Alien, apart
See the last sane flock migrate –
At a brand re-launch
###
This poem was written for Heeding Haiku With HA: Worlds of Our Own Making, in which we were invited to write about the tension between the inner and outer worlds we live in. As luck would have it, I’d been made aware of that phenomenon this afternoon when attending a brand re-launch, where one of the brand values was announced as “brave.” Now I’ve always been interested in language and I enjoy seeing words used in startling, unheard-of ways, but there comes a point where the meaning of language is stretched so infinitesimally thin that any sense simply snaps under the strain. And to describe the selling of Playstation 4s as “brave”, well…
And so, words were mouthed without meaning for an hour and a half. I looked out of the window to try to regain some perspective.
Sweet FA by Blake 
A very nice haiku Blake — and, may I add — a very nice haibun?
So … selling a Playstation is “brave”? Oy. Malala Yousafzai is brave; the Playstation, not so much. No matter how far you stretch it! But … this phenomena is live and kicking, even in the non-profit world. A shame. Glad you were able to find a great window view to regain your perspective and maintain your sanity.
It was a peculiar experience, alright. You know how Hitchcock invented that zoom shot in Vertigo, where James Stewart lurches into the foreground while the background drops away suddenly? It was a bit like that – unsettling to realise that everyone else has started speaking a language that’s got nothing whatsoever to do with you. Odd times.
Oh, I remember that shot…! That’s a good way if describing it!
Used to feel disoriented at times during conferences … Listening to the bigwigs as they’re speaking and feeling totally lost…..
Oh, I remember that shot…! That’s a good way if describing it!
Used to feel disoriented at times during conferences … Listening to the bigwigs as they’re speaking
And this was heading towards haibun territory? Well, my ideas about these posts were learned over at BIOLI, so… 😉
Oh and I ordered my haiku book yesterday – the Robert Hass collection you suggested, which should give me a nice overview to start with. Looking forward to it.
Yes — a haibun is simply prose and haiku combined, usually demonstrating a journey or memory of some kind. 🙂
Let me know what you think of the Has collection – hope you like it.
The last flock is the toughest one I guess. Vuelva a Mexico!.
Best wishes dear Sue, Aquileana 😛
Hmm I wonder how they do decide who gets to leave the horrible cold weather first?? Personally I’d be Vuelva-ing a Mexico at the very first opportunity, dear Aquileana! 😉
Being an alien is a wise choice sometimes. An interesting perspective presented in your words. And a very well written haibun. Thanks for participating in the prompt.
-HA
True, sometimes the appeal of outer space seems unquestionable… And thanks for such an intriguing prompt!
lovely haibun and interesting haiku .. enjoyed reading this!
Well, the haibun element was a bit accidental, really. I just thought that referring to a brand re-launch might benefit from a little context 😉