Crafting Poetry One Syllable at a Time
Welcome to the Tanka Tuesday Poetry Recap featuring the work of poets from around the globe. If you would like to participate in this challenge, you can learn the rules in the menu item called Colleen’s Weekly Tanka Tuesday Guidelines.
PLEASE NOTE: Don’t forget to count your syllables. Use this site: howmanysyllables.com. Click on the workshop tab. Then, copy and paste your poem into the box, and click “count syllables” at the bottom.
The Poet of the Week will be published in the 2019 Poet of the Week Anthology, which everyone will be able to grab as a PDF in January 2020.
Each week, I like to highlight a poet who I call the Poet of the Week, who has shared an exceptional message, or shown impassioned creativity through words or form. Poetry is all about perception, so don’t be shocked if you don’t feel the same way about a poem that I do.
This week, I’ve chosen Sally Cronin as the Poet of the Week. Her double Etheree, “From Cave to the Stars,” told the story of humankind and how our writing, and words matter. Not only in the present but on into the future, too.
This double Etheree has great rhythm and flow. When we write the longer forms it’s always best to have a theme, like Sally chose. I also love the emotions expressed in her choice of words. It’s the wordplay that really gets the message across in this poem.
From Cave to the Stars #Double #Etheree
In the beginning we only had voice
to communicate our inner thoughts
and desires within our hearts
until that magical day
of the first cave drawing
and since that moment
we have evolved
and now pen
magic
words
to
express
every
aspect of life
from birth to the grave
and beyond to the stars
where we take our messages
of peace and hope for the future
not language but in digital code
to be received across the universe
Sally Cronin
Night Visions, #Nonet
the matrix of my dream emerges
from dark mirrors, casting outlines
of stories on particles
of air—constellated
points of glittered light
following the
movements of
inner
moons
Kerfe Roig
Flowering Dawn, #Butterfly #Cinquain
A sign
in eastern sky
early rising spring sun
birth of a new season crowning
on the
horizon, a shimmering light
of rays as beauty bursts
forth with lovely
flowers
Linda Lee Lyberg
"Creation", #Etheree
Sage
Woman
Celebrate
Emergence of
Bird of paradise;
A rainbow prominence
Expressive presentation.
Commit to paper miracle
Choreography, nature’s realm, an
Enlightening gift to all humankind.
Hélène - Willow Poetry
New Dawn #Tanka
she scribles memories
as they emerge from the fog
dwindling recall
evident in speech pattern
in twilight, hopes for new dawn
Pat R
This Moment #Shadorma
Create this
draft in words, moments
remembered–
her smile, or
the scent of
coffee, waking you now, but
sending you back then
Merril Smith
"Once Hidden, Escapes", #Double #Etheree
I
Record
My feelings
Until I sense
The true connection
To the words, now fated
On what was but a blank page
Of plain white emptiness; my soul
Once hidden behind the darkened ink
Escapes, to become this glorious light
A fire which I cannot extinguish
The one I wish never to be tamed
For my spirit breathes in the life
Born, to these withering hands
That still continue forth
Never backing down
Until at last
Depleted
I am
Spent
Dorinda Duclos
The Process, #Tanka
Compose, line by line,
From beginning to end
Until its finished:
Every verse, every rhyme, and
Every single drop of blood.
John W. Leys
Biographer #Shadorma
A career
So, a choice was made
Pen in hand
Paper bought
Words right from the horse’s mouth
Non-fiction author
©2019 Annette Rochelle Aben
"Origin & Write" #Tanka
pen touching paper
becomes tentative keystrokes
some shared, others held
always, from the beginning
poetry as therapy
rivrvlogr
Dad is Great #Etheree and #Tanka
Dad,
Is great,
From his birth,
One of a kind,
He likes a challenge,
A dapper gentleman,
Whose impeccable taste shines,
I'd describe him to impress you,
Just like his grandfather before him,
He dazzles all those he meets with his charm.
From the beginning
He was so adventurous,
Now ninety he sings,
Russian songs to our waitress,
For the record - he's handsome!
