Michel, his mother and his aunt had just visited the Academie Francais. It was a present for passing his exams and he was allowed to buy a comic at the newstand opposite the entrance. Suddenly there was an explosion and a blast of hot air slammed into their backs. A man on his cycle fell off and another jumped into the channel of the Seine to escape. Meanwhile others raced off anywhere to get away. Injured people crawled about crying and Michel's aunt had lost her hearing and was pressing her ears. He looked back at the building and gendarmes were gathered stopping and checking everyone as suspects. His mother then said "Our best chance is to cross the river and catch the Metro at "Le Pont Neuf" that will link with ours".
He clutched his comic
He had bought at the newstand
As the smoke fumes cleared
Image found at https://www.wikiart.org/en/andre-kertesz/clock-of-the-acadamie-francaise-paris-1932
Michel, his mother and aunt are the threesome just starting to walk across the bridge you can see from the clockface of the Academie Francaise.
I am always charmed by a photo that gives rise to an imaginative tale. Thanks for your participation, Robin.
ReplyDeleteThis is incredibly vivid.. you brought the picture to life!
ReplyDeleteVivid and sadly the reality of our times...
ReplyDeleteIt's sad that every bridge we encounter becomes incrementally unsafe on an almost daily basis, isn't it.
ReplyDeleteGreat Haibun, this. Salute!
You created a very vivid scene from the picture prompt. Nice!
ReplyDeleteYou have made me want to know more of this story, which could be woven into a novel, I think! Smiles.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a frieghtening thing to happen.
ReplyDeleteYes, a tale reminiscent of attacks on the news. Very well done, Robin. The mother kept her cool.
ReplyDeleteYou included so much detail in this, Robin: the comic they bought at the newsstand opposite the entrance, the man who fell off his bicycle and the gendarmes, as well as the mother's decision to '...cross the river and catch the Metro at "Le Pont Neuf"'
ReplyDeleteAnd interesting mix of prose and poetry. Not a haibun and not a haiku but vivid and full of facets that bring this picture to light.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a different write for you. I loved it though it was almost too close to reality. But you captured the suspense, the plausible reaction of those who experience such a scene. Bravo!
ReplyDeleteBeautifully told.
ReplyDeleteA fabulous job on this stunning haibun. You carried me along from start to finish - particularly, I think, because your haiku dovetailed so beautifully with your prose piece ... without simply restating what was already expressed, previously. I always appreciate a well-written haiku which, carries the narrative forward.
ReplyDeletePanic stations when a blast is triggered off! It used to be a natural thing but now it is man-made with all the suicide bombers having their day!
ReplyDeleteHank
You make us a part of the tale you weave. Love all the details that make it so.
ReplyDeleteSkillfully crafted haibun
ReplyDeleteMuch♥️love
We had this happen at a school down the road three weeks ago. This young man has two guns, he killed 10 people and injured 13. And yes there were young people afraid but doing what they thought would be right.
ReplyDelete..
this is such a different write from you.
ReplyDeleteso vivid and so detailed. a grim reminder of the stark reality of our times.
terrific haibun.
powerful. What a moment you created, immedieate and full of feeling.
ReplyDeleteWell done Robin - sadly a story of our today's.
ReplyDeleteI am glad he had his comic for comfort, a bit of innocence to cling to.
Anna :o]
When will these horrific events end? When will people learn to live together in peace and harmony?
ReplyDelete