When my husband died, I had to face a life that was strange to me. I was 66 years old, and had been married for 40 years. My husband and I had shared everything. When he was gone, I felt so helpless and vulnerable, and my life was a scary, unknown place. My house was dark and quiet at night, and I was alone. I constantly wished I could talk to him. I felt like I was thrown into a swift-flowing river, getting pushed downstream, fighting for breath and not knowing what was ahead, wanting to stop but unable to. And then the river would come to a brink, and the whole world plummeted down with the waterfall, and I fell and fell, faster and faster until I had to let go. I had to let go of any semblance of control, of any understanding. I had to just close my eyes and fall.
waterfall plummets
wild and powerful, crashing
into the unknown
Copyright ©2025 Lisa paul
Mish at d’Verse’s Haibun Monday asks us to create a haibun that focuses on “the fall” or “falling.”
Choose one of the following themes for inspiration.
- The Falling of Leaves
- Falling in Love
- Falling Down (oops)
- The Fall of Society
- Falling of Fruit or Nuts
- A Waterfall
- A Downfall or Decline
- A Free Fall Experience
Your haibun should consist of one to a few tight paragraphs of non-fiction / autobiographical prose usually written in present tense, followed by a nature-based, seasonal haiku. The haiku is a whisper or another layer, perhaps deepening the meaning of the prose. You are welcome to use any of my images included in this prompt.
A Little Bit of Everything, With Love 
A very poignant Haibun Lisa
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Thank you, Sadje ✨❤️✨
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You’re welcome
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I lost my own breath in this stream of consciousness. So exceptionally powerful!
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Thank you so very much! ✨🩵✨
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Very powerful read….well done….
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Thank you so much ✨🩵✨
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Very powerful, Lisa. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you, Nancy ✨🩵✨
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Powerful lines Lisa 👏❤️👏
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Thank you kindly, Maggie 🙏🩵💫
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You are very welcome Lisa 🤗❤️
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A fall like this… every time it must feel hopeless until it doesn’t… hope it is better now
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Thank you, Bjorn. I am doing better all the time. 🤍✨
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Even in the midst of your grief, you chose the waterfall prompt. I admire you so, so much – ❤️
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And I admire you so much! A waterfall really speaks to me now, and I’m sure you understand. Let’s hope we get more powerful as we fall ✨🤍🤍✨
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Poignant and heartfelt, brave and honest, Lisa, your haibun touched me. I don’t know what I would do in your place, but you have given me a vivid idea of what it would be like. The haiku emphasises the emotion of this powerful piece.
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Thank you so much, Kim , for your lovely comment ✨❤️✨
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My pleasure, Lisa.
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🩵❤️💞
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Lisa, this is breathtaking in its honesty. The waterfall metaphor holds so much weight—grief as surrender, as plunge, as transformation. Thank you for letting us witness your fall and your strength.
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Thank you so much for your kind words, and for your understanding
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Heartbreaking. The fall metaphor is so well executed. I hope writing this brought you some peace.
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Thank you so much. Yes, writing about my experience does bring some peace, and I appreciate your kindness.
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I love how the movement of the poem matches. The subject matter begins upon high and just begins to roll. Absolutely stunning.
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Thank you, Aaron ✨🩵✨
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I can feel the panic still. You are a remarkable woman, Lisa. And you are right where you are supposed to be. (hugs)
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Thank you Violet. I honestly don’t think I would have made it without you and the others on WordPress. You guys have got me through
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A wonderful haibun because of the excellent writing. Also, being widowed now for 15 years (unbelievable that it’s so long!) I can relate.
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Thank you so much and I am so sorry you have experienced these emotions. I’m sure no amount of time is enough to dull the edge of grief 🤍❤️🤍
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That is true. But it’s also true that the beauty and joy of the dearest memories won’t fade either.
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That is beautiful, Rosemary and I’m glad to know this. Thank you 🫂 ❤️
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I have no idea what that would be like, but you have intimated the shock and aloneness clearly, I especially love the haiku – a self allegory.
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Acceptance can be a new beginning.
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You are right, Melissa ❣️✨❤️
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