Haibun Monday—No Ko Me—Tree Buds
One of the most promising signs of a soon-to-be spring is the appearance of tiny buds on the trees. In Japanese the word pending is implied in the Kigo, No Ko Me--tree buds. The bud holds so much potential, the possibility of the tree becoming all that is was created to be.
Anticipation, hope, wonder, mystery are among many possible human responses to the appearance of buds on trees and how easy it is to find parallels in our own lives. As with most seasonal Kigos, there is a metaphoric richness contained within.
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Tree Buds in Winter
Today, I am asking you to reflect on No Ko Me and, using your own experience, write a Haibun consisting of 1-3 terse non-fictional paragraphs followed by a seasonal haiku.
Bjorn called my attention to an exquisite poem (not in a Japanese form) by Karin Boye titled “Yes of Course It Hurts.” I will share a couple of lines with you but, in respect of copyright laws, I suggest you take a moment to link HERE in order to read the entire poem. It is full of inspiration for today’s prompt.
YES, OF COURSE IT HURTS by Karin Boye
Yes, of course it hurts when buds are breaking.
Why else would the springtime falter?
Why would all our ardent longing
bind itself in frozen, bitter pallor…?
To join in, write your Haibun and post it on your blog. Add the URL of your poem to Mr. Linky at the bottom of this post. Link your post back to dVerse and to your social network sites. Come back to the pub to read and comment on other poets.
This is Victoria for dVerse Poets delighted to be with you this week. Don’t forget, this prompt is open until Saturday, so join in when you can and don’t forget to visit latecomers. Have a wonderful week and may you be blessed with budding trees in the near future.
dVerse 
G’day lovers of Haibun. Looking forward to reading your budding poetry. Have a happy, creative week.
Fantastic prompt… Of course in our nordic country the tree buds have a special place… and I immediately came up with two famous poems that relate to this. One is referred to by Victoria, and the second is a Children’s song I learned to sing when very young…
The children’s poem really touched me, Bjorn, as did Karin Boye’s. So grateful you shared them.
I think that tree buds mean so much in Sweden with its long winter.
I can imagine. Aren’t they a great metaphor?!
So many things you can pour into them… and I have read a few already.
Thanks for hosting, Victoria! The prompt is just in time for budding spring.
And then a freeze!
Tree buds…I’ve watched my flowering quince go from nearly invisible tiny red buds sprinkling the branches to now quarter sized pink blooms bursting forth. A lovely Japanese prompt for the Japanese haibun. This time of year is so special before blooms burst forth. I love the poem by Karin Boye. I once wrote a haik u about the pain of buds breaking forth. Thank you so much for this lovely kigo.
Oh, what a lovely prompt. Thank you.
You are so welcome, Sarah.
Happy to see you, Toni. I thought of you when I chose the Kigo.
💙💚💛💜
What a lovely prompt, Victoria. My submission is rather weak. I’ve been sick for over a month and am looking for the buds. They bring hope and expectation of continued life. Such a lovely prompt.
Hope you are feeling better and I’m sure you submission is not going to be weak.
Thank you, Victoria. Maybe it’s me that’s weak, and not the haibun. I can only hope.
I’m sure you still feel awful–being sick that long takes its toll.
Yes, first the flu (three weeks after the flu shot) and now pneumonia. I’m pooped. Time to make my will…or perhaps peace. LOL!
Rest!
Hello Victoria- Living in Arizona, we are seeing signs of Spring here. So, I wrote about the lemon blossoms. Lovely prompt and thank you!
Yea, we have them here, too, in the SoCal desert. One of my favorite aromas.
Thank you for this prompt Victoria…buds behind my house are very small but still perceptible if you look closely.
It will be fun for you to watch them grow.
Yes the leaf buds are always amazing in their detail.
I have finally posted my haibun. This was such a lovely prompt!
Thank you, Toni. Off to read in a moment.
Evening, Poets! Thanks, Victoria, for the inspiring prompt. I’ve seen the poor maple near my deck attempt to bud so many times, and another Nor’Easter moving in will confuse her yet again. But I admire her persistence! 🙂
I thought of all of you in the Northeast and the crazy weather you are having.
This one is easy! If God gives, I can do it! 🤡
That poem by Karin Boye is really special. I believe it is the most famous poem in Norway, even if she is Swedish. Did you know that Karin Boye left her husband to live with another woman?
Back to read after an errand that took longer than I expected. I hope you are all enjoying the prompt.
I made it! 🙂 Thank You, Lord! 💛 You know, Victoria, that is – – you!
Smiles, welcome.
I read your poem but wasn’t able to comment. Nice work with rhyming prose.
Yes, how do you accept comments on your platform?
Out for the evening, me ladies and gents. I will return in the afternoon after a morning on the links. Take heart all ye snowbound poets.
This is a lovely prompt, Victoria. I’ll be back throughout the day to read more.
I’ve enjoyed yours, Merril.
Thank you, Victoria.