, the ambulance guys knew of Carole’s condition and promptly organized the appropriate health agencies to have her minded and cared for.

Falling (the Haiku)

I stumbled
She cried … don’t fall
Love hurts












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Ivor Steven (c) September 2024

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ivor20

G'day, and welcome to my blog site. My name is Ivor Steven, I live in Geelong, Australia. I'm an ex-industrial chemist, and a retired plumber, and a former Carer of my wife(Carole), for 30 years, who suffered from severe MS. I Write poetry about those personal thoughts, throughout and beyond my life as a Carer. I've been blogging for over 2 years, and writing poems for 19 years. Of course a lot of my poems are about my favourite subject Carole, but since I've been blogging my writings have become quite varied, humourous, mystical, observational, and even a few monster/horror poems.

37 thoughts on “Falling (a Haibun)”

    1. Yes, Robbie… it was a very difficult time for us … Carole was put into respite care … I was in hospital for 3 weeks and then I went through an intensive “rehab in the home program” (3 weeks) until I was well enough to manage/care for Carole … the next 3 months we’re horrendous, until she received a nursing care package from the government to assist us at home … and that is when I started to write… 😊🌏🤗😢📖

      Liked by 2 people

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      2. A poem I wrote about that day ..
        “Who’s Left to Row the Boat”

        The storms are too many to count
        Emotional lows had weathered me out
        Her journey with MS was a struggle
        How much lower could our lives sink
         
        After fourteen years of our battles, I suffered a Stroke
        An ambulance came, my brain was in a boat
        Floating out to sea, overboard and panic-stricken
        I wasn’t swimming, barely awake, and drifting
        I had fallen, nothing was working, and not talking
        She’s crying, I’m sobbing, my heart is dying
        And who’s left to row the boat, I’m thinking
        I was jabbed with a needle and silently sleeping
         
        I awoke a day later, in hospital, feeling wasted
        My face was limp, mouth parched, was that death I tasted
        My mind was active, I thought, where is she
        I knew I was bad; the room was all blurry to me
        Strong anxieties had set in, I needed to know
        Nurses came to me, I pleaded, I wanted to go
        “Help me to see her, just give my bed a tow
        Please let me go, before I’m covered in snow”

        Liked by 1 person

  8. So scary and so traumatizing! For both of you! 😦 😦
    I’m so glad you made it through, Ivor, and are still here impacting the world with such joy, wisdom, inspiration, and kindness!
    (((HUGS))) 💜💜
    PS…that is one of my fave singers and fave songs. ❤️

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Thank you for kind words, Nancy … it’s difficult event to explain … I was very confused at the time … this poem might say how I was feeling …
      Who’s Left to Row the Boat

      The storms are too many to count
      Emotional lows had weathered me out
      Her journey with MS was a struggle
      How much lower could our lives sink
       
      After fourteen years of our battles, I suffered a Stroke
      An ambulance came, my brain was in a boat
      Floating out to sea, overboard and panic-stricken
      I wasn’t swimming, barely awake, and drifting
      I had fallen, nothing was working, and not talking
      She’s crying, I’m sobbing, my heart is dying
      And who’s left to row the boat, I’m thinking
      I was jabbed with a needle and silently sleeping
       
      I awoke a day later, in hospital, feeling wasted
      My face was limp, mouth parched, was that death I tasted
      My mind was active, I thought, where is she
      I knew I was bad; the room was all blurry to me
      Strong anxieties had set in, I needed to know
      Nurses came to me, I pleaded, I wanted to go
      “Help me to see her, just give my bed a tow
      Please let me go, before I’m covered in snow”

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

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