Marje @ Kyrosmagica
Song #tanka
With the dawning light
Voicing Words of creation
Souls awake to song
For the genesis of stars
Composing eternity
Sue Vincent
Emergent Compassion #TankaProse (#Haibun)
Memoria stone
a genesis of ruin
in every sip
all their raised fists and voices
all of my paralysis
A night so long ago. Her absolute enabled-tongue lashing you to
mindless rage. Her slumped on the stairs, you above her, fists clenched,
driving down. I, a boy of twelve, headlocking you off her. You, a
middle-aged man, breaking free, shoving me against a wall. Then
fleeing our tears.
starless night my knuckle-shaped dent in the panelling
Another night so long ago. Your absolute-enabled tongue eviscerating
my being, until only raw woundedness remains. Me, shoving you
away, grabbing your keys and escaping. Me, backing your car too
quickly out of the driveway, striking the driver’s side front quarter
panel against the basketball hoop’s steel pole.
black sky the sight of the road through tears
Other days and nights not so long ago. Staying by your side through
your terminal illness. Standing vigil until your last breath. Watching
your coffin laid into the ground. Bringing a wreath in winter, and
flowers in summer, to your grave.
daybreak a dove takes flight
memorial stone
inscribed with words from the heart
despite everything
each day I forgive you both
a little more than before
Frank Tassone
"A Newborn in the Family" Double #Etheree
What
A joy
To welcome
Baby Tori
My niece’s first child
Into the family
Eager waiting is over
Magic of baby’s first cry
Cast away worries and doubts in mind
Mother’s painful labor forgotten
Holding and beholding the miracle
Amazed by life’s fresh beginning
Overwhelming excitement
Shared by parents, grandparents
Siblings, aunts and uncles
New page of a book
Invite us all
To pen in
Colored
Stroke
Miriam Hurdle
“An Evening Senryu,” #Senryu
Words- scribbling… scrawling…
confusing web of genius-
horse’s mouth? Bourbon.
Holly Fister
Origin & Write #Haiku
at the muddy source
deer and fox print their passing
telling night stories
Jane Dougherty
Scrawled Poetry #Senryu
Inspiration Dawns,
When My Eyes Gaze Upon You.
Poetry Gets Scrawled…
The Dark Netizen
Dreams, #Haiku
Birthing endless dreams
Soft scribbles on the paper
Never to be reached
Elizabeth
Back to the Source, #Haibun, #Tanka
I sit, pen in hand, and stare into the distance. The spring has gone dry
and the words have failed to flow. But then an image comes to me. Your
image. There was a time when poems sprang to the page motivated by
your eyes and your smile. Can I once more dip in that well, go back to
the root and create something new? I lift my pen to the paper and note
down a few dragging words.
I pen you a verse
Like one at the beginning
When it was still fresh
Inspired by a thought of you
Source of many silly scrawls
Trent P. McDonald
Origin & Write, #Etheree
I
am the
beginning
alpha, the light
I am creation
I am that what I am
never still, I record life
I send a sign to guide the way
Take out your pen, write what you see now
maybe a letter, a poem, just write...
Anita Dawes
Let Me Be Like Grass - #Shadorma
From a seed,
Mere, tiny kernel,
Comes grass, fields.
Freshly mown,
The fields grow lush, beautiful,
Free from old habits.
A winter
Of creative thoughts
Seems daunting.
Keeps haunting.
How can I compose again,
Burdened with pain?
Mow my mind –
Let me be like grass!
Grow anew,
Escape old,
Bring simple delights to all
Who seek the cut field.
H. R. R. Gorman
"can we talk" #Shadorma
can we talk
scribble with our breath
whisper here
something true
which we both already know
on the virgin air?
Dan Julian
Obsession #Senryu
Not willing to stop
I carve my name on your heart
Beginning anew
Tina Stewart Brakebill
You be the Light, #Double #Shadorma
genesis
He saw it was good
this new light
go and share
the answer to the darkness
by it, we can see
you are hope
your words essential
be the light
pen the words
we seek in desperation
dispel the shadows
Donna Matthews
"Roots," #Tanka
Left bare - my roots dried
Below singing her sorrow
Human waste chokes life
She dawns a dress to pen Spring
Disease, it seems, lets it fall
Ethan Dale Eagar
Babble On, # Haibun #Senryu
In the beginning was the Word. So they say. They say the Word was
spoken by the Creator, that speaking was Creation, and the idea was, it
was to be all Good. They say that Creator was the first voices in the head,
but it was scary because Creator was the Author and the Voice and the
characters got confused.
