Home » cho 16:1 | April 2020 » Haibun: Nil by Mouth

Marta Chocilowska

Nil by Mouth

The electronic display unit blips furiously. Air conditioning doesn’t seem to work; someone opens the window, someone closes it. Two skinny ladies exchange recipes of miracle diets. An old man nods off leaning on his crutches. A man a little thin on top stares numbly at the ceiling, a young woman with a scarf around her head looks at her smartphone. I instinctively touch my hair.

first chemo
cat's face slippers
comfort me

About the Author

Marta Chocilowska lives in Poland and is president of the Polish Haiku Association (PHA) and editor of the PHA’s Almanac Migratory Birds. Widely published, she is the author of Seasons in Polish Kigo.

6 thoughts on “Haibun: Nil by Mouth”

  1. That is very good, Marta, well done. It brings to the surface so well and in such an understated way, the feelings and thought surrounding such a time.

    Here for you is one of mine from when my wife was not well:
    siting in breastcare
    centre, high road, letterkenny
    awaiting dire gnosis

    Reply
  2. Beautifully written Marta. A heart rending place to be. I’ll never forget the young man who smiled at me despite his desperate face as he set next to his wife as she was getting a chemo infusion. I love that your cat face slippers are there with you. No doubt purring.

    Reply
  3. You have shown so well how every sense is heightened and how we take in every detail at times such as this, Marta. I love that your slippers have cats’ faces on them!

    Stay well.

    marion x

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