I saw her rising out of chaos, her emerald green eyes fixed on me, her mountainous bosom bare and long cascading curls of earthy brown billowing, held down only by a wreath of lavender, like a crown on her regal head. She smiled and I was smitten. But when with her lips, warm and welcoming she kissed me, I became hers completely.
We had children, many. I couldn’t get enough of her. Neither she of me, for a while. She liked my eyes, she said. She called them stars because they sparkled, especially in the dark.
It was our children that undid us in the end. Some beautiful, some cunning, some terrible and all strong, I hid those that were deformed, cruel and depraved. I didn’t want her to see. I was protecting her, I thought. But therein was my mistake. She was their mother; she loved them all. She found out and despaired. In her agony, she turned leaves from jade to ruby, then fell from trees like rusty tears. She turned her back on me after that even though I’m always here, waiting with my arms open, craving her embrace.
Gaia, love
Look up, subdue my endless yearning
Love me as before
—
This week I write after almost a week and a half of posting absolutely nothing. My work schedule was – is – crazy, but I did manage a to mix a little work and play when I sneaked to Stockholm for a business trip last week – and that is one charming city!
Last challenge I took up before this one was the Trifextra – What does Summer mean to Trifectans. I did my post, but then forgot to link up! So if you want to see it at all, you can just click here; My Mediterranean Summer.
For this week, since it’s been so long, I have joined together two challenges: Trifecta with the word Rusty and Līgo Haibun where this week we celebrate nature and incorporate two pictures into our post.
It was difficult, but I thought I needed the challenge after such a long break from writing — I didn’t want to get rusty *ultra exaggerated wink and double nudge*
As for my post, all my research into the mythology behind the piece came from my favourite encyclopaedia but still I ignored most of the page (I hope Herodotus is not turning in his grave!) As for you, I hope you like the piece.
Sandra's scribbles 
A mother’s love would never waver, no matter how deformed and mean her children are. The tale of Gaia and Uranus well incorporated in this haibun.
Thanks a lot for your comment 🙂
I really do like well-researched pieces echoing with universal themes taken from history, literature or mythology. That was fascinating, and educating. I also enjoyed your back ground very much!
I enjoyed writing it, but I didn’t enjoy living it, unfortunately – All last week felt like I was a chicken running around looking for it’s head!! Oh well…
love the image of rusty tears falling from the trees. Nicely done.
could you do a hyperlink to trifecta, please?
thanks for linking up this week.
Isn’t the hyperlink I provided above working? I’ll try again here: http://www.trifectawritingchallenge.com/
I’m glad you got to play a little in your hectic schedule – and in Stockholm – nice. I enjoyed, particularly, your description of how the children undid them in the end. Our priorities are certainly askew. Lovely feel to the piece even though the ending is sad.
Thank you, Steph! 🙂
Sandra this is great. (I couldn’t click on the ‘like’ button as it didn’t seem to want to show itself to me, so consider this well liked by me) An excellent accomplishment of combining the two challenges, exceedingly well done, a harmonious merging! Thank you for entering. Your haibun is wonderful as is your haiku. You are a very skilled and talented writer! 🙂
Oh what a comment! Even my toes are blushing! Thanks a lot, Penny 😀
🙂
You had me with the title, but I loved everything about this: the photo, the language, the images. Wonderful, frolicking fun!
hehe 🙂 thanks
Tragic and ironic that the children (the product of their love for one another) ruined them in the end. Beautifully written – glad you got to take a break from work for a little writing 🙂
Thanks, Janna 🙂
Sandra! This is brilliant. The gift of a mothers love should never be broken.
Aw 🙂 Thanks Dee.
Love the rusty tears sentence. The longing comes through the entire piece.
Also love the bit about how kids were their undoing (my evil twin loves it).
Lol 🙂 so, does mine.