Category: Haibun

Skipo

On By Jerry BrothertonIn Haibun, Poetry2 Comments 
An empty penut butter jar, a saltine cracker box, and some Orange Crush cans sit in the trash. An old worn leather recliner in the corner by the window. The wall mounted TV stuck on Gunsmoke. The wrinkle free bed covers tucked in tight. A small dog lays at the foot of the bed and looks longingly at the door. Everything in place—except you.
I'm here
you're not—
sadness

A Snail’s Pace

On By Jerry BrothertonIn Haibun, Poetry2 Comments 
The Equal Rights Amendment was first proposed in 1923 and passed through the House of Representatives in 1971 and the Senate in 1972. However, it took until 2020 for 38 of the 50 states to ratify it. On January 17th, 2025, then President Joe Biden declared that the ERA had met the requirements for certification to the Constitution. Today, it still has not been certified, and not all 50 states have yet to ratify it.
it takes a long time
for Ents to say anything
governments need more

Change is Inevitable

On By Jerry BrothertonIn Haibun, PoetryLeave a comment 
It’s been about five and a half years now since my wife and I moved from the wilds of Montana to the slightly less wilds of the Missouri Ozarks. I have to say, there have been many changes to our humble abode through those years. Like removing the 18’ by 32’ swimming pool from the side yard. Which I still have a giant hole in the ground that I use to fill up with spring and after storm cleanup debris. The addition of a 24 x 12 foot Gazebo in the back yard, remodeled kitchen, converting the screened in back porch into a usable living space, turning half  the garage space into a working office and more. Even after all these projects, it seems like my work is never finished. But that’s life. As they say, it’s not over until it’s over.
with each step forward
the world around us will change
for better or worse

Be Careful What You Ask

On By Jerry BrothertonIn Haibun, Poetry1 Comment 
I asked a simple question to Google's version of AI. I received what might be mistaken as an accurate answer.
My Question: "How long did it take for all 50 states to ratify the 19th amendment to the US Constitution.

This is the answer I recieved:  
The 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote took approximately 19 years to be ratified by all 50 states. The amendment was first passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on May 21, 1919, and required 36 states to ratify it. The final state to ratify was Tennessee on August 18, 1920.

Problem: Tennessee was only the 36th state to ratify it. The second major problem is— if you add 19 years to 1919 then it would be 1938 when all 50 states ratified it. We did not have 50 states in 1938.

So when you hear our current president say he uses AI to help him make decisions on world affairs, know that he is not getting the true story. But then, it probably is still much better than what he gets from his band of amateur advisors. 
when AI answers
humans must still interpret—
skip the middle man

Broken / Repaired

On By Jerry BrothertonIn Haibun, PoetryLeave a comment 
There was a time when we were young that my life was broken and shattered into a thousand pieces. Each fragment was scattered about the universe and many of the pieces were hidden in the darkest places where humanity could not survive. Yet, you stubbornly sifted through the emptiness and filth of the world to gather all those pieces. With kindness, compassion and love, you carefully examined each one. You traced each of their jagged edges with your soft fingers until you knew where it belonged. With caring you guided them back into their place. Until I was whole.

Nothing’s so busted
it can’t be put together
with patience and love