I stared into the bucket of water expecting to see my own
image stare back at me. Instead, the image of a Rusalka water nymph wavered within
the watery depths. Her eyes glinted with green fire and her golden hair drifted
around her shoulders.
She slipped from the water and stood before me clothed only
in the gray mists that circled the banks of the river.
“Come, friend. I’ll show you the way.”
“The way?”
“You died before your time, and now you’ve transformed into
a Rusalka water nymph.”
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.
I think these 99 word challenges are really difficult, not much room to really get going!
You managed to capture the essence beautifully though, well done!
I agree. That is the challenge… what I like is that the reader can fill in the blanks. She belongs to the river now… you know there is another story there. <3
The Slavic people believed that woman who died violent deaths, or committed suicide, or female babies born out of wedlock turned into Rusalka nymphs. I think it was a way to make sense of their deaths. I love Slavic mythology… very dark but interesting. <3
I’d love to read the longer one, too! I recently learned of Rusalkas when I reread “Hunted” by Meagan Spooner. Fascinating. And heart breaking. I always love a dark twist though. Nicely done!
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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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August Specific Form: Yvette
August Photo Prompt: Reena
August Theme Prompt: Sarah
Bummer. So much for that trip to Harry Potter World.
LOL! Seriously, you need to check out some Slavic mythology. There is some dark stuff there. 😀
Love your take sis 💜
So much research for my book. Time to put it all to good use. LOL! Thanks, Sis. <3
😂
Now i’m sure you are batty
LOL! I’m in good company! 😀
I love how even your stories are informative! Satisfies my cravings for heady stuff.
Thanks. I LOVE research. I should have gotten my degree in library science. LOL. I have an uncanny desire to learn. 😀
Library science would have been perfect for that!
I would have been in seventh heaven. 🥳
You belong to the river now… leading to a whole new story, methinks! <3
I love this mythology of the Rusalki nymphs. You’ll read a lot of this from me. LOL!
:Lovely Colleen… ♥
LOL. Great fun. Thanks, Sally. 🥰
Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
Thank you so much, Jaye and Anita. <3
I think these 99 word challenges are really difficult, not much room to really get going!
You managed to capture the essence beautifully though, well done!
I agree. That is the challenge… what I like is that the reader can fill in the blanks. She belongs to the river now… you know there is another story there. <3
magical story, have a productive and inspiring weekend🙏
Thank you so much. You too. <3
Wonderful piece, Colleen.
I hope a water nymph is waiting for me 🙂
The Slavic people believed that woman who died violent deaths, or committed suicide, or female babies born out of wedlock turned into Rusalka nymphs. I think it was a way to make sense of their deaths. I love Slavic mythology… very dark but interesting. <3
OH dear, Colleen. It might be nice to be a water nymph but not if you have to die first.
LOL! I love the mythology of the Slavic Water nymphs. This is but a small part. <3
Gave me goosebumps!
Ohhhh… that’s cool. Thank you. I would love to make this story longer. <3
I’d love to read the longer one, too! I recently learned of Rusalkas when I reread “Hunted” by Meagan Spooner. Fascinating. And heart breaking. I always love a dark twist though. Nicely done!
Thank you! What a compliment. <3
My pleasure!
Fabulous piece Sis. And definitely the makings for another book! <3
LOL. The Rusalki Fey… this is who we align with. ❤️
<3
Lovely take on the prompt!
Thanks, Luccia. I love this challenge. It opens my mind to the possibilities. <3
Lovely flash fiction. Your Rusalka water nymph seemed so real. 💕🤗💕
Thank you. Just wait till my new book comes out. 😀
😍
I’m looking forward to it!
Pingback: A Bucket of Water « Carrot Ranch Literary Community
Of course, a water nymph in the bucket. Why not? And she’s dead – what a rude awakening. Or maybe a joyful one? This is lovely, Colleen.
LOL! Thanks, Norah. Magic is found everywhere!