A girl –
Her words prick like thorn
vulnerable liquid eyes deny
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Ligo Haibun Challenge
Quotes Week
“Wise men talk about ideas, intellectuals about facts, and the ordinary man talks about what he eats.”
I stroll to the food court, listening to the stall owner gossiping about anybody who could not hear him. I smile, knowing that he would gossip about me after I walk away. He tells off everybody, but takes less money and always serves more than what they demand. The street dog enters the food court and barks non-stop. He throws some food at it, while berating the non-paying ‘customer’. The dog, understanding nothing, wags his tail humbly.
Stray intruders fly away
as lame words
fall on deaf ears
This was written for the Ligo Haibun Challenge. Thank you, Pirate and Esenga, for the opportunity.
Alastair’s Photo Fiction – Mary’s Gift
This was the cheapest ornament he could find in the gift shop. However, it glittered and looked huge. So, Larry took it home. Mary looked at the ornament with shining eyes. She dangled it lovingly on the Christmas tree.
Everyday she went over to the living room to check if her precious glittering ball was still there. She touched it and even kissed it when she thought no one was looking. Larry noticed everything and felt envious of the ornament. He started buying expensive designer ornaments for the tree. Larry even went around decorating the house with lights and got a new Christmas tree. He decorated the tree with all ornaments, except the cheap ornament. Next day, he found it in a prominent place on the tree.
Exasperated, he unfastened the ornament from the tree and tossed it away. Mary picked it up from the rubble, “This is the first thing you bought for me in the 25 years of our life together. I would never throw it away.”
This was written for Alastair’s Photo Fiction.
Ligo Haibun Challenge – Illusion
I looked at the vast beach below. Sparkling in green, the water took in the joy of the land, reflecting the crowd of happy faces. Children ran with balloons, anxious mothers watched them while quiet toddlers built castles in the sand. Lovers sat behind trees, gazing into the each other’s eyes, the music of sea between them. The waves watched everything and glistened with their happiness.
I looked at the green walls in my well-furnished office and shuddered at the barren land below. My colleague typed away in his mechanical style, oblivious to the maddening silence.
Thriving and well-fed
yet bound in a narrow space
fish in Aquarium
Written for the Ligo Haibun Challenge. Pirate and Penny are the other hosts of this challenge. Do share your own haibun with us and enjoy the contribution by other writers.
Alastair’s Photo Fiction – Lovers and the Cop
Sameer leaned over Sapna, whispering something. She giggled.
“Hello! “said a soft voice.
They both turned back, startled. It was a policeman, standing near a chopped tree.
“This is a public park for kids. Can you go elsewhere?”
Sameer and Sapna sat in the beach, conversing in hushed voices.
“Hello!” said a loud voice. It was the same policeman. “This is a beach for families and the elderly. Can you take this elsewhere?”
Now, Sapna and Sameer stood outside the latter’s apartment, talking.
“Hello!” They both turned to him, exasperated. “This is a dangerous time. There are thieves on the prowl..’
They both went their separate ways, wondering if he was an apparition sent by fate to separate them.
The policeman, a bachelor, went to his empty house wondering if the omnipresent couple were sent by fate to mock his loneliness.
Written for Alastair’s Photo Fiction
Stars – Perceptions
Counting the stars are two;
the eager innocent child
and the frustrated watchman
Pat & Macy – Alastair’s Photo Fiction
The following short story was written for Alastair’s photo fiction.
Pat and Macy sat at the dining table, looking bitterly at each other. Then Pat lowered his eyes to his plate, stuffing it with food, barely looking up. This was their last night together. Their divorce would come through the next day. Macy’s eyes brimmed with tears as she reached for the juice. Losing one child after another, all those years of petty quarrel, misunderstandings – all of them were coming to an end. Why did she feel so terrible then?
Suddenly, the power went off. Macy sighed and went inside for candles while Pat searched for his torch. Pat had just located his torch when Macy screamed. Pat panicked and ran to the living room. The lit candle had fallen to the floor, mercifully just brushing Macy’s dress.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“Yes” she replied, shaken.
In the torchlight, he saw the woman he had met and fallen in love with fifteen years ago. He had even forgotten what his wife really looked like. As Macy blinked back tears, she realized that they were holding hands.
