Shape Shifting

bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbStories: a haibun

Gold and love come and go, but stories are eternal. Their shape constantly shifting, they expand or shrink to fit the allotted space.


bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbthe sun
bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbsells its story
bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbto the moon


A penny a word, or crackling by the fire, each story stops time, and flavors the air with pungent memory. “Is it true?” the children ask. The grownups smile because they know it doesn’t matter.


bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbworld domination
bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbit’s time for another
bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbstory to be told


The power of a story lies in its archetypal truth, in the way it makes each of us the hero, villain, and damsel in distress. (“Curses! Foiled again!”) The details evolve through natural selection to produce the most thrilling and soul-stirring response in each listener. The true power of a story lies in how many of those who hear it, go on to retell it in their own true voice.


bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbmy story
bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbkeeps changing
bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbeach sunrise


© Judy Kamilhor 2007

Birthday wishes

riding the busbbbthe couple
bbbbbparsingbbbeach other's sentences



neither of us
is good
at goodbyes



my mind
compromised
by sugar and grief



the castle, unguarded
the maiden, free



[Today is the 82nd anniversary of my mother's birth. Her name was Phyllis. She died in 1970, but not before giving me the gift of a passion for creativity. I still miss her.]


© Judy Kamilhor 2007

Valentine's Day Surprise

Love and gratitude are two of the most potent, and poetic, of forces. As Valentine's Day approaches, ready or not, why not show your love and gratitude in a new way by creating a special Valentine's Day card for that often forgotten deity, your Muse. . . .

And if you don't have a Muse, or haven't called on her in a long time, here's a brief profile of each from the Wikipedia:

Calliope (Chief of the muses and muse of epic poetry)
Euterpe (muse of lyric song)
Clio (muse of history)
Erato (muse of erotic poetry)
Polyhymnia (muse of sacred song)
Melpomene (muse of tragedy)
Terpsichore (muse of dance)
Thalia (muse of comedy and bucolic poetry)
Urania (muse of astronomy)

If any of these powerful beings sounds like they can help you in your creative dreams and visions, why not let her know by taking the time to create something beautiful just for her. And since the Muses don't have mailing addresses, how about sending your card to someone in your own life who inspires you?

Of course, my Muse is Thalia, at least today. The beauty of creativity is that you never know where it will take you.



© Judy Kamilhor 2007

Fast-talking dead

homeless man
wearing a dirty Cubs cap
not waiting for a train



some people
talk in syllables
some in chapters



your money
or your love



the artist
sells his wares
over the subway grate



haiku, life
each has its
moments



real winter
get those slush funds
ready



it's said that life
is for the living;
the dead have their own saying,
but no-one knows what it is



world's saddest book:
who was who



© 2007 Judy Kamilhor