A new badge for spring
THERE WILL BE NO POETRY CHALLENGE NEXT TUESDAY, MAY 30TH. I WILL BE ON VACATION IN THE MOUNTAINS OF UTAH WITH NO WIFI! The next challenge will be on Tuesday, June 6th.
Happy POETRY Tuesday everyone!
Are you ready to get groovy with your poetry? Then, you’re in the right place! Pull up a chair, and let’s write some poetry.
Image credit: BrainyQuote.com
You can write your poem in one of the three forms defined below:
HAIKU in English
TANKA
HAIBUN
You can do one poem or try to do one of each. It’s up to you – YOUR CHOICE. The instructions follow below:
HOW TO CREATE THE HAIKU in ENGLISH POETRY FORM
Are you new to writing the Haiku in English poetry form? Please read my page, How to Write a Haiku in English.
HOW TO CREATE THE TANKA POETRY FORM
Tanka poems are based on syllable structure much the same way a Haiku is written in the 5/7/5 format.
The Tanka form is easy to create: 5/7/5/7/7 and is a Haiku with two extra lines, of 7 syllables each consisting of five separate lines.
What makes a Tanka different from a Haiku is that the first three lines (5/7/5) are the upper phase. This upper stage is where you create an image in your reader’s mind.
The last two lines (7/7) of a Tanka poem are called the lower phase. Now here is where it gets interesting. The lower stage, the final two lines, should express the poet’s ideas about the image that was created in the three lines above.
Visit Jean Emrich at tankaonline.com Quick Start Guide
CLICK THE LINK TO SEE THE EXAMPLES and to learn how to write a Tanka poem
HOW TO CREATE THE HAIBUN POETRY FORM
NatureWriting.com shares how to write a Haibun poem. Please follow the rules carefully.
Writing Haibun
“The rules for constructing a haibun are simple.
- Every haibun must begin with a title.
- Haibun prose is composed of terse, descriptive paragraphs, written in the
first person singular.
- The text unfolds in the present moment, as though the experience is occurring now rather than yesterday or some time ago. In keeping with the simplicity of the accompanying haiku or tanka poem, all excessive words should be pared down or deleted. Nothing must ever be overstated.
- The poetry never attempts to repeat, quote or explain the prose.
- Instead, the poetry reflects some aspect of the prose by introducing a different step in the narrative through a microburst of detail.
- Thus the poetry is a sort of juxtaposition – seemingly different yet somehow connected.
It is the discovery of this link between the prose and the poetry that offers one of the great delights of the haibun form. The subtle twist provided by an elegantly envisaged link, adds much pleasure to our reading and listening.
Some Common Forms of Modern Haibun
1. The basic unit of composition– one paragraph and one poem
Idyll
We guide our canoe along the shores of beautiful Lake Esquagama. It is nine o’clock at night on this evening of the summer solstice. As the sun begins to dim the lake becomes still as glass. Along the shore, forests of birch are reflected in its mirrored surface, their ghostly white trunks disappearing into a green canopy. The only sound is a splash when our bow slices the water. We stop to rest the paddles across our knees, enjoying the peace. Small droplets from our wet blades create ever-widening circular pools. Moving on, closer to the fading shore, we savour these moments.
quiet
as a feather
on the breeze
the distant call
of a loon
2. The prose envelope – prose, then poem, then prose
Echoes of Autumn
I walk quietly in the late afternoon chill, birdsong silent, foliage deepened into shade, a rim of orange over darkening hills.
through soft mist
the repeated call
of one crow
Reaching the gate then crossing the threshold I breathe the scent of slow-cooking, the last embers of a fire, red wine poured into gleaming crystal, the table – set for two …
3. Poem then prose
(Rather than begin with a single tanka, I wrote a tanka set or sequence, followed by the prose. In contemporary haibun writing, the poems are occasionally presented in couplets or in longer groups).
The Road to Longreach
the coastal fringe
of green and blue
disappears
behind the gateway
to the outback
wheat, sorghum
and cotton stubble
glistens
in the autumn sun
as hawks patrol above
sunflowers
faces to the sky
the last blaze of colour
in the dryland’s
barren outlook
brown soil
of the rural strip
surrenders to
brick red, burnt ochre
of the open range
beyond
and further out –
in orange dust
a single cornstalk
displays its tassel
Days pass as we move through the desolate landscape, carved into two parts by the road we travel on, a continual ribbon drawing us straight ahead into its vanishing point, where only spinifex grass and saltbush lies between us and our destination.
4. The verse envelope — poem, prose, then poem
Winter Magic
silver light
thick hoar-frost
covers the window
Ice shapes resembling small fir trees stretch across the glass, while delicate snow flowers sparkle around them. Lost in its beauty, I move through this crystal garden as my warm fingers trace up and down, leaving a smudged pathway.
