Evergreen Refuge

When I was done snipping, the scraggly holly bush beside my house was transformed into a ball gown, smooth and sleek. I carefully trimmed an entrance, then swept away the clippings and laid a fluffy green blanket inside. This was my sanctuary. Prickly protection from everyone and everything on the outside. Hidden by the glossy leaves, I read Pippi Longstocking and The Never Ending Story. Hidden beneath the spines, I scribbled infant poetry. Beneath the bell-shaped beauty, I discovered happiness was a second home where sunlight spotted instead of stung. A place I could be forgotten about and start to do my own forgetting. A sanctuary where I learned to lean on the tasks that shelter my spirit from sadness.

Crossed holly branchlets

Evergreen refuge and truth

The shelter of youth

d’Verse Poet’s Pub: Haibun Monday: Give Me Shelter

49 responses to “Evergreen Refuge”

beth

❤️

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1. K.Hartless
  
  😁
  
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John

❤️☺️

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1. K.Hartless
  
  😁
  
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Nitin Lalit

Absolutely beautiful haibun. I loved the haiku too!

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Lia

I love this, it brings back memories. My sister and I had a hiding spot like this, or rather two, which we furnished with rudimentary objects. Inside a laurel I believe it was. But I love that in your piece it’s holly, and the analogy of the protective prickliness on the outside. It’s beautifully written and so evocative.

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Many thank, Lia. It’s the sort of truth that becomes legend, at least I think. It’s fun to watch my children craft their own escapes.
  
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Carol Congalton

What a lovely shelter, albeit prickly!

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Thank you, Carol. It felt armored really.
  
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jonicaggiano

Oh how gorgeous. I too have a wonderful place to write. It does make a difference. What a beautiful tree too. Big hugs, Joni

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Thank you, Joni. I was quite fond of that retreat. 💜
  
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K.Hartless

😁💜

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abigfatcanofworms

This is beautiful, K. I feel for the little person in this.

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Thank you, worms. I enjoyed the bush and I was always a bit of an odd child, but it really meant that I discovered myself early, at least that’s what I think.
  
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Misky

As a child, I used to find safety under the heavy low bows of a yew tree. You’ve brought a few lovely memories back with your poem.

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Oh wonderful. Those childhood trees were loyal friends, weren’t they? Oh, I wish I still had a prickly bush to go disappear under.
  
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merrildsmith

I think we’re always fortunate if we find such shelters when we need them. I was lucky to have an attic bedroom to myself when I was teen. Beautifully expressed, K.

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Oh, that is lucky. I was roomed with two sisters for most of my childhood. Guess that’s why the bush really came in handy. 😁
  
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rothpoetry

Very nice haibun. I find these bushes are a refuge for birds and on occasion a nest of yellowjackets!

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Oh my. I’m lucky no yellow jackets nested in ours. A magical sort of place. 😁
  
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  1. rothpoetry
    
    Yes you are!
    
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Gillena Cox

A nice snug mood.
Thanks for dropping by to read mine

Much💖love

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Thank you, Gillena. I do wish I could cuddle up under one of them now, and just forget for a few hours. 💜
  
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Tom

Lovely charming story, K!

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Thanks, Tom. Would make a great super hero lair, I imagine. 😁
  
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  1. Tom
    
    Avengers assemble! *waves leafy branch*
    
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  2. K.Hartless
    
    😁🦸‍♀️
    
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Jane Dougherty

Reads almost like a metaphor. Only very close friends would look for you there 🙂

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1. K.Hartless
  
  It’s true. My sisters weren’t allowed in. I didn’t make friends easily as a child. Maybe a bit too prickly like me dear bush.
  
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  1. Jane Dougherty
    
    I’d have thought, especially sisters weren’t allowed in. I can relate to that 🙂
    
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  2. K.Hartless
    
    😁
    
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tiffanyarpdaleo

Love this! I was always building and hiding in forts, lots of hiding.

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Then you understand. In some ways, I still like to hide when a conflict happens.💜
  
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Bill

Excellent. 🙂

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Thank you, Bill! 😁
  
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Björn Rudberg (brudberg)

I remember those shelters of your youth… including those books.

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Yes, well. Prize possessions those stories. And they still are. I keep dreaming of a reading book to call my own. One day it will happen.
  
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Mish

I think we should all have such a place….in childhood and adulthood. Especially drawn to this line…” I discovered happiness was a second home where sunlight spotted instead of stung”.

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1. K.Hartless
  
  😁Thank you, and I agree.
  
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Tricia Sankey

This has all the feels!! Beautiful haibun!

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Thank you, Tricia. 💓
  
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  1. Tricia Sankey
    
    My pleasure! 💮🌷🌸💮
    
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johnlmalone

I love the magic you’ve wrought with these words: your own little hideaway —

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Jeff Flesch

Reads as a gorgeous retreat, with solitude, quiet, and stillness sublime. Lovely write, and poem, K. 💜

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Thank you, Jeff. It was so nice to be able to take all of you to this special place.💜
  
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  1. Jeff Flesch
    
    You’re welcome, K. Always. We were very pleased to follow you there. 💜
    
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ben Alexander

Is this true, KK? Did you really make a little shelter out of a bush for yourself? How old were you then? It sounds divine to me!

~David

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sandyroybessandbugzy

Beautiful K.Hartless. It chimed with me.

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1. K.Hartless
  
  Thank you, Sandy. ✨💜
  
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