The river of rainwater washed down the sand, from the hills, and clogged up the roads. Hands entwined, wet hair plastered down, the couple walked on—unmindful of the muck, splashed on their calves, by the river. He searched her face for an answer.

scented dusk

a drop of rain

on her cinnamon nose

The couple did not notice the wet child shivering in the corner. Hands entwined, wet hair plastered down, he crouched with his back to the slush cascading down the hills. He searched the faces passing around him.

pigeonsshaking dry

in shaded verandahs—

home

(Wikipedia: A Haibun is a prosimetric literary form originating in Japan, combining prose and haiku. The range of haibun is broad and frequently includes autobiography, diary, essay, prose poem, short story and travel journal. A haibun may record a scene, or a special moment, in a highly descriptive and objective manner or may occupy a wholly fictional or dream-like space. The accompanying haiku may have a direct or subtle relationship with the prose and encompass or hint at the gist of what is recorded in the prose sections.)