Does this post constitute a Haibun? Who knows? Who cares? At any rate, the following seven Haikus (they are Haikus because I say they are) form an account of my thoughts and experiences during a holiday over the following days in the year 2026, and written whilst there, using a real pen and paper. Incidentally, are our school children still taught the skills necessary to the use of such implements?

The phrase “Haunted Fish Tank” is a colloquialism, refering to the phenomenon of having a television in one’s living room, which I liken to the presence of a real fish tank, a small aquarium, one of which I had many years ago, its occupants being at least living, and some claim, sentient creatures.

I now regard mobile phone screens, PCs, laptops etc. as belonging to the category of Haunted Fish Tank: being click-baiting, mind-sapping, pap-exuding devices, which I would do well to avoid as much as possible in the interests of both my mental and physical health!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday 27th July (Travelling)

Motorway madness;

refugee seeks nature’s arms;

blessèd Silverdale!

*

Tuesday 28th July (Being There)

Hawes Water’s a “lake”;

ecologists say, a “pond”,

a wildlife haven!

*

Wednesday 29th July (Atonement)

Day of at-one-ment.

Walked hand in hand with Gaia

in Summer’s glory.

*

Thursday 30th July (Levens Hall)

Beautiful gardens!

looking closely at nature,

I see few straight lines.

*

Friday 31st July (Fish Versus Rats)

Equilibrium!

Five days, haunted fish tank free;

the rat-race called off.

*

Saturday 1st August (News Headline)

Horse flies. Ouch, that hurt!

“Honest politician found”.

Pig flies. Stung again!

*

Sunday 2nd August (Return)

There’s no place like home;

I’ll fight insanity in

my small flower patch!

*

 

Le Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh,

Déardaoin, an séú lá de mhí Lúnasa,

2026, an bhliain dhá mhíle is fiche a sé.