Yard Sale of Thoughts

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No Reflection

Katie Frances Hartless
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Wet clothes tumble in the wash like hooves of unridden horses galloping around a circular pen. The dishwasher downpours gurgling through the pipes in guttural surrender to its nightly chore, and I am pressing down the keys in new patterns creating constellations with words. These are the meager moments a mother owns for free during lockdown. The dusk tucks the little ones in, then the red wine sips begin punctuated between key skips, a glide forwards and backwards on the obsidian stepping stones of my dream, which tonight is a silvery lake that offers no reflection.

Indoor lights spotlight
swept floors, dusted dreams and
mom’s messy key spills.

Frank is the host for d’Verse’s Haibun Monday tasking us to write a poem capturing the present moment. Join us.

Cover Art: Efi Chalikopoulou

35 responses to “No Reflection”

  1. Photography314 Avatar
    Photography314

    This is a cool post. I line the line “between key skips, a glide forwards and backwards on the obsidian stepping stones”. Great visualization and well penned.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. K.Hartless Avatar
      K.Hartless

      Thank you very much. I like the stepping stone idea as well. Could be a cool photo idea this silver lake?

      Like

      Reply
  2. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) Avatar
    Björn Rudberg (brudberg)

    I can really feel how the moment has become more intense during lockdown… the prose is magnificent… a poem born from keyboard dancing.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. K.Hartless Avatar
      K.Hartless

      Thanks, Björn. The aching does seem to be intensifying now as we all struggle against some much togetherness. Appreciate your kind comments.

      Like

      Reply
  3. Gillena Cox Avatar
    Gillena Cox

    Fantastic haibun
    “creating constellations with words” (my favorite image)

    Happy Monday
    Much💛love

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. K.Hartless Avatar
      K.Hartless

      Thank you very much, Gillena. Your words uplift me. 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  4. Mister Bump UK Avatar
    Mister Bump UK

    Oh, man, you should do something about that dream. Is there nothing else you can dream about?

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. K.Hartless Avatar
      K.Hartless

      Nope, I need to find more inspiration, I think. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  5. johnlmalone Avatar
    johnlmalone

    a rich harvest of words and images here; playful and whimsical; I like ‘the obsidian stepping stones of dreams’ and I’m glad you found a spot for the red wine: one must always find a spot for that 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. K.Hartless Avatar
      K.Hartless

      A long day always deserves a velvety red finish line. Thank you, John. Cheers!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  6. Beverly Crawford Avatar
    Beverly Crawford

    “Constellations of words” …. great word picture! A busy mom’s lament well pictured.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. K.Hartless Avatar
      K.Hartless

      Thank you, Beverly. There’s nothing else I’d rather be doing, and so it feels fulfilling being a mom every day and writing every night.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  7. ben Alexander Avatar
    ben Alexander

    KH, I just love your writing.

    Thank you!

    -David

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. K.Hartless Avatar
      K.Hartless

      Thanks, David. Very kind words. I appreciate them.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  8. msjadeli Avatar
    msjadeli

    I like how it goes from noisy and chaotic to quiet and peaceful.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. K.Hartless Avatar
      K.Hartless

      Thank you, Lisa. There has been a lot of noise here lately with schools closed due to COVID and the kids trying to learn remotely. The nights are blissfully quiet, minus the helpful machinery.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. msjadeli Avatar
        msjadeli

        You’re very welcome, K.

        Liked by 1 person

  9. Lucy Avatar
    Lucy

    Such immersing imagery!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. K.Hartless Avatar
      K.Hartless

      Thank you kindly, Lucy.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  10. kim881 Avatar
    kim881

    I like the slow calming, from the noisy, busy washing machine and dishwasher, the keys ‘’creating constellations with words’ to settling into the dusk tucking the little ones in, and the glide ‘on the obsidian stepping stones’ of a dream. A busy day done and dusted.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. K.Hartless Avatar
      K.Hartless

      Thank you, Kim, for the thoughtful comments. I’m happy with everything that gets accomplished each day and having just a little left over to give to my passions.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  11. Hobbo Avatar
    Hobbo

    The imagery of that first sentence is so powerful. It could have been a line in Lucy in the sky with diamonds! Brilliant!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. K.Hartless Avatar
      K.Hartless

      Thanks, Hobbo. That’s a huge compliment, and I’ll see if Mr.Bump can let his Beatle’s connection know they may have a new lyric to add. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Hobbo Avatar
        Hobbo

        Great idea!

        Liked by 1 person

  12. Darius the Mate Avatar
    Darius the Mate

    Phenomenal images conjured so poetically… and that’s before the poem! Colourful wordplay. Loved it.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. K.Hartless Avatar
      K.Hartless

      Thank you very much. It was good for me taking in the moment. I’m usually drifting in some fiction or other.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  13. Misky Avatar
    Misky

    There’s a magical moment when you tuck your children into bed, and then the house goes quiet. It’s open to all sorts of possibilities. I love your haibun; it’s warm, loving, and true.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. K.Hartless Avatar
      K.Hartless

      Thank you very much, Misky. If felt good to be in the moment, actually reminded me that sometimes it’s okay to just be.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  14. Dale Avatar
    Dale

    This is wonderful because I could hear all those exact same sounds and feel that delicious red wine slide down my throat as that moment of bliss that is ours alone is felt.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. K.Hartless Avatar
      K.Hartless

      Thank you very much, Dale. They day’s race won. Victory feels best when shared. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Dale Avatar
        Dale

        I could not agree more!

        Liked by 1 person

  15. Helen Dehner Avatar
    Helen Dehner

    An exquisite haibun …….

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. K.Hartless Avatar
      K.Hartless

      Thank you, Helen. 😀

      Like

      Reply
  16. Ali Grimshaw Avatar
    Ali Grimshaw

    Your word choice is marvelous.
    You had my attention from the first line, “Wet clothes tumble in the wash like hooves of unridden horses galloping around a circular pen.”
    I can’t imagine the challenges of being a parent during this pandemic. My heart goes out to you.
    Keep on writing and sharing your voice.
    Ali

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. K.Hartless Avatar
      K.Hartless

      Thank you very much, Ali. This has been an extremely difficult period, but I am. It giving up or in. I really appreciate a you reading and commenting to 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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