Colleen’s 2019 #Tanka Tuesday #Poetry Challenge Recap No. 134, #SynonymsOnly

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. I’ve updated the printable Poetry Form Cheat Sheet that I give away for signing up to my weekly blog recap newsletter. If any regular challenge participants would like a copy email me using the new email below. I’ll send you a copy. ❤

After much thought I’ve come up with a way to take care of the contact form problem. I’ve created an email especially for the challenge. From now on please submit your poetry to tankatuesdaypoetry@gmail.com. This will give me a dedicated address to use for your submissions.

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Starting Tuesday, July 9th please send to tanakatuesdaypoetry@gmail.com the “Title of your poem,” #Form used, by “Your Name,” and the https:// address of your post where you published the post on your blog. Don’t forget to include your poem. ❤

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POETRY NEWS: Poetry Contests & Journal Submissions

Currently, UHTS is accepting poetry for the Autumn Issue of the Cattails Journal. Submissions for Autumn/ October issue open 1st July (midnight) GMT and close 15th August (midnight) GMT. 
Read the submission requirements: HERE. You can view the journal HERE. READ the UHTS poetry definitions that are acceptable for submission HERE.

UHTS also is sponsoring the “Fleeting Words” Tanka Competition. Submission Period and Deadline: May 1-August 15 of each year. There is a 10 poem limit on the number of submissions. If more than 10 poems are submitted, only the first 10 poems will be entered. Entries must be the original work of the author, be previously unpublished and not under consideration elsewhere for the entire time period it takes to complete the judging. Click HERE for submission requirements and read carefully to find the current competition.

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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.

I’ve chosen Sally Cronin as the poet of the week for her Tanka, “In Touch with the Earth,” which really resonated with me this week. This is a powerful Tanka poem that meets the standards we discussed in Let’s Talk Tanka. If you missed this post, have a read and brush up on your Tanka writing skills.

The Honorable Mention this week goes to Dorinda Duclos and her poem, “Time for Fantasy.” The showing and not telling in this poem is literally quite delicious!

I also want to thank everyone for their hard work. The talent represented in this challenge motivates me each week. ❤

HERE’S WHO JOINED US LAST WEEK FOR THE FIRST OF THE MONTH POETRY CHALLENGE ~ WHERE POETS CHOSE THEIR OWN WORDS

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“colorful blossom,” #Tanka by Ken Gierke

colorful blossom

returning light with beauty

lotus in the sun

clouds drifting across the sky

unable to steal its light

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“In Touch with the Earth, #Tanka by Sally Cronin

My bare feet planted
deep in the rich soil beneath,
I feel the power
from the deep core of our earth,
rising into my body.

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“Summer Heat” #Tanka by Miriam Hurdle

The pitter-patter

Soothing rhythm of the rain drops

Faded in the midair

Blazing on my head and face

Is the scorching summer heat

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“Time for Fantasy,” #Tanka by Dorinda Duclos

Tis the time for fantasy 

When eyes tightly close 

Invading my dreams 

Like a caramel sundae 

Sugary sweetness oozing

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“Going Forth,” #Haibun #Tanka by Merril D. Smith

Today tanks roll through the nation’s capital, and jets fly over a divided country, but I remember another Fourth of July where people came together to witness a union. Outside fireworks boomed and flared, but inside, love lit up the room. No excess displays are needed to whitewash the facts. Here, we share a couple’s happiness. With the stomp of a goblet, we’re reminded of the simple truth that love. . . is love is love is love. . .and that it endures.

lovers stand and watch

colors streak across the sky—

shattered glass echoes

through time, a kaleidoscope,

love forms and reforms again

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“Where the Path Leads,” #Haibun #Haiku by Pratibha

I only follow the trees. I walk where the path leads me, away from the noises of the traffic, into the forest bordering the busy roads.  The little bridges become my resting stops – taking in the surrounding peace, the music of the water passing below me, the occasional kid on the bike ringing his bell to warn the walkers. I often walk with music plugged in my ears but not when I enter such trails. these trails demand the respect and attention that we humans have stopped paying to nature, not without consequences though.  So I walk; different days, different colors, different company but a single thought – I am blessed to be finally able to appreciate the beauty and the uses of being surrounded by nature. 

