Photo: David Slotto
Waiting
a Haibun
Anna waited. And waited. Her room, dark except for light seeping through half-drawn blinds, smelled musty, old. Dust motes danced where sun invaded. Aside from that, there was little activity. Even her old cat, Flossie, lay motionless on the rumpled covers of her bed.
They hadn’t called for at least two weeks. No one called or came to visit anymore. She wasn’t sure why she even had a landline, but she wasn’t about to try to figure out those smart gadgets that all the young folk held continuously in their hands, their eyes locked on the screen. No one had the time or patience to teach her all that fancy stuff.
Outside the window she heard birdsong. Even the birds had something to say to each other. Anna pulled herself slowly to her feet and went to fill their feeder. What else would fill the hours?
in spring, finches’ songs
fill the empty hours, the void
without them, nothing
Please join in for dVerse Haibun Monday where we are talking about communication! The link will be open all week! The doors open today at 3:00 PM EDT
Victoria C. Slotto, Author 
Technology has changed how we socialize…and I don’t believe in a good way. My landline rarely rings and most days I question the reason for my cell phone. We can always rely on the song of the birds. I think many could relate to the sentiments of your haibun, so beautifully written.
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Bird songs can cure a solitary heart, & birds can make a good companion sometimes, at least as long as you bring enough food for them. I love the photograph, Victoria! 🙂
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I fill the feeder every morning and it’s empty by ten am. Right now a dove is scavenging the last of it. Make that 2 doves and a sparrow.
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A sad story, too often true.
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My 80+ year old father-in-law is game for an iPhone and gadgets – pretty amazing. My parents never tried and say they don’t care… have not desire to learn. Maybe it’s simpler but I do think it is lonelier – staying in touch with modern technology is amazing – and a miracle compared to back in the day when a wagon and team of horses took you away forever. But at least the birds give her comfort…
Lovely, heart-wringing write – it wasn’t an easy prompt to do! (and thanks for the kind words on my post)
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It’s so sad but I am happy that she fills the bird feeder and she hears the birdsongs ~
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Oh how very sad, Victoria. I’m sure there are so many elderly people like Anna. Your writing is really wonderful.
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This breaks my heart.
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Victoria, I feel the intense sadness in this piece. I think you have given voice to a lot of people who wait for phone calls that never come. The birds, thankfully, are faithful friends.
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The loneliness is sad, but I like the beauty she found in the midst of coping. This was well written and gives good pause to think of others.
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The rumpled bed…….the loneliness is palpable. The constant of nature can be the salve, if only we can see. Beautifully penned.
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She is saved, at least she has Nature to converse with…beautiful…
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Glad she has the finches’ songs. Lovely.
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Nature often fills the void that humans leave. This was sad, but gorgeous.
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This aches with loneliness.
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The world has gotten so gadget oriented that visiting is something that just doesn’t seem to happen anymore. Even though I am just as guilty, I feel this is a loss.
Tim
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Animals can fill a void for companionship…to a point. Excellent haibun!
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So sad, and applicable for so many… I hope I can keep myself updated on gadgets a while more… at least there are always someone to call… Maybe an anonymous Swede would work… 🙂
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For now, I have my un-anonymous Norwegian. :0)
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This is so sad. But thankfully there are the ever-faithful birds.
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