Hi! Welcome to my contribution to my weekly #Tanka Tuesday challenge. This week, I tweaked the prompt word of “change” to “alter,” and I let “beauty” stay the same. Both words have many connotations and can modify the meaning of your Tanka poetry in many ways. Don’t be afraid to experiment with synonyms. Sometimes the most subtle meanings pack the most punch in your poetry.
At the beginning of the year, my mind is filled with the reflections of my life from the past year. The prompt words spoke to me this week. How about you?
Don’t forget to join in and share your #Tanka #Poem using the words: beauty and change!
Alter your thinking –
to seek inherent beauty,
is change essential?
An attitude adjustment
overcomes my fate.
Colleen M. Chesebro is a Michigan Poet who loves crafting syllabic poetry, flash fiction, and creative fiction and nonfiction. Colleen sponsors a weekly syllabic poetry challenge, called #TankaTuesday, on wordcraftpoetry.com where participants learn how to write traditional and current forms of syllabic poetry. A published author, Colleen is also an editor of “Word Weaving, a Word Craft Journal of Syllabic Verse, also found on wordcraftpoetry.com. Colleen’s mission is to bring the craft of writing syllabic poetry to anyone who thinks they can’t be a poet.
Recently, she created the Double Ennead, a 99-syllable poetry form for the Carrot Ranch literary community at carrotranch.com. Colleen’s poetry has appeared in various anthologies and journals including “Hedgerow-a journal of small poems,” and “Poetry Treasures1 & 2” a collection of poetry from the poet/author guests of Robbie Cheadle on the “Treasuring Poetry” blog series on “Writing to be Read."
Colleen published “Word Craft: Prose & Poetry, The Art of Crafting Syllabic Poetry,” which illustrates how to write various syllabic poetry forms used in her Tanka Tuesday challenges; and a collection of poetry, flash fiction, and short stories called, “Fairies, Myths & Magic: A Summer Celebration,” dedicated to the Summer Solstice. She contributed a short story called “The Changeling,” in the “Ghostly Rites Anthology 2020,” published by Plaisted Publishing House.
Find Colleen at Word Craft: Prose & Poetry at wordcraftpoetry.com.
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Colleen M. Chesebro—Prose Metrist
Crafting Syllabic Poetry is my Ikigari 💜
One day, I stumbled across the Japanese word Ikigari. After some research, I discovered iki means life. In Japanese, Gai means worth or value. When these words combine, they form the definition of ikigari, which is life’s worth. It’s often translated or interpreted as a reason for getting up in the morning. So, yes, writing syllabic poetry is my ikigari.
I also believe writing syllabic poetry strengthens our writing skills. When we create poetry, we gain command of language; cultivate a healthy vocabulary, master literary devices such as metaphor, simile, alliteration, hyperbole, and allegory. We learn to work in imagery. We connect with our ikigari.
When I’m not writing poetry or crafting short stories, you’ll find me digging in my garden, or playing with my two unicorn cats, Chloe & Sophie. I live in East Lansing, Michigan with my husband—my soul mate. Most days you can find me writing poetry on wordcraftpoetry.com. 💜
New Book Promotion for Marjorie Mallon - The Hedge Witch and the Musical Poet - Poems and Flash Fiction https://dgkayewriter.com/2022/08/19/new-book-promotion-for-marjorie-mallon-the-hedge-witch-and-the-musical-poet-poems-and-flash-fiction/ via @pokercubster
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August Specific Form: Yvette
August Photo Prompt: Reena
August Theme Prompt: Sarah
Wow, that was great, Colleen! A quote tanka!!!
LOL! I worked on this one to get my feelings just right. I’m glad you liked it. Reflection is good for the soul. <3
Your feelings must be in perfect order again. Brilliant, Colleen!
This is an absolutely wonderful Tanka poem, Colleen! Well done! It sounded a bit philosophical to me, which I really like to find in a poem. 🙂
Thank you. That’s what I was hoping for. I’m so glad you got that reflection and looking back part. It’s all part of my quest toward growth. <3
Let’s hear it for the attitude adjustment! <3
Thanks to you my friend. I knew you would get this! LOL! 😀
Another marvelous truth!
I see in your Tanka that you are considering “being” rather than “doing” . This at the core of my personal philosophy. <3
Pingback: Colleen’s Weekly #Tanka #Poetry Challenge #16 – BLOOM & LATE – Colleen Chesebro ~ Fairy Whisperer
Wise thoughts:)