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 Holly Fister and her Haibun poem, “Warmed by the Glow.” This poem sent me back into time where I remembered what it was like to finally get the kids into bed, and to finally sneak in a minute for myself. I really connected with her feeling and her descriptions are superb.
The Haibun is all about the poet’s perceptions at a specific moment in time. The rules for constructing a Haibun are simple. Take a moment and refresh your memory:
My head throbbed with each footfall as I walked down the dim hallway, but the children were asleep, which made me a conqueror. I was exhausted, but satisfied with the victory. Sharp light pierced my eyes as I emerged into the living room, and I cringed away from it. What happened to that fierce warrior? I snuck a peek out the window, and my breath caught- a golden glow had fallen across the yard. Trees in the distance split the light, sending dusty rays all directions. I hastily positioned myself on the edge of the chaise so that the sunbeams hit my face. They warmed my skin. I closed my eyes and saw the glow through my eyelids. The sun was quickly slipping downward, so I leaned forward and then stood, to chase the light.
sunburned sky will guide
heavy spirits up toward
cloud shaped memories
Recall the Dreams, #Shadorma
Recall when we
watched the moon, a peach
rising—and
crying for
us? The sad music of dreams
and a thousand whys—
we want to
run after her and
ask of death,
of whispers,
ugly shadows, yet let it
go, to sleep, aching.
Merril D. Smith
rambling, #double #etheree
hope
evolve
breath, focus
intuition
moments and people
the message comes in clues
learn the rule of soul knowledge
shows up in mysterious ways
nothing should be able to steal it
it isn't always clear at the moment
joy
is whole,
consciousness,
the commitment
authentically
an empowered person
pursue it without limits
and keep your senses synchronized
confirming that you are in peace now
letting go of any expectation
Elizabeth
Gems of a Beautiful Life, Etheree
Seek
moments
where peace soothes
your soul, welcomes
love into your heart
starts a revolution
of pure magical thinking
a flash where clarity prevails
gleams like diamonds in golden sunshine
these are gems of a beautiful life
Linda Lee Lyberg
Follow & Lead: #cinquain
Grey skies
replace the blue,
spring storm brewing, trees creak,
dandelions close golden eyes
and wait.
Jane Dougherty
Guide Me, #Shadorma
Show me where
My life's path should go
Guide me through
Teach me by
Kindness as your disciple
To accept your word.
WillowDot21
Little Rascals #Shadorma
Mess cleaned up
Suddenly a crash
A new mess
Bigger still
As a result, she just sighed
Puppies in charge
©2019 Annette Rochelle Aben
Trail of Spring #Haiku
flock of geese
on the trail of spring -
innate guide
Pat R
lone goose taking point #Haiku #Haiga
Constriction #Double #Etheree
Hard
Edges
Cage imposed
Limiting form
Counting syllables
Seeking conformity
Obedient to dictates
Narrowing the field of vision
To engender uniformity
The bias of judgement obeys its rules
Railing against apparent constriction
Forgetting existence is defined
Necessary separation
Failing to understand
Freedom's illusion
Made possible
By edges
Being
Hard
Sue Vincent
"Worship," #Tanka
Wherever you go
I will be your own shadow
I'll never leave you
Be my escort to the light
Show me how to live just right
Ritu
NOLA Gemini Moments: a #haibun
What must Mardi Gras be like?
Is it revelers pursuing yet another Krew’s ostentacious float? Is it music pouring
out of every open door and window? Or crowds of tourists casting down or tossing up
sets of beads? Is it influencers drawing onlookers with the lure of lavish costumes? It
it a mysterious alchemy of all these things?
Whatever it is, the festivities carries on right up to the last minute of Fat Tuesday.
But at midnight, police bullhorns announce the arrival of Ash Wednesday.
The party is over.
Perhaps Mardi Gras is the reverse of the traditional New Orleans Funeral
procession, during which Mourners process in tears to the cemetery, as a marching
band plays a dirge. Upon the procession’s return, however, the band strikes up a
wildly upbeat tune, and the processors dance and sing their way back.
Fast, then feast? Or feast, then hangover?
piles of dropped beads
the gray light of another
“Trash Wednesday”
Frank J. Tassone
“Game Set Fire,” #Haiga #Senryu
Huntress, #Senryu
Spent Months Tracking Them,
Now, I Will Take Out Their Head
With One Swift Arrow…
the dark netizen
Follow & Lead, #Double #Etheree
I
attend
Sunday church
my soul transcend
sins everywhere
the walls run thick with tears
heads bowed in silent prayer
seeking forgiveness given here
candle lit, penance paid, sins vanish
I chase my shadow across the Rubicon
The die is cast, whose favour will it fall
my soul hangs in balance of payment
I track the desert wilderness
I seek the one who can help
to return me from hell
call me from exile
the hunt over
my own guide
I live
now
Anita Dawes
Rains of March - #Etheree
Drops
Drip down
Paths routed
With the first rain.
Pitter-patter sounds
Knock on leaf-littered ground
Waking seeds from earth-tucked sleep.
Sprouts pop out and reach for the sun,
From instinct observing nature’s wish
To praise the sky for bringing heaven’s gift.
H. R. R. Gorman
Unmasked, #Haibun
This face is not the one I wore yesterday. Recast as abstraction, it chases illusions that will
pilot my borrowed dreams. Today I am a galaxy of song, light, color and dance.