holding hands, together
not knowing where the path led
love made me see stars

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“Await,” #Tanka by Donna Matthews

clouds black and heavy
electric sky crackling
like white summer fireworks
I await the storm to pass
it’s turmoil temporary

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“Balance,” #TankaProse #Haibun by Frank J. Tassone

Stark images. Virulent quotes. Intensities of expression across social media platforms and lunch tables alike. A jaded comment sits on a Facebook post. A sharp retort forms, a reaction in the making. All of the agitation, and yet the problems remain.

A clear sky. Heavy humidity from the Maples’ transpiration. The song and countersong of songbirds from high up in the canopy. A calm, steady peace, arising from just this.

How can I advocate for change without agitation? How do I bear witness without ranchor?

“By this”.

Independence

begins in a heart and mind

calm and quiet

move from the double-weighted

without losing the root

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“Star Beta Readers,” #Shadorma by M. J. Mallon

Editing

Struggles highs and lows

I’ll get there

I promise

Thanks for all the help, dearest

Star beta readers

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“Independence,” #Haibun #Haiku by Linda Lee Lyberg

There was a time when I was proud to call myself an American, but that has changed. I’ve never cared much for politics, or organized religion. To me, they are both ways to try to control the masses and keep us in check to further line greedy pockets. Don’t get me wrong, I have faith in a higher power by whatever name you want to call it. I know God hears me no matter where I am. And now this, a parade, a charade of what this country once stood for: FREEDOM and REFUGE.

All I can see are innocent children, mistreated and living in horrible conditions. Some say it’s the fault of their parents, others cry its the fault of the government. None of that matters, because this is about decency and humanity for our fellow man. The time for pointing fingers and who did what needs to be over. These are the adults of tomorrow, not pawns in a game of political chess. They are tiny human beings whose lives may well be forever altered by the adversity they face each day. 

tear stained dirty faces
children crying for mercy
summer camp nightmare

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“Tired,” Double #Etheree by Ritu Bhathal

Tired
Can’t wait
To lie down
And close my eyes
Head hitting pillow
Drifting into slumber
Hoping for a solid sleep
With no nasty interruptions
No cat mewling at me for his food
No children with raging temperatures
No husband needing my attention
Just me, snuggled up in my bed
Oblivious to the world
Refreshing my body
My mind and my soul
Ready to face
Anything
The world
Throws.

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“Sun & Storm,” Triple #Shadorma by Jane Dougherty

When sun sears,

and each step drags through

molten bronze,

my ears pulse

with cicada-throb—phantom

hiss of cool fountains.

Peeling back

the light from shadows,

the heat from

cool tree shade,

the weight of summer becomes

a golden caress,

until the storm

from torn cloud,

unleashes torrents

water-burst

of electric-wired rain

to sooth the fever.

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“Joy,” #Tanka by Elizabeth

Standing still, untouched
Summer breeze bathing softness
Confidence rises
Simplicity is the key
Joy of plenty contentment

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“July 2019,” #Tanka by Kerfe Roig

sun sand ocean sky–
I feel the colors sounding,
shimmering like wings,

merging like half-remembered
melodies—fragments of light

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“Think,” #Tanka by Willowdot21

Let’s come together
Welcome the poor of the world.
Liberty for all?
Arms wide, mouth gagged eyes shut
We’d change the world if we tried.

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“Unnamed,” #Etheree by Anita Dawes

I

made one

Big mistake

Falling for him

His smile beguiling

Belied the truth hidden

No heart could I find inside

The sudden change to dramatic

I need to leave before it’s too late

In time to find the one to love me back…

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“Ben’s Munro Poem,” #Senryu by Ben, the Dog Poet

Back on the Munros

Steep ascent on mountain hike

Reward of Sausage

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“Aftershocks,” #Tanka by Colleen Chesebro

Uncharted terrain
new transformations will come
while earthquakes rumble
D.C. autocrats govern
with unlimited power

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See you tomorrow for a new challenge!