I looked at the vast beach below. Sparkling in green, the water took in the joy of the land, reflecting the crowd of happy faces. Children ran with balloons, anxious mothers watched them while quiet toddlers built castles in the sand. Lovers sat behind trees, gazing into the each other’s eyes, the music of sea between them. The waves watched everything and glistened with their happiness.
I looked at the green walls in my well-furnished office and shuddered at the barren land below. My colleague typed away in his mechanical style, oblivious to the maddening silence.
Thriving and well-fed
yet bound in a narrow space
fish in Aquarium
Written for the Ligo Haibun Challenge. Pirate and Penny are the other hosts of this challenge. Do share your own haibun with us and enjoy the contribution by other writers.
awwww I think this is sweet! Also gives me guilt because I looked over at my fish bowl and still cannot figure out where one went. 😦 Not sure if it was suicide or cat attack.
Oh, probably a cat attack..and thank you for reading and commenting, Anja
Gosh, I know how it feels to be in an aquarium. Colleagues and narrow spaces … that narrow space. Nicely done.
Glad you could empathize. Thank you very much for the comment
Beautifully written, the different perspectives illustrate the illusion.
Thank you very much for the encouragement
Claustrophobia induced illusion. Well done 🙂
Thank you so much, Aesop Clerk:)
I love this. The twist in the end 🙂
Thank you, Alastair:)
You’re welcome
I was particularly drawn to he image of the maddening silence. Beautifully written.
Thank you so much
you made the fish alive through your words.A beautiful personified article!
Thank you very much, Soumya. Glad you see your comment
Me too nice to read u back. Had been on a vacation since last two months.
i wish to be the waves watching happiness around and hope not a fish end up in that aquarium bowl. ha-ha 🙂
love your haibun ♥
Yes:)) It probably takes more than food to make the fish happy..Thank you, Sunshine:)
Excellent Padmini, Loved it. A clever allegory on several levels … illusion indeed my friend. Well written haibun with a perfect haiku! 🙂
Thank you very much, Penny:)
When I read words like ‘the water took in the joy of the land’ I feel clever for finding the best places to read real poetry. Beautiful.
Since it comes from an amazing writer like you, it is a very valuable compliment. Thank you very much
The stark contrast makes the illusion more poignant. Beautifully written.
Thank you, Celestine:)
The contrast between the two vistas is quite disturbing. I sometimes feel like that after a week spent working in London…
Glad you could empathize with this. Thank you for the comment