Haibun 俳文 [Diary of a Madman]

Does this post constitute a Haibun? Who knows? Who cares? At any rate, the following seven Haikus (they are Haikus because I say they are) form an account of my thoughts and experiences during a holiday over the following days in the year 2026, and written whilst there, using a real pen and paper. Incidentally, are our school children still taught the skills necessary to the use of such implements?

Monday 27th July (Travelling),

Tuesday 28th July (Being There),

Wednesday 29th July (Atonement)

Thursday 30th July (Levens Hall)

Friday 31st July (Fish Versus Rats)

Saturday 1st August (News Headline)

Sunday 2nd August (Return)

The phrase “Haunted Fish Tank” is a colloquialism, refering to the phenomenon of having a television in one’s living room, which I liken to the presence of a real fish tank, a small aquarium, one of which I had many years ago, its occupants being at least living, and some claim, sentient creatures.

I now regard mobile phone screens, PCs, laptops etc. as belonging to the category of Haunted Fish Tank: being click-baiting, mind-sapping, pap-exuding devices, which I would do well to avoid as much as possible in the interests of both my mental and physical health!

Motorway madness;

refugee seeks nature’s arms;

blessèd Silverdale!

*

Hawes Water’s a “lake”;

ecologists say, a “pond”,

a wildlife haven!

*

Day of at-one-ment.

Walked hand in hand with Gaia

in Summer’s glory.

*

Beautiful gardens!

looking closely at nature,

I see few straight lines.

*

Equilibrium!

Five days, haunted fish tank free;

the rat-race called off.

*

Horse flies. Ouch, that hurt!

“Honest politician found”.

Pig flies. Stung again!

*

There’s no place like home;

I’ll fight insanity in

my small flower patch!

*

Le Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh,

Déardaoin, an séú lá de mhí Lúnasa,

2026, an bhliain dhá mhíle is fiche a sé.