Tag: Haibun
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Happy Gathering
I am sitting at home the next day, looking at pictures of us and remembering the good times. Last evening, we dined with my husband’s high school classmate, who, along with her husband, drove from Washington, DC, to visit her best friend in a nursing home in Durham. After warm hugs, we stepped into Shiki-Sushi,…
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The First Morning of July
It is the first cool early morning of July; the temperature has dropped to a comfortable level. Many thin gray clouds glide eastward, occasionally leaking light spots. After a while, they stack up to form thick fish clouds, darkening the sky. Nearby, the rushing wind flows through the tops of the fir trees, making the…
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Under the Crape Myrtle
When I sat outside the coffee shop, a sparrow flew down onto the chair in front of me. It perched with its back to me, its head darting around. I immediately picked up my phone to capture the moment. I hadn’t been here in a few weeks, and the road outside was under repair, the…
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Coffee Conversation
What began as a cozy, two-hour morning coffee talk turned into what felt like an unforgettable memory, saying goodbye with a hug before the blazing noon sun. However, friendship blossoms out of just such a short time. All of us came from different countries—Japan, South Korea, China, Mexico—but we met in the courses at Durham…
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The Sadness of June
June brings a touch of sadness. I met new friends during the courses; we shared laughter and stories, building bonds that felt unbreakable at the time. But we parted ways when they ended, and most of us may never meet again. The scent of fresh-cut grass and the vibrant colors of summer blooms remind me…
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Learning in the Wild
“See! A black snake!” After someone’s cry, we trotted through the gentle grassy slope. The soft grass blades brushed against my legs while I dashed with others. Today was our field trip class. We were visiting Duke Garden in the sunshine under the guidance of our teacher Vicki. We soon gathered around the slim black…
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Special Lunch
Yesterday, I had lunch with my classmates. Aya, one of my classmates from Japan, invited us to her house. As soon as I entered her cozy kitchen, I saw fried mashed potato balls and sweet potato fries with sesame placed on the kitchen counter. Soon after, she showed us how to make sushi, and it…
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Geese
A group of geese search for food in the lush grass on the distant slope, their heads bobbing up and down as they peck at the grass. Meanwhile, I stand at the roadside, quietly observing them from a distance. Each goose is focused intently on finding food, except for one that stands like a sentinel,…
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No Response, But OK
I stare at the picture: one celebrating Mother’s Day. Inside, a vase of flowers sits on the table with the line, “Mom, you are the best.” I hesitate, but finally, I post it to my WeChat Family group. I hope my mother will see it, although I don’t think she will reply. Still, I feel…
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Strawberry Bliss
In early May, the strawberry farm spills over with glowing hues. Clusters of berries, plump and ripe, bask in the warm sun’s rays, soaking up its essence. This is the time for picking strawberries. As I stroll through the verdant fields of the strawberry farm, the scent of sweetness fills the air, inviting me to…