If I turn around
will I recollect myself
or pass myself by?
Kerfe Roig
How to Succeed in Life - #Etheree
If you strive to succeed in our wide world
then let me give you a helpful hint
learn all you can about the rules
before you show to people
your singularity
and ability
to thrive outside
the confines
of life’s
box
Sally Cronin
"Beautiful New Paths", a Nonet
Let our thoughts govern our wildest dreams
Take us to places none can find
Through wilderness and portals
Imaginary doors
Unlocking our minds
As we pursue
Beautiful
And new
Paths
Dorinda Duclos
The Blooming, Etheree & Haiku
I,
Shadow
Trailblazer,
Trace my rhythms
Patterning unknowns
On to the chalk path chase
Drawing forms, colours blurred
Outline my chosen name to hunt
for sparks, brittle blooms still nourish bees,
Transparent petals
Offer nectar to the wings,
Stalks direct the globe.
Antonia Sara Zenkevitch
Wanderlust #Triple #Shadorma
wanderlust
so much to still see
trails to hike
one step then
another; mountains to top
adventure awaits
you and me
we go together
where you guide
there I am
the trail unfolds as we go
we wander as two
for better
or for worse, we are
pursuing
a full life
my favorite traveler
where will we go next?
Donna Matthews
“Warmed by the Glow,” #Haibun
My head throbbed with each footfall as I walked down the dim hallway, but the children were asleep, which made me a conqueror. I was exhausted, but satisfied with the victory. Sharp light pierced my eyes as I emerged into the living room, and I cringed away from it. What happened to that fierce warrior? I snuck a peek out the window, and my breath caught- a golden glow had fallen across the yard. Trees in the distance split the light, sending dusty rays all directions. I hastily positioned myself on the edge of the chaise so that the sunbeams hit my face. They warmed my skin. I closed my eyes and saw the glow through my eyelids. The sun was quickly slipping downward, so I leaned forward and then stood, to chase the light.
sunburned sky will guide
heavy spirits up toward
cloud shaped memories
Holly Fister
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. ❤
Beautiful. Collection sis 💜
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Thanks, Sis. I’m going to experiment with the poems next week. The verse block makes it hard to read. 🤣❤️
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It’s not always easy, but we just have to try eh sis!
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Exactly. I’m on it! 😀
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Good luck sis 💜
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Reblogged this on willowdot21 and commented:
Lots of fantastic poems on Colleen’s round up this week.
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Thanks for sharing ❤️
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It’s a pleasure Colleen 💜
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Absolutely fabulous entries as ever , thank you Colleen 🌹🌹
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You’re so welcome. ❤️
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You must put so much time into reading and collating how do you find time to write 🌹
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I limit myself to my poets, closest friends, and that’s about it. My writing comes first now. It took a long time to learn that. I write a minimum of two hours a day on my books. The rest of the time, I write book reviews, etc. Even my time on MeWe is limited and sporadic. That’s why I hated FB. It just sucked away my time and I didn’t have meaningful conversations. All the sharing of posts doesn’t get our stuff read. Our blog posts do that. ❤
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Yes you are right and I am learning that now. I try to write for two a day but life keeps getting in my way. I don’t get the support I would like but hey I forge ahead steadily 🌹
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Keep working at it, Willow. That’s what I do. ❤
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I intend to 🌹🌹
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Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
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Congratulations Holly!! Beautiful! A great week, Colleen!! ❤
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Thanks, Dorinda. Hopefully this week all my crazy medical appointments will settle down and I can write something too. LOL!
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I hope so, but take care of you first!!
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I’m working on that. ❤
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Good. ❤
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Reblogged this on Smorgasbord Blog Magazine and commented:
Time for the recap of the wonderful submissions last week for Colleen Chesebro’s Weekly Poetry Challenge – Do head over and enjoy the Haibun from Holly Fister and various formats from familiar names and some new ones…
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Thank you so much Sally. So appreciated.
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Always a pleasure Colleen..hugsx
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So much talent on display!
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Thanks, Jacquie. I love all the creativity. Makes me happy. ❤
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Another nice collection.
Congratulations to Holly.
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Thanks, Ken. Everyone works so hard. It’s a pleasure to offer a place for poets to have fun. ❤
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Congratulations Holly! A fabulous collection, Colleen. I have been in Portland for a week with a granddaughter, will be going home tomorrow.
Great prompt for the coming week!
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Have fun, Miriam. 😍
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I’m supposed to go home tonight but I missed the flight – first time in my entire life. I was talking to my daughter on the phone in a cafe at the airport and missed the boarding. I should have gone to the gate first. 😦 The next earliest flight is quite full and I had to take the first class seat and pay the difference. 😦
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Oh, my goodness. Well, no worries. Get home safely. Don’t stress. ❤️❤️❤️
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Thank you, Colleen. At leave I don’t have to “go to work.” ❤ ❤ ❤
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Exactly. LOL! ❤
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I revised the book review and submitted again. ❤ ❤
https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R2BWLBV0VD3JAC?ref=pf_ov_at_pdctrvw_srp
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Thanks, Miriam. 😍❤️
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You’re welcome, Colleen. ❤ ❤
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Thank you for choosing me this week, Colleen! I feel so honored! I love doing this poetry challenge!
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Well deserved, Holly. I’m glad you’re here. 😘❤️
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