Breath Poem by Chen-ou Liu

A Haibun

slanted sunlight
through the window
reading death poems

My father doesn't talk about death because he cares more about leaving behind a good reputation. My mother is skilled at evading death-talk because she is afraid of severing the ties with her loved ones. My older brother doesn't care about death because he thinks he is strong enough to face all challenges head on and head strong. My younger brother doesn't mention death at all because he is busy enjoying life, here and now. I often think about death

first sunrise…
pulling out a patch
of gray hair