There was give and take. Deals were made; deals were broken. People
needed a lexis to stand on. Books were made. Pages were taken from
books. Words rained and reigned and reined.
The people marveled at the words in their ears and in their hands and
in their power. But because they were not prepared to hear they could
not. Unable to hear, they babbled. Still, they grabbed at sticks and
scratched in the dirt and tried to draw themselves back towards
Creation.
Words the tools we wield
Sharp, blunt, cold; soft, warm, healing;
We create our world
D. Avery @shiftnshake
Are you looking for more writing/poetry/photography challenges?
H.R.R. Gorman has created a comprehensive list on his blog. Click HERE to learn more. ❤
Take some time off. Tomorrow is the new Tanka Tuesday Poetry Challenge. Be ready!
Another week of enthusiastic entries, Colleen. We have great poems here. ❤ ❤
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I agree. It’s like a weekly poetry recital. ❤️
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Exactly, Colleen. Hopefully the entry form makes your recap easier. ❤
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Oh, yes. The contact form is perfect. ❤
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It seems like saving some time and readers can actually read the poems rather than having to click the links. ❤
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I agree. I’m thrilled at how everyone shares. It’s a great way for other poets to read quality work.
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Yes, Colleen. I’m so glad to read all at a glance.
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Another great week, Colleen! Congratulations, Sally! ❤️
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Thank you Dorinda… really delighted..xx
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You’re welcome! xo
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Thanks, Dorinda. Your poem was also meaningful. ❤️
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Thank you, Colleen ❤
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Great entries sis❤️
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Thanks, Sis. 😘❤️
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What a lovely surprise Colleen and thank you so much for the lovely introduction.. I am beyond words (I know not usual)… hugs ♥♥
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You wrote a lovely double Etheree Sally. You words were special to me. ❤️
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That means so much thank you Colleen.. ♥
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You’re very welcome. ❤
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Reblogged this on Smorgasbord Blog Magazine and commented:
Well… a wonderful surprise this morning to find that I am poet of the week in Colleen’s Weekly Poetry Challenge… I have been participating for the last few months and it has revived my love of poetry, not just writing but reading all the wonderful submissions each week… thank you Colleen.
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Congratulations, Sally!
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Thank you Merril..
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Congratulations, Sally. ❤️
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Thanks again Colleen… thrilled…♥
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Well deserved, Sally. ❤
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Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
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Thanks for sharing, ladies. ❤️
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Another fine roundup, Colleen!
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Thanks to all of you, Merril. ❤️
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Well, you do give the prompts and post. 😉
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Oh, that’s easy. LOL! 😀
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Love to read all these poems on Mondays morning, a great burst for creativity!
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Thank you! I’ve got my cup of coffee! 😍❤️
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Excellent roundup. Hope the entry form is working well by now!
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It is such a huge help! Cut and paste is my friend. 😂
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Nice!
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Fantastic bunch of poems Colleen. 🙂 x
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Hugs, Sis. I thoroughly enjoyed. 😍❤️
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❤ x
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Wonderful entries, so inspiring to read them all. Congratulations Sally, your poem is magnificent.
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Thank you Helene… x
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My pleasure!
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Congratulations, Sally! Lovely etheree!
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Thank you Annette..hugs ♥
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Congratulations to Sally, and the other fine entrants.
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Thanks, Ken. I love all the thoughtful poetry. It’s my favorite read of the week. ❤
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Thanks again Ken.
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Yay, so thrilled for Sally! Fabulous entries from all! ❤
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Thanks Debby ♥
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Thanks, Sis. I hope you will be able to jump back in after you recuperate. ❤
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Looking forward to it for sure!!! Gotta get my poetry muscles back in shape. 🙂 ❤
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You got it going on! ❤
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Lovely poetry from everyone, and congratulations to Sally!
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Thank you very much..
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Brilliant as ever lots of great entries 💜
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I love putting this challenge together. ❤
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💜💜💜
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Best part of coming home from work on Monday is catching up on poetry! Awesome entries! I love the hope in Sally’s poem! 🙂
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That’s fabulous! I love hearing that! ❤
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