Working from home new habits are forming; walking or running in the morning we are often passing the nearby elementary school. I see the teacher coming early, sometimes I can meet them arriving, sometimes I see them in the classroom preparing. Later we meet children coming, walking or on bicycle,and these last few weeks when schools are back I see them with their parents. Parents are working from home like us so taking their time walking to school can be done without jeopardizing the first meeting. Back to the office seems far away.
I remember my first days at school after summer break. Walking with my friends with with house keys shoelaced around my neck, I knew that when I came home again the house would be silent.
How will children of today learn the difference between solitude and loneliness?
waiting for first frost
the aspen by the schoolyard —
greener than ever
Today Frank hosts Haibun Monday at dVerse, and inspires us with school start. Not having children or being a teacher I have to write about what I see and how it relates to my own school start.
August 30, 2021
Björn Rudbergs writings 
An exquisite reminiscence, with a powerful haiku to complement the nostalgic prose! Bravo, Bjorn!
Beautiful haibun, Bjorn. Such a little cutie in the picture.
Yes, back to school is different these days.
A wonderful haibun and haiku, Bjorn. You were one of the early latchkey children!
Great stuff, BR, esp the closing question and the OUTSTANDING haiku.
Bang on, brother. This haibun has it all. And yes your haiku sizzles. Did both your parents work? Did you have siblings?
I have a little sister, but when i started school my mother started to work.
I really liked the haiku at the end; the state of the trees and the start of school are intertwined in my memory.
Ah the life of a ‘latch key’ is certainly full of lessons
Happy Monday Björn
Much❤love
Great memory and photo, Björn. The first days of school are always the greenest. Love the shoelace key memory as well.
Well written Bjorn. For me, the prompt just triggered the current upset and disbelief I am unable to shake.
How indeed! The pandemic has turned solitude into a luxury and loneliness has become more acute. Loved the haiku.
That pic, by the way, is adorable.
Lovely, Björn… reminds me of this –
greaat haibun. wish i could have got home to a quiet house as a kid. as the middle one of seven siblings it never happend which is why i cheerish it now.
Really beautiful!
“the difference between solitude and loneliness.”
First of all, you were the cutest school boy I ever saw!
You bring back memories of a key hanging around my neck. I had no problem with it, though one of my teachers thought it was appalling.
Great haibun!
What a little cutie you were/are!