Wanderer [life quest]

Japanese Haibun

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WANDERER. . . . 

   Mystically summoned journey….splayed paths stretching infinitely t’ward realms yet dreamt - each beguiled stride enchanted forth. I, a mere wisp of light ushering kismet’s randomly chosen course far into its enigmatic span.

   Somewhere between birth and enlightenment, languid breaths of weariness spread comfort’s shawl o’er a sleepy traveler’s head, laid ’pon soft mossy earth, fading to slumber’s gentle reverie, “Oh, moon above, holding hands with fulsome starry orbs’ pulsating glints, what secret destination awaits this humble wanderer’s fate?”

   As though life, itself, had heard a plaintive plea, “Ask not what lies ahead, nor hold concern in that which one cannot know … for, is it not life’s mysteries that gift all hopeful wonderment its ever luring thrill to seek and find?”

    Dawn’s first kiss….departure!

migrant cherry seeds

earthbound roots meander deep

lush cardinal spheres

rwjenkins

©2023

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Author's Note

Artwork: Pinterest © Free Images

Please, make any well-meant critique you think will improve this piece and better my skills. ✍🏼
Thank you for reading.

Reviews

[Shelley Warner]

This is a wise and thoughful poem. I tend to look to the future and wonder how certain things will work out. Then I remind myself to enjoy the present. I appreciate this words:
“Ask not what lies ahead, nor hold concern in that which one cannot know … for, is it not life’s mysteries that gift all hopeful wonderment its ever luring thrill to seek and find?”

[Richard🖌]

Hi, Shelley,

How very nice to find you here reading and reviewing one of my humble little pieces.
Yes, life and the future are a great mystery that keeps us interested and filled with hope.

You're selected my favorite lines to highlight. : )
Many blessings and happy days ahead for you, Dear Poetess! ⁓ Richard

[Susan 🦋]

Life is such a beautiful mystery! Each morning a new adventure (if we choose) Our world, we share, is broken. Yet, we don't need to be. As long as we can hang onto a bit of hope, "kismet’s randomly chosen course" may just turn into a blessing. Of course, nothing is that easy, but those who keep such wonderment and hope alive within... just may find it. Lovely! Beautiful words to ponder this Friday morning.

[Richard🖌]

A most beautiful Friday AND Sunday morning to you, M'Lady Susan 🌼🐝

Your sentiments on present and future life gift a great sense of hopeful promise, as your fine words of wisdom teach us how best to look forward with highest dreams toward favorable expectation.

Thank you most warmly and gratefully for your graciously appreciated compliment.
Happy Spring! ⁓ Richard🌿

[Charlotte Flores]

Your haiku is a beautiful and fitting response to the mystical and enchanting tone of the original poem. The imagery of the "migrant cherry seeds" and their "earthbound roots" that "meander deep" evokes a sense of wandering and journeying, as if the seeds are on their own path of discovery. The "lush cardinal spheres" add a burst of color and life to the scene, like the vibrant and mysterious destinations that the wanderer in the original poem may encounter. Overall, your haiku adds a lovely layer of nature-inspired imagery to the theme of exploration and the unknown. Well done!

[Richard🖌]

G'Day, Charlotte 🥀

Your take on this traditional Japanese form's poem inspires and gratifies an olde bard's efforts to write for and share with those who might best grasp and enjoy them … which, by virtue of your keen comments, you most definitely have.

May the unknown bring us pleasures and enlightenment ne'er heretofore known 🙏
Thank you, Charlotte ⁓ Richard

[Lisasview]

Hi Richard,
What is important is today... and what we do with it.
Your beautiful poem expresses those feeling so well.
Everyday is a mystery ~ that unfolds as we go through it.
I often find it hard to fall asleep because I can not wait to see what the next day will bring.
Loved it..
Lisa
P.S. Just posted my first Rhyming Cameo... you might enjoy it...

[Richard🖌]

Greetings, Lisa 🌺

Thank you for reading this unique Japanese form commenting on it with such wisdom and favor, and for loving it, especially.
Read and reviewed your very 1st Cameo … how delightful well done it is, too.

Bless you a most wonderful Sunday! ⁓ Richard

[William Michael Reeves]

You are the light! Much more than a wandering wisp when you kiss the day and chase the moon away. Your fate? To face another night.

I like how light imparts wisdom in your haibun. Light is the wanderer and life is the traveler? That's how I'm reading this. Migrating seeds must be why there are Cherry trees everywhere. Fortunately for us.

[Richard🖌]

Good Saturday morn, William 🌤️

Yes, another breath, another day, another opportunity to live and learn, to wander the esoteric realms of life's mysteries.
Will it be a new poem, a new story, and olde memory, or something completely unexpected to bring fear, happiness, reward, or toil(?) … we can prepare but never really know what lies beyond the moment.
I like your analogy of light and life, as I do the thought of cherry trees spread far and wide.

Thank you most gratefully for sharing my humble Haibun! ⁓ Richard🖌