Diarmuid Fitzgerald

Seized

I place down my spoon. My sister says something and she seems far away and I cannot make out what she is saying. Everything in the room is like a painted prop from a stage. Then colours come and fill the room.

the sun hides
shadow from the kitchen table
disappears

When I regain consciousness, I am lying on the ground. My mum and sister are screaming. My head is bursting in pain and I place my hands on my head and roar.

snow on the TV
the signal crackles
loses strength

After the pain subsides I feel dreadfully thirsty. I drink three pints of water, which settles me. The family doctor explains that I had a seizure and usually they are once-off. Usually.

stormy day
releasing my thoughts
into the wind

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About the Author

Two collections of Diarmuid Fitzgerald’s haiku have been published by Alba Publishing, Thames Way in 2015 and A Thousand Sparks in 2018. Haiku, tanka, and haibun have appeared in Blithe Spirit, Presence, Modern Haiku, Frogpond, Shamrock, Failed Haiku, and other journals. He was Highly Commended in the International Genjuan Haibun Competition 2021. For more, see www.deewriter.com and, on Instagram, @deewriters.