Tanka Tuesday Poetry Challenges

“Hope,” A #Haibun

Colleen M. Chesebro

062517_1904_ColleensWee9.png

Welcome to my contribution to my Weekly #Poetry Challenge, where you can write your own Haiku, Tanka, or Haibun using the prompt words of “mirror and harbor.”

I have decided to write my poetry using the prompt words from my weekly challenge about the Harlem Renaissance since I am a judge in Yecheilyah’s First Poetry Contest. It’s been fun dedicating my poetry to an era that ushered in some of the greatest American poets of our time.

Langston Hughes features prominently in Yecheilayh’s soon to be released book, Renaissance: The Nora White Story. Click HERE to read more about the poets and writers of the Harlem Renaissance and HERE to enter the contest.

Here is an example of a Langston Hughes, poem:

Dreams

By Langston Hughes, 1902 – 1967

Hold fast to dreams

For if dreams die

Life is a broken-winged bird

That cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreams

For when dreams go

Life is a barren field

Frozen with snow.

Poets.org

Image credit: Pinsdaddy.com

I stared into the murky depths of the Harlem River. The breeze blew brisk, and I sniffed the salt in the air. The tide was out, and my reflection wavered on the shallow surface of the harbor emulating my thoughts. Had I made the right decision to leave my home and journey to New York? My only companion, a long-legged loon, stalked his way through the shells and rocks as he poked his beak into the sand. In one swift movement, he had retrieved his lunch, a mussel dangling from his beak. The bird met my staring eyes. The answers to my question were crystal clear. Seek, and ye shall find.

Change is in the air –
fleeing to find our fortunes
our folk stays behind.
Hope is the harbor that binds
and mirrors our Renaissance.

© 2017 Colleen M. Chesebro



Image credit: PCmode.org 1920’s Harlem women


Image credit: Khanacademy.org (The 19th Amendment) 1920’s Musicians

Remember, the best poetry has layers of meaning.


Image credit: wordcandy.me

Write about what others are not talking about… silence speaks volumes.

33 thoughts on ““Hope,” A #Haibun”

  13. Pingback: Colleen’s Weekly #Poetry Challenge # 40 – SUGAR & SPICE – Colleen Chesebro ~ Fairy Whisperer
  15. Pingback: Colleen’s Weekly #Poetry Challenge 41 – #Haiku #Tanka #Haibun: MUSIC & ART – Colleen Chesebro ~ Fairy Whisperer

    1. Thank you. I love the way his prose flowed. It was the non-capitalization that I really loved. He was a rebel in the world of poetry. I loved that era. My grandparents were married in 1920. You should see their wedding photo. ❤

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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