Mother’s voice interrupts, “Susan, come away from that cold window and get dressed or the school bus will leave without you!”
burning hoop pine
scent of a warm kitchen
oatmeal with brown sugar
5. Alternating prose and verse elements
The Sentinel
I climb round and round close to the outside wall, to avoid the railing where the stair treads narrow about their central post. A semi-circular platform rests high above. Its glass windows provide a sweeping view. Counting the last few steps, I finally reach the top of the Moreton Bay Lighthouse, where I gaze in awe at the ocean below.
the rising sun
an endless pathway
of molten gold
Outside the lighthouse, lamp is rotating. I disengage it as there is no need for its warning light. Now the bold red and white stripes of the lighthouse itself will become the beacon. I study the turbulence of the deep waters churning the rocky shore below. The subtle changes in the wind, waves, and tides are entered in my log book – these brief markers of the ever-transforming seascape that surrounds me.
ebb tide
a foot print shelters
one tiny crab”
Here are some great sites that will help you write your poetry and count syllables.
For Synonyms and Antonyms. When your word has too many syllables, find one that works.
Find out how many syllables each word has. I use this site for all my Haiku and Tanka poems. Click on the “Poetry Workshop” tab to create your Haiku or Tanka.
THE RULES
I will publish the Tuesday prompt post at 12: 03 A.M. Mountain Standard Time (Denver
Time). That should give everyone time to see the prompt from around the world.
WRITE YOUR POEM ON YOUR BLOG as a post.
How Long Do You Have and Your Deadline: You have a week to complete the Challenge with a deadline of Monday at 12:00 P.M. (Noon)
Denver time, U. S. A. This will give me a chance to add the links from everyone’s poem post from the previous week, on the new prompt I send out on Tuesday. I urge everyone to visit the blogs and comment on everyone’s poem.
The rules are simple.
I will give you two words that you need to use (in some form) in the writing of your poetry. This will be a challenge in writing your Haibun poem. Follow the rules carefully.
The two words can be used in any way you would like to use them. Words have different definitions, and you can use the definitions you like. Feel free to use synonyms for the words when the poetry form calls for it.
LINK YOUR BLOG POST TO MINE WITH A PINGBACK. To do a Pingback: Copy the URL (the HTTP:// address of my post) for the current week’s Challenge and paste it into your post. You may also place a copy of your URL of your post in the comments of the current week’s Challenge post.
Because of the time difference between where you are, and I am, you might not think your link is there. I manually approve all links. People participating in the challenge may visit you and comment or “like” your post. I also need at least a Pingback or a link in the comments section to know you took part and to include you in the Weekly Review section of the new prompt on Tuesday.
BE CREATIVE. Use your photos and create “Visual POETRY” if you wish, although it is not necessary. Use whatever program you want to make your images.
As time permits, I will visit your blog, comment, and TWEET your POETRY
If you add these hashtags to your post TITLE (depending on which poetry form you use) your poetry may be viewed more often:
#Haiku, #Tanka, #micropoetry, #poetry, #5lines, #Haibun, #Prose
If you haven’t set up your blog to share to Twitter, you should. Click HERE to learn how to link your blog to Twitter. It is an excellent way to meet other poets and share your work.
You may copy the badge I have created to go with the Weekly Poetry Challenge Post and place it in your post:
HERE’S WHO JOINED US LAST WEEK FOR OUR 34th POETRY CHALLENGE USING THE WORDS – Power & Allure: (Please make sure to visit the other participants. We learn from each other. <3)
Colleen’s Weekly #Poetry Challenge # 34 – POWER & ALLURE – Ladyleemanila
How I look at it – Reena Saxena
Sun power – Jane Dougherty Writes
Colleens weekly #poetry #challenge : power & allure tanka | Two on a Rant
Colleen’s Weekly #Poetry Challenge # 34 – POWER & ALLURE – Mick E Talbot Poems
Colleen’s Weekly Poetry Challenge #34 Power & Allure | Annette Rochelle Aben
Colleen’s Weekly #Poetry Challenge #34 Power & Allure
A New Poetry Challenge – [135/365] – Rambling Kori
questions unanswered | rivrvlogr
Power & Allure | thoughts and entanglements
Everything You Need (a Tanka) | Darkness of His Dreams
Colleen’s Poetry Challenge – 34 – The Bag Lady
Power & Allure – A Haiku/Nosaintaugustine
Colleen’s Weekly Poetry Challenge #34 Power & Allure (Tanka)/Stuff & What If
Tanka – Power & Allure | radhikasreflection
SIMPLE PLEASURES | Sweet aroma
Stooping to conquer – Playing with words
A Haiku Micro-anthology: Dew – Mick E Talbot Poems
Self | Sue Vincent’s Daily Echo
“The Return” – A Haibun – Colleen Chesebro ~ Fairy Whisperer
Colleen’s Weekly #Poetry Challenge # 34 – POWER & ALLURE | K Y R O S M A G I C A
Haibun: My dream to fly – My Feelings My Freedom
Lunar Rays | method two madness
Echoes from the Before Time: Haibun | Yesterday and today: Merril’s historical musings
This week’s Poet of the Week is Rugby 483, from her blog called, The Bag Lady. She wrote a haiku that hit the spot for me. The brevity of the words she chose told the story. Here’s what I loved about it:
Close your eyes after you have read the Haiku. Can you see your version of the woman standing there projecting absolute power in her beauty and allure? That is what a Haiku does for me. It captures a moment in time and flashes a quick image in my mind.
