Yard Sale of Thoughts

Paper-Thin

Katie Frances Hartless

Memory is baklava. Layer upon layer of phyllo dough days stuck together. Even the mention of the pastry, and I’m back in that quirky cafe in Old Towne Square, sinking my teeth through a crisp piece. It’s New Year’s Day, and I’m cutting an apple in half, the one that’s supposed to predict my future. The syrupy taste of the pastry with the apple’s flesh, his flesh, the crucifix of seeds. And I remember his laugh: honey, lemon, and cinnamon. But when I blink, I’m back in Virginia, standing at the farmer’s market counter. The lady asks me again, if I’d like a piece of homemade baklava, but I tell her it’s too sweet for me. No, I’ll stick with apples. Besides, I’d given up those sorts of desserts years ago. 

Recall baklava,

my then: tissue-paper thin,

it all falls apart.

©2023 | K. Hartless

dVerse Poet’s Pub | Haibun Monday 5-22-23: Memory

Art Credit: r/Art

38 responses to “Paper-Thin”

  1. Paula Light Avatar
    Paula Light

    This is fabulous! I love the “layers” 🩷

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. K. Hartless Avatar
      K. Hartless

      Thank you, Paula. I really can’t stomach the dessert anymore. But, when I see it, all the memories return.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  2. John Avatar
    John

    Fun and delicious, K! ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. K. Hartless Avatar
      K. Hartless

      Thank you, John. I appreciate your sweet comments. 💜

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. John Avatar
        John

        You’re welcome, K. ☺️

        Liked by 1 person

  3. rothpoetry Avatar
    rothpoetry

    Sweets and Apples… great combination. Sounds delicious! Loved the video.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. K. Hartless Avatar
      K. Hartless

      Thank you, Dwight. This Czech composer always reminds me of Prague.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. rothpoetry Avatar
        rothpoetry

        You are welcome.

        Like

  4. Rosemary Nissen-Wade Avatar
    Rosemary Nissen-Wade

    Delicious! Pun intended of course, but this really is a delectable post in how vividly you bring it all to life, pst and present.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. K. Hartless Avatar
      K. Hartless

      Thank you, Rosemary. I may not eat baklava anymore, but I can still dream about those layers.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  5. kaykuala Avatar
    kaykuala

    Wonderful narrative, KH! Love the combination of sweeties to fruitiness. The sense of freshness is maintained

    Hank

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. K. Hartless Avatar
      K. Hartless

      Thank you, Hank. I appreciate these comments. I’m an apple a day sorta person, and it’s funny, I still sometimes look at the seeds to see if they have some secret fortune to share.

      Like

      Reply
  6. johnlmalone Avatar
    johnlmalone

    sumptuous poem; nice story 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. K. Hartless Avatar
      K. Hartless

      Thank you, John. So many details are fuzzy now. But the baklava. I can still taste that part.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. johnlmalone Avatar
        johnlmalone

        yummmmm

        Like

  7. Gillena Cox Avatar
    Gillena Cox

    Nice one K. There are layers of meaning to this one.

    Happy you dropped by my blog

    Much💖love

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. K. Hartless Avatar
      K. Hartless

      Thank you, Gillena. I’m grateful for you reading my haibun, and your comment. It’s a sticky mess, both memory and love. 💜

      Like

      Reply
  8. yourplateormine967244485 Avatar
    yourplateormine967244485

    Yes, this is very good, I love how it gives me images of delicate pastries and of love/relationships. Ahh, the layers… and the goodness you can take a bite of, but oh, the layers it can add to your mental and physical well being. 🤭✨💖

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. K. Hartless Avatar
      K. Hartless

      Thank you, Pam. Those shared bites. I am content with the memories. 💜

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. yourplateormine967244485 Avatar
        yourplateormine967244485

        Good morning! ☀️
        You are so welcome 🤗

        Like

  9. msjadeli Avatar
    msjadeli

    Relationships and baklava what an apt comparison. I love how you declined it at the market and took fresh apples instead.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. K. Hartless Avatar
      K. Hartless

      Yes, I’ve changed, haven’t I? The natural sweetness of my life. It satisfies me now, more than anything else. Thanks for these comments, Jade.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. msjadeli Avatar
        msjadeli

        For sure and I like how you put it, “the natural sweetness” of your life. You’re very welcome.

        Like

  10. ben Alexander Avatar
    ben Alexander

    tissue-paper thin,
    it all falls apart.

    Genius, KK.

    ❤
    David

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. K. Hartless Avatar
      K. Hartless

      Thank you, David. I think the final product is forgiving, memory and baklava, that is. I appreciate your words, friend. 💜

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  11. kim881 Avatar
    kim881

    A brilliant metaphor: ‘Memory is baklava’, and a wonderful description of it. I used to really enjoy baklava, but it is forbidden now, although I’d give anything for a tiny taste now I’ve read your haibun! I love the way the memory merges with one of a past love in ‘The syrupy taste of the pastry with the apple’s flesh, his flesh, the crucifix of seeds. And I remember his laugh: honey, lemon, and cinnamon’. ‘Then’ is indeed tissue-paper thin.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. K. Hartless Avatar
      K. Hartless

      Yes, your words are so true. Perhaps, the more layers I acquire the easier it is to fall right through them at any time. I catch myself more and more daydreaming about the past. Thanks so much for these thoughtful comments. I’m very grateful for them.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. kim881 Avatar
        kim881

        My pleasure.

        Like

  12. Rob Kistner Avatar
    Rob Kistner

    Wonderful memories, K, really well written. 👍🏼🙂✌🏼🫶🏼

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. K. Hartless Avatar
      K. Hartless

      Thank you, Rob. I may have lost my sweet tooth, but I can recall that honey after taste so vividly.

      Like

      Reply
  13. Susan St.Pierre Avatar
    Susan St.Pierre

    Wow! Quite a masterful, many layered, haibun. Bravo!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. K. Hartless Avatar
      K. Hartless

      Thank you, Susan. I always try to be plain with my haibuns, but maybe it’s just that my mind doesn’t work that way. I appreciate your kind words.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Susan St.Pierre Avatar
        Susan St.Pierre

        You’re most welcome.

        Liked by 1 person

  14. Bob Avatar
    Bob

    Fantastic!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. K. Hartless Avatar
      K. Hartless

      Thank you, Bob. I appreciate you reading and kind leaving a message here.

      Liked by 1 person

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

    I love the vividity of the memory… you really transport yourself into that pivotal (?) moment… and maybe why you have lost your appetite for sweets.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. K. Hartless Avatar
      K. Hartless

      Yes, well, that particular one, for sure. A brief happiness, baklava and this particular romance. The after effects aren’t so easily overcome. Those cavities, I mean. 😉 Thanks for stopping by, Björn. I always appreciate your comments.

      Like

      Reply
  16. Titus Avatar
    Titus

    How you bring such great pics?! ❣️💕❣️💕❣️

    Like

    Reply

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