Tall Grasses (Haibun)

Let us pause and enjoy the tall grasses today –

The brown stalks that surround the empty cornfields are just as lovely when they are brown as when they were fresh and green.  They bow with the wind and rain, and even they are forced to bend, their angles provide interest to the eye that grows weary with sameness.   They are lovely when they are sprinkled with blue chicory and wild carrot; they are lovely grouped in deep waves of green; they are lovely in solitary stalks.  And they are perhaps most lovely in the winter when they stand tall against the snow. 

Tall grasses bear nature’s fury and blessing with equal grace.  Tall grasses don’t refuse to budge in the automobile’s wake; neither do they refuse the storm’s sudden gusts.  They are not proud:  they love roadsides and fields equally.   

after the first frost
tall grasses bow to the ground –
patiently  

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Inspired by Carpe Diem’s “Tackle It Tuesday”, Equanimity, the next step in Sri Sivananda’s “Path of 18-Ity’s”.

Be calm. Bear insult patiently. Bear injury, suffering, failures and disrespect calmly. Do not be elated by praise, pleasure, success and honor. Look upon both with equal vision. Behave alike towards friends and foes. Never let anything disturb your inner peace.

Here is our host’s haiku:

high in the mountains
prayer flags standing strong in the wind -
Om Mani Padme Hum

© Chèvrefeuille

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