— View of the church of Saint Paul de Mausole by Vincent van Gogh
~~
The road seemed to stretch for endless miles behind him. On his travels, he had experienced the stunning beauty of mountains and meadows, oceans and brooks. He had enjoyed spending time sketching deer, foxes, and ducks. He had learned a great deal about politics, love, and business, just by striking up conversations with the strangers that he met in the many places that he wandered
The road seemed to stretch for endless miles behind him. Early on in his travels, his feet had blistered, and he had barely been able to keep going, but now instead of blisters, he had callouses that allowed him to roam without pain. When he had set out, he had been so out of shape that he could only walk a few miles at a time, but now his legs were strong, and he had no problems with hiking the entire day with only brief stops for food.
Endless miles stretched before him. His had been a journey of self discovery, and indeed, he had discovered many things. He smiled as he thought about his many experiences…even the difficult ones that had made him a better man than when he had set out. The road was behind him, but now he looked ahead, and tears of joy came to his eyes as he looked upon the place he belongs.
a long dusty trail
gives many joys and sorrows –
the front door of home
Written for dVerse “Haibun Monday” – the prompt was to write something inspired by Van Gogh’s View of the church of Saint Paul de Mausole
Quest for Whirled Peas 
I like that image of the road stretching behind and head of him – which fits in so well with that painting. Well done for embarking on NaPoWriMo – and I really enjoyed this haibun.
A beautiful narrative and your haiku describes so well coming home.
Oh that last line of your haiku.. truly masterful. I love how you have used the image to spur the travel, and the voice of a pilgrim (this fits the poetics prompt as well)… is this not wanderlust?
Honestly, Bjorn, after seeing the poetics prompt, I wasn’t sure which one to link up to!
🙂 if you have the time to read… you can link up on both if you want to.
I love how the journey made him stronger and the ending calls for a celebration, the journey to home ~
I also love how travelling made him richer and more appreciative of nature ~ A lovely haibun Bryan ~
Smiles.. vagabonds.. gypsies..
homeless men and women
and all outcasts and
recluses from the
rest of culture
learn stuff
anew..
and
to really
get to know
and feel them
is something Real
and when they art it
a bird sings life newly
as Nature does now W/
other creatures FREE..:)
This is exceptional. The senryu at the end is perfection. The road ahead and behind and the front door of home. Truly a piece written from the heart.
I love this, Bryan. I like how our traveler becomes stronger and more self assured and learns about many things as he progresses and love how the front door is waiting for him when he’s ready for home.
I agree with Bjorn, you could link this up for both of the prompts!
An insightful journey, indeed. There is a comforting feeling of home in your haiku.
The feeling of belonging to the particular place is well conveyed.