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Last week, I got an honourable mention from Ligo Haibun for consistently writing good haibuns (two apart from this) 🙂 I say a big thanks to the judges for thinking my offerings worthy. This week’s challenge, a special one coincides with the Ligo festival in Latvia.
Going Home
‘Don’t play the drums of another land before you play our own’
My grandmother’s words came into my mind, unbidden, playing on and on like a broken record. What did I come here seeking? The vast stretch and lush carpet of greens gave me the answer. The trees whistled in wild abandon in response to the sudden gust of wind. I whistled back, happy, remembering home. Everything fell in place.
You see, in my land, men do not run around naked. That was the height of madness and it meant that you had been bewitched. But seeing those handsome virile men the day before at the fair as they strutted in their glory, I had felt some deep primitive stirring within me. Was that the secret behind this display? This feeling of oneness with nature that somehow made it all right?
Hmm! I wish I could have worn the crowns of wreath like the women I saw. They looked pretty, the luscious leaves creating a pretty contrast with their brightly hued dresses. Ha! Back home, we only wore leaves round our neck when we mourned royalty.
It’s time I went back home.
Reading Pleasure 
This is a real, multi-layered piece of work. Possibly your best – in fact yes, I think it is. Culturally, I especially liked the comparison between two different cultures. I liked the hints of humour and very much liked the message, and philosophy that you travelled far to learn about home. The style you wrote in was like cream on a cake.
The men running remains a mystery to me, and I have yet to try it, though the competition looks a bit tough so I will stay hidden behind a crown of leaves somewhere far.. thanks very much for your wonderful haibun!
Oh Managua, you make me laugh so hard 🙂 do stay hidden; I don’t want to have a shock. Or better still don’t hide. I might blink hard 🙂
Thank you for the lovely compliment
You mean blink hard looking because hard to find? Oh dear….!
Compliment was very sincere. Good writing is wonderful – and was in many ways as said. Am so happy to have you aboard with Ligo – actually not just me, all 3 of us are.
I agree with lepirate Celestine, this is wonderful writing. I think you should write more short fiction, maybe the 100 word challenge? I really enjoy reading everything you write, more please!
Thank you so much, Gilly. I truly appreciate you support 🙂 These days Fridays are just too much of busy days and so i don’t get to do the Friday Fictioneers in addition to the other prompts. I know I’ve been absent for so long (sigh) 🙂
Fabulous. Naked we came and naked we will return. Puts the world in perspective. 😉 Alcie
Too true 🙂
The thought makes me want to strip naked and run down the street. Well. Maybe not. 😉
Please don’t 🙂
Yes. Ummm… thanks. 😉
The comparison between the foreign land and your home well-expressed here and also your desire to go to your homeland. Also enjoyed the imagery of trees whistling in response to the wind. very nicely done
Thank you so much, Nightlake 🙂
This post hit all sorts of greatness!
Gracias 🙂
De nada 🙂
Yes this is truly lovely both in the writing itself and the interesting ideas. Nice one!
Thank you so much, Jessica 🙂
I like the relationship with the grandmother and I adore your Haiku, a very lovely read – thank you.
Thank you so much. I appreciate your visit
This has such a joyful feel to it. I also liked the comparison of the cultures. Very nicely done. I enjoyed it!
Thank you Steph. Glad you enjoyed it
Okay so this is an easy one. but first, I think your haiku was also being alluded to, when you were referenced as having “consistently good writing” Celestine), So I’ll just say here that my thoughts on your haibun for this week are …… What Managua said!!!!!! 🙂
Thank you so much, Penny. I can only say that having been’ passed’ by the judges has made my day. 🙂
🙂 xx
this is so wonderful a read…in my land too, men do not run naked in parades. or maybe they do – but i’m clueless. ha ha. the way you compared the difference in culture and ended with the haiku finding you at your core essence. lovely! ♥
Glad you found this wonderful, Sunshine. Indeed, in my country it is only mad people that you find walking on the streets naked. 🙂 Culture difference is really interesting
i agree…we can never call life boring. ha ha. ☺
hmmmm let me start off by saying that i love the photo that you chose. lol ^^ and thati love your haibun ever more… it’s sprinkled with bits of sensuality, humor, and the well-expressed thoughts of a spectator from another culture. well done 🙂
Thanks a million, Kz, for the lovely compliment 🙂
I am glad for the link that lead me here. I really enjoyed this. Comparing cultural traditons. I once went to Maui…we were told of the red sand beach where one was free to roam in the buff…we neve did find it, hubby and I. But then we didn’t look that hard either. 😉 Being married a long time, well you don’t have to stop looking, but if you are happy with what you have?
Cheers.
Thank you Jules. I always enjoy reading your comments, for that underflow nugget hidden in the words 🙂
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