Pain
Pain reminds me that I’m breathing, still able to appreciate the fragrance of French roast coffee brewing, the diced red pepper, onion and jalapeño mixture sizzling in the pan. Today is a good day. When I roll out the dough for the onion tart, the leg barely protests, and as I sip ginger tea while the tart bakes, no throb interrupts my pleasure.
Sometimes the hip shocks me with its barbed lance attack, or the knee rasps “not today, sonny,” and I grimace, concentrate on deliberate forward movement, one short step followed by another, into the kitchen or down the steps to the shack.
Music soothes, as does poetry, but occasionally the weight of the guitar is more than the leg can bear. Still, when I manage to lose myself in a tune or a few phrases, I drift in their currents, weightless, free.
Oh, to climb that hill
among those lost maples
Look — my shoe’s untied
* * *
“Pain” first appeared in The Zen Space in July 2018.
O at the Edges 
I can relate, and I had to laugh at that last line. At least you can see your shoes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha! These days the hip is doing well. Other parts, of course, still have their say in the day’s events.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Lol.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Reblogged this on Frank J. Tassone and commented:
#Haiku Happenings #3: Robert Okaji’s #haibun appeared in “The Zen Space”!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks very much for reblogging this, Frank.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a beautifully poignant haibun! Living with pain and suffering while still being able to smile and count one’s blessings is a result of faith and amazing acceptance. Hope keeps it going.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks very much, Al. Much appreciated.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful ❤️
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Paula!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is just wonderful! Beautifully written.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks very much, Eugenia.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Most welcome, Robert.
LikeLiked by 2 people