Mark Gilbert

Posthumous Haibun

Boiling some water to invigorate yesterday’s tea. Will it taste any different today? This morning, Mars is moving into Capricorn. My star sign. So I’m wary and watchful. I lick my precious pencil. There’s not much of it left. I keep it safe with this little notebook in my breast pocket. You never know, perhaps one day it will save my life. Protect my vital organs from a stray ricochet. The Great War, they’re calling it. There’s not much to see down here in this muddy trench. Our trench. Dawn is on its way, the stars are disappearing, one by one. Already the low rumble of cannons. A shell with no-one’s name on it.

distant thunder
seeking a pattern
in the fallen leaves

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About the Author

Mark Gilbert has been enjoying writing haibun for over 15 years. Examples of his work may be found in the journals Haibun Today, Human/Kind, and Failed Haiku.

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