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: favin.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 36th POETRY CHALLENGE USING THE WORDS – HAPPY & SAD: (Please make sure to visit the other participants. We learn from each other. <3)
I am not Gautam Buddha – Reena Saxena
Spellwork, a haiku – nosaintaugustine
Colleen’s Weekly Poetry Challenge happy & sad/Two on a Rant
Content (Senryu) | Darkness of His Dreams
Colleen’s Weekly #Poetry Competition #36 Happy & Sad
All your gifts – Playing with words
Colleen’s Weekly Poetry Challenge #36 Happy & Sad | Annette Rochelle Aben
Happy & Sad | thoughts and entanglements
Colleen’s Weekly #Poetry Challenge # 36 – HAPPY & SAD – Mick E Talbot Poems
Bleeding heart (Tanka) Colleen’s weekly poetry challenge#36-happy-sad – Uniquesus
Colleen’s Weekly #Poetry Challenge # 36 – HAPPY & SAD | M J Mallon Author
Be happy not sad. | The Syllabub Sea
Tanka: The Moon and my Heart – My Feelings My Freedom
The Selkie’s Lament: Haibun | Yesterday and today: Merril’s historical musings
This week’s Poet of the Week is Sarah, from her blog called By Sarah. I enjoyed her Haiku called, Crimson for a couple of reasons. The simplicity of her words was refreshing – like a glass of wine! Second, she conveyed the opposites (the pivot) of happy and sad into something we could relate to. I also like the touch of no capitalization. That helps to convey a touch of whimsey to her words. Besides that, I love wine! LOL! ❤
how happy my soul
a glass of crimson red wine
how sad, when it’s gone!
By Sarah ©2017
Here are the two words for this week’s challenge: Veil & Smoke
(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
Thank you Colleen! So rapt to be your ‘Poet of the Week’. I’ll celebrate with a wine, I think! 🍷
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes! Perfect, Sarah. Good job! ❤️
LikeLike
Thoughts about getting older
https://rantingalong.wordpress.com/2017/06/13/colleens-weekly-poetry-challenge-37-smoke-veil/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Colleen,
My entry this week :
https://radhikasreflection.wordpress.com/2017/06/13/haibun-magic-at-the-mountains/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sarah’s haiku made me chuckle!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too! I thought she did great! ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s why you featured her… and I agree 💖
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely prompt, Colleen. Thank you 🙂
https://janedougherty.wordpress.com/2017/06/13/polished-beads/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful prompt words this week, Colleen. I’ll join in later. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great prompt! Mine is misty, since I haven’t yet had my coffee. Here is my link:http://wp.me/p8GM4F-cr
LikeLiked by 1 person
http://wp.me/p4ayEo-2d6 My short link in case the ping back does not work
LikeLiked by 1 person
Some fabulous prompt words again this week Colleen. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Colleen. I wrestled with this one until the image was created and then in just flowed. https://odaciuk.wordpress.com/2017/06/13/colleens-weekly-poetry-challenge-37-smoke-veil/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good for you Olga. Glad you stuck with it! ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Colleen. That what a challenge is about. Never give up! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Stretch those wings! 😁🦋
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
wakey wakey
https://rivrvlogr.wordpress.com/2017/06/14/warmth-of-morning-fire/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Colleen- I am new here- just stumbled across your site and happy I did! Here is my Haiku using Smoke & Veil:
https://charmedchaos.com/category/haiku/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Welcome my charmed friend. Glad to see you here. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you- looking forward to visiting often!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, please. The challenge runs every Tuesday. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have it bookmarked!
LikeLike
Hello Everyone,
Here is my entry for this week…..a little late, but I am glad I made it.
https://thoughtsandentanglements.wordpress.com/2017/06/15/smoke-veil/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Still trying to figure this out…
https://methodtwomadness.wordpress.com/2017/06/16/conjuring/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for another fun prompt!
https://syllabubsea.wordpress.com/2017/06/16/obscuring-reality/
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so grateful for how your educating us on the forms of poetry, and helpful links. THANK YOU!
LikeLiked by 2 people
You are so welcome. I love this stuff. ❤️❤️❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
A bit late, but another Haibun. Wonderful prompt words this week. 🙂
https://merrildsmith.wordpress.com/2017/06/18/star-spirit-haibun/
LikeLiked by 1 person
https://priyankagupta2597.wordpress.com
LikeLiked by 1 person