This weekend past we had a rare sunny day and on Saturday we went for a hike. We took the bus and brought with us some freshly baked sourdough, each one a thermos of tea, some apples and chocolate. In the bright sun the aspen trees seemed to be on fire, but the black skeletal branches reminded us that soon nature will dress itself in monochrome. Now, a Monday night, I sit and listen to the untamed wind tearing the last leaves from the trees. Darkness and death comes with November.
in russet and brown
this island of aspen leaves
a quivering grave
Today Frank hosts dVerse Haibun Monday with a prompt on autumn colors or spring blossom depending on if you your hemisphere.
October 21, 2024
Björn Rudbergs writings 
The darkness that swooped into your Haibun have it that added cutting tension…further exemplified in the haiku…November…yes…there was one year in Finland where it all really hit me in November, and I almost moved far north..at least it is always night and somehow that felt it could be better, with the glowing snow, too. The Nordic November is not to be mocked at.
Having lived here all my life I should get used to it… but I never do. It almost feel worse every year.
I think I would enjoy an autumn picnic, Björn, especially the freshly baked sourdough. I like the way your haibun turns on the axis of ‘black skeletal branches’, the way you introduce winter darkness in both prose and haiku.
Thank you—-I know so well what is coming. I can feel it my bones.
You’re most welcome. I just hope we have a milder winter this year. Fuel is so expensive, and were getting older.
Sounds wonderful
much♡love
That untamed wind a true herald of what’s to come. I can’t imagine such harsh winters. Lotta’s instagram post provided wonderful background to your write.
The coming winter signifies slumber and peace to me. Your dark portrayal of it, is another viewpoint, indeed.
Love the details in this one, & how your haiku pulls it all together!
Enjoy the coloring before nature goes monochrome. The grays of winter and darkness of shorter days. I do enjoy fresh baked bread. It sounds like you had a wonderful hike.
I love your haibun, Bjorn. Your picnic sounds wonderful! It is great you caught a day of sunshine!
Wonderful haibun on a beautiful day. I know, it is difficult not to think of the dark month of November.
A lovely haibun to celebrate a beautiful day
We went for a hike yesterday to see fall colors which were nearly done…I felt the foreboding of death too.
Bread, apples and chocolate – the starves of life to sustain you on your Autumn hike (sigh)…
My feelings about autumn too. Those skeletons are becoming bolder and bolder.
The food sounds delicious. I think I remember you sharing before that there is a lack of the autumnal color in the foliage there that makes for a bleak autumn/winter season.
A feast, Björn, for body and soul. Your haibun is deeply evocative and rich.
HI Bjorn, you make your winter sound quite frightening. I am not used to very cold weather. South Africa has moderate winters.
on point with Halloween approaching ~
I love the line: soon nature will dress itself in monochrome
Great haibun!
I like your picnic choices. Too bad November has to come in and ruin the colors.
A reprieve, so brief, and then the reality punches in.