Postcard poetry: Soho square

Published on by Laura Bloomsbury

soho square haibun

A June afternoon and Soho square is packed with people, lounging, lunching, scattering themselves like litter over the grass. Pigeons rest up – too hot for canoodling. Unwelcome squatters with little regard for the history of the half-timbered gardener’s hut, treating it as a luxurious dovecote , a crow’s nest even as look out for a snatched meal. Through the open doors of St Patrick’s, shade seekers, ecclesiastic enthusiasts and church goers are lured. The latter know it is the feast of the Sacred Heart. Spoken in 3 languages, a mass for the mix of congregation to comprehend whilst a lapsed Catholic has no understanding of how she came to be here this day.

prayers in strange tongues
city doves hum the refrain
June lifts all our hearts

A haibun written as a Quotidian – an ordinary happening – for dVerse Poet’s Pub

22 thoughts on “Postcard poetry: Soho square”

  1. Oh this was wonderful… love the thought of the mix of people actually… maybe paying too much respect would have destroyed it also, after all the church should be a part of the world, not apart.

    1. hence the word ‘catholic’!
      (thanks for letting me know of prob with commenting on this post – had not noticed)

  2. A great moment.. sometimes just the energy of a place, faith or its absence notwithstanding, creates a beautiful feeling of peace and hope.

    1. this church has that – good place to take a break from Mammon on way back from Oxford St shopping!

  3. I enjoyed the snapshot of the place – the birds, the people and the church ~ That must have been difficult to follow with all 3 languages, smiles ~ This line made me smile:

    Pigeons rest up – too hot for canoodling

    1. full of grace this church whatever the language! even the pigeons were celibate 😉

  4. The contrasts between the devout and non; works well and leaves your reader wondering at which side of the fence the narrator resides, at heart. Well done!

    1. thank you for your observations about the contrasts Jilly – I think narrator is between pillar and post!

  5. Your words really capture this place. I like your description of the irreverence at a reverent spot. Such is life, no?

  6. Oh how I enjoyed this. Like true snapshots of people, the place, the birds…the rest from the world and it’s hectic pace. And with all going on, there is hope and peace here.

    1. many thanks – I found your challenge challenging but enjoyable – still trying to get the hang of haiku but simple ease is the hardest thing to do

      1. I read the other day that a haiku was the blending of the finite with the infinite, the here and the now. I found that a lovely explanation. Just keep nature in it and you will do fine. The lines can be 5-7-5 or short-long-short (ncounted) whichever is easiest for you.

  7. Wonderful indeed — I loved following you here. Snapshots, cameos of life on the corner. I especially love how the haiku adds to the mix…..very well done!

    1. thank you for coming across Lillian with such a lovely comment too

  8. I love the feel of this–as an on-again Catholic! Having been on both sides of the door–I sometimes ask the birds to pray in my stead. They are just what they should be.

    1. snap Victoria- both sides of the door a good analogy for me. Let the birds sing!

    1. thank you Sarah – such afternoons in the city are magic moments – our summer looks very uncertain so far though

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