Golly, did I hear you say you would be free if you could?
Gussy the Goose, Charlotte’s Web (2006
Nanna lies peacefully in her bed for the last time.
She looks serene lying there. Her life coming to an end, surrounded by all of us who could make it here today. She had an inkling her end was close; she insisted her final day be spent in her favourite purple nightie. Nanna has a thing for purple.
She was a strong woman with a penchant for birds. Types of every kind littered her house, her beloved aviary now derelict, her precious goose still tall and straight.
I too am living these final moments, every laboured effort I think is her last.
I sit beside her holding her hand and in these moments remembering her stories, trips over seas, the exotic and mundane she had witnessed and her secret liaison with the Arab Sheik, she had whispered to me several days before. She wanted me to know and to settle once and for all the story of the goose she has in her living room. It was a gift from the Sheik, the last time she saw him. It was in the spring and under a tree resplendent in blossoms he had presented her with the goose, a symbol of his families standing and his esteem for her. He had kissed her that one last time and she never looked back as she knew he was gone forever.
Nanna wanted someone to know and chose me. I felt honoured, privileged and now I knew the tale, one I would pass on to my children, a memory, precious in its telling.
Now as her life ebbs from her, I feel a tear roll down my cheek, my daughter sees, puts an arm around my shoulders. Nanna breaths her last, I am still holding her hand, her suffering is over. Silence embraces us. My daughter and I embrace, she cries on my shoulder, my own tears flow with hers.
Outside a chorus of birds breaks out.
seasons well lived
blossoms always within her heart
one youthful life
Written for: http://haibunthinking.wordpress.com/2014/03/18/haibun-thinking-week-9-march-18th-2014/
Morpethroad 
How amazing are you, this story from this pic? I got a little sniffly as birds are mums ‘big thing’ at the moment.. a lovely Haibun and haiku Michael.
Thank you Jenny, you must remember I am a tad more than just a pretty face. This was a good haibun to create I am very happy that it touched you as it did.
I keep forgetting that..how silly of me, thank you it did and that’s what is special about us writers, bringing forth emotions
This was beautiful Michael and touching and that haiku at the end sublime
Thank you so much Yves, much appreciate your comment.
Such a beautiful and sad story. Well written and a perfect haiku to finish it off.
Hi Al, thanks so much, happy you enjoyed my piece.
I did, thanks for taking part again 🙂
This reminded me of our last moments with my Mother-in-law. Eleven family members holding hands around her bed singing her favorite hymn as she took her last breath. She suddenly looked so peaceful ( dare I say happy ? ). Your haiku is absolutely perfect. P
Thanks Pat I really appreciate you connecting with my work. If she was suffering she had every right to be happy I would think.
This was beautiful Michael. Sad, yes, but beautiful and when it’s my time this is how I would want to go out. The haiku was great, fit the story perfectly.
Thank you so much Jackie one would hope we all get to be so fortunate.
A touching story. I like how grandma’ chose who she wanted to share her story with.
Thank you RoSy, I am happy you enjoyed this piece. Nanna’s are interesting characters.
aloha Micheal. soft and delicate. potent and intriguing. i was caught up. aloha. r.
Thanks Rick I am happy to catch you up. See you next week.
Another excellent and poignant piece from your pen, Sir ST2.
You are the soppiest Aussie AnElephant has ever known.
And quite a tale teller.
Thank you good sir, I do try, I am going to assume soppy as in a tissue was needed?
Beautifully done.
Thank you Kim happy you enjoyed it.
Sad but uplifting, I loved the Sheik and the ideas of a whole other side to Nana, great job 🙂
Thank you Helen, this one was an enjoyable one to write.
Wow, I love the story of the Arab Sheik and the goose.
Thanks so much Brenda, it was a fun tale to explore.
Those are the best kind!
A great flight of fiction here from one little prompt. Very well done.
Thank you so much Suzanne.