Oh, please visit dVerse for today’s exquisite Haibun prompt, offered by Toni (Kanzen Sakura). This will be your last chance to enjoy her hosting for a while as life invites her to take a break. Life does not let us escape CHANGE, does it!
Photo: Victoria Slotto
(De)composition
At night the temperatures fall into the upper 30’s or lower 40’s. Here and there I spot a tree that’s gilded gold or swathed in vermillion glory. In my mirror, however, autumn cedes way to early winter. Youthful energy wanes. Skin bears etchings, scars that remind of the battles of life, survived. But spirit-youth prevails, fills the heart with joy, a heart that soars at the sight of her loved ones, rejoices in the presence of friends, tastes the Divine. As winter slowly invades, it brings change. Life, like the bare branches of trees, becomes simple. Above ground, much of the goings-on, the life-surges, may not be at all apparent to others. But growth flourishes, deep within. Wabi-sabi.
branches appear dead
root tendrils stretch out, nourish
into fertile soil
Victoria C. Slotto, Author 
Amen! My thoughts also ran along the line of comparing change in the season to change in myself.
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Youthful energy wanes.
Skin bears etchings,
scars that remind of the battles of life
That is how the maturity of Autumn declines towards the aging coldness of winter. Great lines Victoria!
Hank
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How can I not love a poem with my name in the title, in parentheses? 😉
Also, wabi sabi is my new favorite concept, ever. You’ve done it great beauty here.
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A beautiful reflection of time, life and simplicity. We continue to grow with and despite the seasons. I love the contrasts within your title and the ending of “Wabi Sabi”.
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Beautifully writ. Oh how I love the juxtapositioning of looking out the window to see autumn and winter and then seeing the seasons age within the mirror. Rejuvenatement reigns. You go girl!
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Victoria….this is so evocative of all of us who age. The mirror, the contemplative thoughts, the beauty of your style. I loved every word of it. And I saw my own ‘progression’ in your haibun.
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This is absolutely gorgeous writing, Victoria 💖💖 Love how you compare the journey of life with that of the changing seasons.. especially ‘Life, like the bare branches of trees, becomes simple.’ Sigh..beautifully executed 💖💖
Lots of love,
Sanaa
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I find these words intriguing: ‘Skin bears etchings, scars that remind of the battles of life, survived.’ And your haiku is stunning!
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I love the back of forth in this, that sense of being on a precipice… The whiffs of winter, yet we stand there on the edge feeling young. So lovely
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Oh, this is so beautiful Victoria. I love the comparison with aging to the season of autumn. This is wonderful…the joy of youth still shining forth. I so enjoy the simplicity of bare limbs and simplicity, the joy of seeing those you love. I love every word of this. The haiku is marvelous. Thank you for this beautiful write.
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I love how that spirit-youth prevails and: rejoices in the presence of friends, tastes the Divine. Deep within, hope prevails and new life awaits.
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This decomposition brings a contemplative feel. I guess that’s the trait of the season. Beautiful write, Victoria.
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The change of seasons can harsh yet beautiful. Without the death of once living greenery there would be nothing to feed the spring.
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“Life, like the bare branches of trees, becomes simple”. So beautiful. Such truth.
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Those changes of season are so dramatic in your area. A lovely write, Victoria, which reminded me of a visit to your area many years ago.
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