The east side of Chicago would be Lake Michigan, the most beautiful side of Chicago which I prefer experiencing from a dry distance since I can’t swim and I have no intention to learn. Hopefully this makes the city itself happy knowing that when I walk along the lakefront I prefer her beautiful arms.
WATER WAVINESS
TEASES ME WITH SUMMER’S HEAT
WINTER’S CHILLY TOUCH
Text: Linked to dVerse Haibun Monday. Bjorn hosts with the theme of “water”. Come join us writing haibun.
Photo: “Chicago from Navy Pier” by the author.
Announcement: Christopher Fielden has accepted my story, “Keeping His Cool”, as Story 62 in Chris’s Colossal Cliche Count Writing Challenge, a 150-word-max humorous flash fiction challenge with the goal of using as many cliches as one can cram into that restricted space and hopefully still writing a readable story.
First congrats for the story acceptance.. great news. Secondly I love how you appreciate the lake from dry land… I think most of us (even avid swimmers) prefer the soil in the long run.
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The water is beautiful both being in it and on shore. I think one can see more on land by not feeling it so much. Thanks, Bjorn!
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I like that you compared the dry land with arms.
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It does seem like walking in the arms of a forest or a city. Thank you!
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Oh my goodness….”I prefer her beautiful arms”. That line itself is spectacular.
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Thank you, Toni! I was looking for something to say about the lake and also found something to say about the shore.
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Sometimes just looking at the water is enough. Cooling and beautiful.
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Viewing the water can be done from a position of calm. One can see more. Thank you, Sarah!
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Deep sighs every time you post a picture of The Lake.
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I am glad it brings back memories, Jilly! Thank you!
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I love this Frank!
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Thank you, Annell!
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Spectacular! And congratulations too.
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Thank you, Jane!
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🙂
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A lake with beautiful arms – wonderful, Frank., as is ‘water waviness’!
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Thank you, Kim! Waves and arms to seem to go together.
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So lovely Frank. And congratulations on the story acceptance!
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Thank you! I’ve found Chris Fielden’s challenges fun to write for.
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I’ll have to check it out. 😊
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Congrats on the acceptance ~ Such a lovely view to walk and admire the city ~
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Navy Pier is one of the centers of tourist traffic. It provides a nice view of the city and the lake. Thanks, Grace!
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I am struck by the beautiful arms too – a gorgeous description.
And congrats too on the acceptance!
Anna :o]
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Thank you, Anna! Walking along the lakefront parks is like being in Chicago at its best.
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You’re such a multi-talent fellow–it’s a joy to be in your company. The Great Lakes are cool. We have the inland sea, Puget Sound here in WA. Some of us are poor swimmers; taught ourselves–surely you can dog paddle.
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I can swim for a few yards, I suppose, but my motions are not efficient and I would tire too quickly. What I normally do is wade out until waist height and then bend my legs so it looks like I am in deeper water than I really am. Thanks, Glenn!
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Beautiful! And congratulations too!
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Thank you! Fielden’s challenges and annual contests are currently my favorite place for humorous flash fiction.
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I am learning a lot from you!
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I think I understand. Even though I swim… and grew up in the City of Lakes… Chicago’s lakefront is not a place I would want to go for wading. Maybe the Michigan side… but only on a really quiet day.
Beautiful city photo, though!
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There are some beaches, but much of the lakefront is not easy to use for wading as you mention. I am glad you like the photo. It was the first time I tried a panorama shot with my phone. Thanks, Charley!
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You are welcome!
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Congratulations on your story acceptance. I appreciate the confessional quality of this haibun. Great photo!
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Thanks, Frank! It does give a view of how I feel walking along the lakefront. I’m glad you liked the photo.
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The simplicity of your Haibun complements the photo so well. Taken together, they could be the haibun equivalent of haiga!
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“this makes the city itself happy” really “lands” this! I loved that.
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I like to personify nature and environments. I think Ruskin called this the “pathetic fallacy” in the 19th century and argued against it, but I like to think of the city itself as being happy because of how I might or might not relate to it. Thanks!
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Getting both summer and winter in was brilliant. Good one!
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Thank you! Water can help one experience the heat and the cold in interesting ways.
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Congratulations on your story acceptance Frank !You deserve it
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Thank you, Ben!
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Great contrast in your haiku. Nice all around, Frank!
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I am glad you them!
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“I prefer her beautiful arms.” oh… this is beautiful!
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Thank you, Maria! Those arms are far better than the lake.
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Congrats on the acceptance for the Flash piece Frank. I too like the idea of ‘her arms holding’ you.
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Thank you, Paul! The arms personify the experience and there may be human arms there as well if only metaphorically.
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Loved the honesty couched in humor and a touch of beauty.
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Thank you, Sabio! I really can’t swim very far in that water.
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Ascribing the sense of touch to the elements brings them every so closer. I enjoyed this.
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They are very close and personal. Thank you, Vivian!
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You’re welcome!
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Lovely, Frank. I don’t like to swim although I can. I am also allergic to sea water.
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I hear sea water is supposed to be good for you, but I can imagine one could be allergic to it. There are also sharks there. Thank you, Robbie!
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Lovely, Frank. How beautiful the water and how beautiful the arms of land.
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Yes. They are both beautiful. My preference is for the arms of the land, but the beauty of the water I cannot deny. Thank you, Jane!
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Hmm.. i tend to sink more than
swim.. Heavy Bones i guess.. hehe..
and as far as running goes it seems
to me now that should be preserved
(even though i did it decades before)
for flight
instead
of fight..
And true.. if Michael
Flatley kept his bones
closer to the Earth he
would probably still be
dancing now.. hmm.. what
we come to desire now
with culture
is
often
a jump
or swim too high..
And oh Lord that Driving
is the craziest thing ever
And of course i do it too..
but swim and run no
no longer required for me..;)
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I no longer have to swim although I wade in the water during vacations up to my waste. Thanks, Fred!
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Hmm.. Biloxi Beaches
not too inviting for waist
wading deep to me.. a little
too Mouth of the Mississippi
Dead Zone Gulf to me but
sure always
pleasurable
at Navarre
Beach when
“Jaws” is not out
and about swimming our way..;)
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Sharks are a good excuse not to go in the water.
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🙂
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