Haibun: Cataracts
“You don’t have glaucoma, just cataracts,” my ophthalmologist says cheerfully. Well, at least I’m not going blind, although my sight is clouded. Nighttime is the worst. I can’t even pick out the bright stars that form Ursa Major. The meaning of my restricted vision eludes me. What’s the point of my not seeing clearly the glories of this galaxy? I complain that my irises no longer do what they were designed to do. “Sometimes I feel like I’m looking down a long narrow hall,” I say. “Other times, my sight hits a wall.” My ophthalmologist shrugs. “Presbyopia,” he says. “It happens to all of us as we age.” Small consolation, I think, as I leave his office. I’ve never wanted to be like everyone else.
Spring tranquility—
in the noonday sun cattle
settle down to nap.
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Posted on May 20, 2022, in 5-7-5, haiku, Haiku My Heart, Poets & Storytellers United, Recuerda Mi Corazon, The Whirligig and tagged bluff, bundle, decades, feast, luck, plates, potatoes, rolls, storybook, tablecloth, wine, wrinkled. Bookmark the permalink. 12 Comments.
Magical Mystical Teacher 
my face grows younger
as constellations reseed
small consolation
I don’t want to be like everybody else either. I’ve had similar news from my eye doctor but he says it is going slowly. Things do seem a bit dimmer.
The things we take for granted… I’ll be looking at the world a bit differently today. And I very well may join these noon day cattle in their nap…
Yours is a wonderful Haibun ….
Love that haiku. As Bette Davis said, “Old age ain’t no place for sissies.”
Lovely haiku and I recognize the visual frustration of aging ~ not fun to say the least ~ Xo
Wishing you good health, laughter, and love,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Nicely told, Teach. I just finished playing chauffeur for My Beloved Sandra after her 2nd eye cataract surgery & she’s now glasses-free after being heavily lensed since 3rd grade. She provided the same services for me in Jan-Feb when I also regained my visionary status.
I’m worried, though, that now that we can see each other clearly after almost half a century together, we might not like what we see….
Bon Chance, ma belle amie
One day soon I’ll be like the cows looking to settle for an afternoon nap, lol. I had cataract surgery in both eyes two years ago. The clarity, the colors, delightful. I was nearsighted, now I’m farsighted. I had no idea that would be. Still, I’m glad I had the surgeries. 🙂
Lovewly haibun. And do take heart! Cataract surgery is easy and effective. And may have unexpected benefits! Like Su-sieee’s, mine turned me from lifelong (until then) short-sightedness to long-sightedness, and seems to have got rid of my (previously) lifelong astigmatism too.
* ‘Scuse typo. I meant ‘lovely’ of course. (Cataract surgery does not cure arthritic fingers.)
Lovely haibun. I like how the discussion in the clinic about eye problems contrasts with the the image of the cattle settling down under the noonday sun to nap.
Few things annoy me more than someone (especially a doctor), says to me, “Oh, that’s normal for your situation. It happens to everyone.” Like you, I’ve never cared to be like everyone else. Also, when we are losing part of ourselves, that kind of cheerfulness makes a soul want to growl.
I hope you can get surgery soon.