December 21, 2017, Carrot Ranch Literary Community prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) include white flowers in your story. This is a repeat prompt, but one that has an ability to be emotive. Humor, drama, irony — go wherever the white flowers lead.
Respond by December 26, 2017 (Happy Boxing Day!) to be included in the compilation (published December 27). Rules are here. All writers are welcome!
They were at it again. Their voices rose to a crescendo of anger so thick she felt it smothering her from afar. A knot of fear twisted in her gut. She snuggled into her bed trying to blot out their hurtful words. She knew there would be no Christmas this year, not when they were drunk.
“Well, she’s not a puppy. I can’t just drown her!”
She searched for the safe place in her mind; the field of white flowers where she played as a child. There she was safe. The fairies beckoned to her, and she sensed love.
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.
That line “…no Christmas this year…” puts into perspective that the holidays can be cruel times. The safe place offers escape, and later, I think, gifts. Poignant flash, Colleen!
I’m always looking for the yin and yang. The light and dark are where the stories lie. I sound like a Star Wars guru but that place is where stories are born. Life lessons too! <3
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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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So sad, Colleen and powerful. Thanks.
Sometimes we have to embrace those bad memories, face them, then let them go. It’s all part of the healing. Writing is liberation. <3
It’s a terrible thing, well told.
Thank you. It’s pretty raw for this time of year but truth always is. <3
It’s powerful and potent and sadly a fact of life for many. Well told.
Kind of raw, but that’s how it is sometimes. Thanks for reading. <3
My pleasure.
Marvelous!
Sad but true for many kids… <3
What a powerful piece of writing Colleen. Amazing. 🙂
Thanks, Marje. 😘❤️
Oh God, so touching and powerful. Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones Colleen.
Thank you. Merry Christmas to you, also. <3
So sad, Colleen, for so many needing an escape route to somewhere safer than their reality. Well told.
Thanks, Norah. A hard subject to write about. ✨💕✨
It is, but you did it well, Colleen.
Thanks, Norah. It’s that empathic nature! <3
That line “…no Christmas this year…” puts into perspective that the holidays can be cruel times. The safe place offers escape, and later, I think, gifts. Poignant flash, Colleen!
I’m always looking for the yin and yang. The light and dark are where the stories lie. I sound like a Star Wars guru but that place is where stories are born. Life lessons too! <3
That’s where stories come from! You can’t have the light without the dark.
Exactly. ❤️
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