She was unaware
Of her absolute allure
Giving her power
© 2017 Rugby483, The Bag Lady
Here are the two words for this week’s challenge: PAST & FUTURE
(any forms of the words AND don’t forget to use synonyms)
There are many different meanings to these words. Have fun and experiment. If the prompt words don’t Inspire you… write a POEM based on the photo BELOW:
Image credit: Pixabay.com
https://rantingalong.wordpress.com/2017/05/23/colleens-weekly-poetry-challenge-35-past-future-tanka/
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Loved this one, Colleen! I’ll write another one next week since you won’t be around. I’m assuming it’s May 30th not June you mean. And you’ll be without wifi not without wife as I read first and felt even more confused…
https://janedougherty.wordpress.com/2017/05/23/on-the-edge/
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Reblogged this on ladyleemanila and commented:
Colleen’s poetry challenge 🙂
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These are words I write about a lot, in my rambles through history. 🙂 I have a book manuscript deadline, but I’ll try to get a poem in for your challenge. I guess though we have two weeks–and you’ll be away May 30, not June? Have a lovely vacation!
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https://reinventionsreena.wordpress.com/2017/05/23/convoluted-thoughts/
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https://reinventionsreena.wordpress.com/2017/05/23/clocks-n-calendars/
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https://reinventionsreena.wordpress.com/2017/05/23/unhinged/
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Your poetry is always a delight, Colleen. Mega hugs.
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Thanks Annette. Hugs. ❤️
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http://wp.me/p4ayEo-2aK My short link, in case the ping back doesn’t work
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Anything that gets me out into nature has to be a good hobby. Here’s my link: http://wp.me/p8GM4F-5J
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have a lovely holiday, Colleen 🙂
https://ladyleemanilablog.wordpress.com/2017/05/23/colleens-weekly-poetry-challenge-35-past-future/
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Very educative piece on poetry! Just learnt lots of stuff!!
I voted for you!!!
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Thanks, Jerry. I found you and followed you on Twitter. Now for your blog. Join in if you want to write some Haiku, Tanka, or a Haibun. ❤️
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Thanks Colleen. I will certainly join! I like poetry!!
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Excellent! Looking forward to it. ❤
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Hi Colleen, how do I join the weekly poetry challenge? I visited your blog but could not find any lead. Thanks.
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Look for my challenge post. The prompt words are future and past. Then, write your poem and do a ping back to me. That’s it. Glad you’re here.
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OK thanks Colleen. Glad to be here!
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Thanks for the poetry lesson, Colleen! I had know idea about how tankas and haibuns were constructed. Bookmarking for the future!
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Yes! I hope you’ll give it a try. You’re a great writer. ❤
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Aww, you’re sweet, I’m poetry challenged…could maybe knock out a bawdy limerick or two, lol!
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Ha! LOL! That would be great and eye opening! 😜
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Here’s mine.. not a Haiku, I think. Probably a Senryu based on the subject matter.. but I could be over thinking it (I do that sometimes!)
https://darknessofhisdreams.wordpress.com/2017/05/23/now-a-senryu/
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Safe Harbor – haibun
https://rivrvlogr.wordpress.com/2017/05/24/safe-harbor/
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Have a wonderful vacation in the mountains of Utah. ❤
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Thanks, Viva. We’re excited. ❤️
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https://suzhalgal.wordpress.com/2017/05/24/haiku-35-past-future/
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Time (haiku) http://wp.me/p8nSFo-1eK
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Enjoy your mountain trip!
Is it OK to write more than one poem? As in one a haiku and another a tanka, etc?
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Yes! Let the inspiration flow. 😍
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Hey Colleen, just posted my challenge, here’s the link
http://www.jerriperri.com/haiku/
It’s the second haiku I have ever written. The first was just written! After reading your post, ” How to write haiku in English”, I felt confident of doing a haiku, but I would done better with a haibun!
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Hi Colleen. Hope you have a wonderful holiday next week. https://odaciuk.wordpress.com/2017/05/25/colleens-weekly-poetry-challenge-35-past-future/
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Hi Colleen, Enjoy your holiday!
My first attempt at writing a Haibun. Do give me your feedback!
https://radhikasreflection.wordpress.com/2017/05/27/haibun-gift-of-now/
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https://methodtwomadness.wordpress.com/2017/05/27/time-zones/
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Enjoy your vacation Colleen, I know what you mean about the mountains:)
Pat
https://thoughtsandentanglements.wordpress.com/2017/05/27/past-future/
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Late and not very upbeat, https://merrildsmith.wordpress.com/2017/06/04/survivor-sun-and-moon/
I hope you’re having a glorious vacation, Colleen!
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