Still I Go
First published in Bacopa Literary Review 2019, pages 16–17. The same issue also includes the sequences “Haiku Lessons” and “Shēngxiào.” Originally written in February and March of 2016. See also “Three Haiku Sequences,” with my commentary on this sequence that also appeared as a guest posting on 15 January 2020 on the Bacopa Literary Review Editors’ Blog. This sequence also appeared in 35 Tips for Writing Your Memoir in Short Stories by Kaye Linden (n.p.: 2022, pages 8–9). See also my haibun, “Rebirth.” +
first plum blossoms—
I leave early
for the orthopedist
hints of spring . . .
at the open mike I read
a hip-hop haiku
viewing the blossoms
at the college quad—
I raise a crutch
foot surgery—
the terminal cancer patient wishes me
a speedy recovery
hospital waiting room—
too much laughter
from the other end
surgery day—
counting down
for the anesthetist
I don’t even get
to one
winter afternoon—
the list of pain meds
scarier than the surgery
spring rain—
the chafing
of my crutches
apple sauce
with pain meds . . .
high wind warning
on crutches—
still I go
to see the cherry blossoms
My “Still I Go” sequence also appeared in this 2022 book by Kaye Linden, 35 Tips for Writing Your Memoir in Short Stories, available on Amazon.