I wanted to try something different this week for my poetry challenge so I shared a photo for poets to use as inspiration for their poems. The last thing I want is for this challenge to seem dull. So, let’s give it a try!

There’s a lot going on in this photo. There’s the porch light shining brightly and a package by the door. Is anybody home?
The bikes outside hint that maybe the kids are upstairs doing homework or getting into other trouble. Parked bikes could also mean that the kids are next door. That means mom and dad might have time some time to spend alone. We know it’s summer – there’s lots of greenery present. Hmmmm…
Who lives here? What are their lives like? Do you see/feel happiness or pain? What is not being said in this photo?
Photo prompts are fun to use in poetry as a way to delve into the feelings that a photo conveys. Experiment with some of the themes you get out of the photo. I’ve used the Senryu form to share some of my themes from above:
The porch light is on
welcoming friends to enter
yet, no one is home
Muggy summer nights
alone with my beloved
reclaiming our love
The longer syllabic forms work well with photo prompts too. Here is my submission for this week, a Nonet.
“Home,” # Nonet
As the fringes of darkness descend
cicadas sing their summer songs
inviting all kith and kin
where hearts dwell together
wrapped tightly in love
dear memories
bittersweet
send me
home
© 2019 Colleen M. Chesebro

I live the new challenge, embraced it even. I love your nonet Colleen. It’s perfect.💜💜
Thanks, Willow. You are such a great supporter. <3
I mean every word 💜💜
<3
Love your takes, sis 🥰
LOL! I think everyone is scared… not many entries this week. 😀
It’s a different take on the prompt, but who doesn’t love a challenge!
Right? That’s what I thought too! LOL!
😁
Lovely nonet Colleen.. and a lovely photo as our first prompt… given us plenty of scope..thank you…♥
You’re so welcome. Thanks, Sally. <3
I loved the cicadas – they’ll be humming their lullabies here soon!
LOL! Can you tell I lived in the south? Here in AZ the crickets croon near the spouts of the drip irrigation. 🤣
I didn’t know where the boundaries of cicadas were, but I did know they lived ’round here! Very cool that you included that in the poem! 🙂
We have to use our six senses when writing poetry. LOL!
Reblogged this on Where Genres Collide Traci Kenworth YA Author & Book Blogger.
Thanks so very much, Traci. <3
Such a lovely Nonet, Colleen…
Thanks, Jaye. I left a lot in that poem by using the word “bittersweet.” Much to connect with. ❤️
Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
Thanks, Jaye. Appreciate your sharing. ❤️
This is a lovely poem, Colleen.
Thanks, Robbie. I went with the more expected version. Wow… wait until you see all the great poems. Lots of reading between the lines which is so cool! <3
I love the feeling in your nonet.
I was away this week, but looking forward to the next challenge. (K)
Thanks. I wanted to break up the challenge a bit so it won’t be stale. I figured a photo challenge would be fun. On the third Tuesday of each month we will have a photo challenge. <3
sounds good!
Pingback: Colleen’s 2019 #Tanka Tuesday #Poetry Challenge Recap No. 136, #PhotoPrompt – The Faery Writer
I love your Nonet, Colleen––beautiful and full of imagery. <3
Thanks, Vashti. This was fun and the image really spoke to everyone differently. <3
That’s the beauty of it. <3
The magic gets me every time. 😀 <3