Photo: David Slotto
Yokoburi–Driving Rain
Drizzle could not deter us, remember? We headed out, the second day of golf at Pinehurst, a privilege you had won by completing a survey, something we could never have hoped for on our own. Dew sparkled on the grass and gray squirrels scampered across the fairway. Already exhausted from playing the U.S. Open course the day before, we forged ahead, not worrying too much about our game, rather soaking in the beauty of the September day. Little-by-little, the rain increased in intensity. By hole #11 the skies open in earnest and you pulled the cart over, beneath the trees, waiting for a break in the driving rain that never came. Your last drive had landed in the fairway—a cannon ball. Finally, accepting the whims of weather, I retrieved your ball and, skirting puddles, we splashed our way back to the clubhouse.
beneath tree branches
strong scent of pine refreshes
bathed in loveliness
Kanzen Sakura, Toni, offers us an exquisite prompt for Haibun Monday–sharing the 50 Japanese words for rain. Please visit us at dVerse, learn more about the prompt, and enjoy reading and writing about rain.
Victoria C. Slotto, Author 
Sounds like a refreshing rain delay. Love the scent words!
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A lovely way to record a special memory.
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I can smell the wet pine needles! Delightful, Victoria!
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What a shame Victoria! Playing at Pinehurst and the weather so unforgiving. It was still a wise thing to do as lightning strikes could cause more serious damage!
Hank
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Victoria, you write the game-stopping rain into unexpected beauty instead of disappointment 🙂
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What an incredible gift to be able to play at Pinehurst. Love the photo, Victoria…that is you down there isn’t it? When I played in a golf league, we started our game of nine holes late in the afternoon and many times we would be sidelined by lightning. Light rain we could have handled but not lightning bolts!
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Lovely haiku
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Makes me want to take up golf!
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I enjoyed the golfing scene and sympathise with the weather interrupting your round.
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A lovely walk interrupted by a little white ball… and tons of rain! A wonderful portrayal, Victoria!
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love how you found the golf analogy in yokoburi – not to mention ‘ soaking in the beauty of the September day’ – clever!
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‘Accepting the whims of weather’! I seem to do that every week! I admire the fortitude of anyone who takes part in sport in the rain. I enjoyed your haibun very much, Victoria.
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The scent of pine permeates right through this lovely memory…
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what a beautiful rainy memory
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I can smell the pine trees…pine trees in the rain is one of the best scents on the planet, for me. 🙂
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Wow Victoria but I could see you out there splashing through the puddles. Delightful representation of rain, loved it….
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The whims of nature is unpredictable but we follow her warnings don’t we. Love the story and scent of refreshing pines Victoria.
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What a lovely memory to share. And the scent of the pines in the rain – I can smell it from here.
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What a fun memory! It reminded me of the time we were at Universal Studios in Florida and when it began to rain everyone went inside, but we Oregonians stuck it out and went on rides with no lines, until finally the downpour was too intense. (Now that I think about it, I might have to write another haibun about that rain.)
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Love the haiku, very evocative
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iN a decision to Golf or Bowl
iN Summer lonGest days
oF Florida water
heat.. iT never
rains on BowLinG
Lanes.. i managed
thaT in ways of Athletic
Director.. but i never played..
i just rained and rained until
i rained out
of rain..
and
almost
drOwNeD..
Smiles.. WitH
DancE NoW
i PeN PLay..
But no..
StiLL no GolF or BowLinG iN
teN or elEven pIn pAr waY..:)
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I do admire golfers who brave the elements – I imagine that courses do get wind-whipped and rain-lashed, because they are so open and with little shelter. I’ve seen golfers in Scotland playing on links courses and can’t quite imagine doing it myself! Ah, but the smell of pine… that coudl be reward for me!
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I love this! Pinehurst is close to my old home stomping grounds. And the smell of pines in the rain is truly wonderful. Green, resinous, and spicy. I miss those pines. Thank you for this exquisite haibun and the haiku that takes me back home..
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I do love the story in itself, to have a privilege of playing be quenched by such rain, but gaining the experience of accepting the whims of the weather. I do love the scent of pines… rain often makes scent so much richer.
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