Although I am free to walk pretty much wherever I want, this afternoon, I take my usual route. The sun is shining, the horses grazing, and the grass growing tall, waving in the breeze. I think about places I have never been and, hopefully, will never go, where freedom has a high price, and I am thankful that I can say what is on my mind and write from the heart.
a wildflower blooms
amidst the chaos of life –
that’s liberation
Kim M. Russell, 19th June 2023





It’s Haibun Monday at the dVerse Poets Pub, where Frank is hosting, and we’re celebrating and writing about liberation.
He reminds us that liberation ‘is the process of delivering freedom… often long overdue, and in many tragic cases, not even close to being accomplished… Recovering addicts understand liberation. The spiritually desolate or meaning-deprived also understand liberation.’
He has also shared haibun written on the topic of liberation to inspire us to write haibun that allude to liberation and consist of one to a few paragraphs of prose—usually written in the present tense—that evoke an experience, often non-fictional/autobiographical. They may be preceded or followed by one or more haiku—nature-based, using a seasonal image—that complement without directly repeating what the prose stated.
Yes, we are lucky, to have freedom of movement and of speech. What a shame we don’t use our freedoms better.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree, Jane.
LikeLike
I feel the freedom in your words and love the photos you’ve included.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Lisa. I took them on yesterday afternoon’s walk, when it was very bright and sunny. This morning is overcast, but I’m hoping the sun will break through by lunchtime.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Kim.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love your walk and your beautiful flowers, Kim.
We had a similar theme, though you said it more elegantly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Merril!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome!
LikeLiked by 1 person
To appreciate the simple freedom to take a walk is a wise awareness. Thank you, Kim!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your kind comment and for the prompt.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Luv your metaphor of the wildflower
Much💚love
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Gillena, and much love to you.
LikeLike
That’s a beautiful place to walk. We should all be thankful for such simple pleasures. (K)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love where I love, Kerfe. I’m not only thankful for that simple pleasure but also the fact that I live in a country where I’m able to walk wherever I want, safely.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. Absolutely, yes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And again, yes!
LikeLike
I know you’re not keen on brief comment, but your poem so perfectly suited my thoughts this morning.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That makes me very happy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a privilege to have freedom especially because not all of us have this privilege. Nature is always a great escape. That variegated pink-white rose is spectacular!! Great pix
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is indeed a privilege, Dawn, and I often think what life would have been like without it. Having lived in Europe for a number of years before returning to the UK via Ireland, I have learnt quite a bit about liberation from fascism and colonialism. That rose is growing wild not far from where I live. I was tempted to take a cutting, but decided not to. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I imagine living in those countries gave a first hand of those expressions of oppression and injustice. If only we can learn to love each other caste after all we are of one race—the human race.
You’re blessed to have such beauty in nature close by you. It’s really a gorgeous flower.
Have a great rest of the day …😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
We should all be thankful for the freedom we are blessed with. Great haibun 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jay!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love your freedom to move Kim! Beautiful pics attesting further to the peace and harmony of the day!
Hank
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Hank!
LikeLike
Beautiful reminder, Kim!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Sara!
LikeLike