Ken shares an amazing poem using a Gogyohka which is a five-line, untitled, Japanese poetic form. Unlike tanka (5/7/5/7/7 syllables), Gogyohka has no restrictions on length. (Wikipedia.org)
Here are the rules for this poem from Wikipedia.com:
Five rules of Gogyohka by Enta Kusakabe (1983)
Gogyohka is a new form of short poem that is based on the ancient Japanese Tanka and Kodai kayo.
Gogyohka has five lines but exceptionally may have four or six.
Each line of Gogyohka consists of one phrase with a line-break after each phrase or breath.
Gogyohka has no restraint on numbers of words or syllables.
The theme of Gogyohka is unrestricted.
the permanence of henna
the direction of our inclinations holds no pattern carefree, the actions we take the permanence of henna
I like this form. It’s unencumbered with few restrictions other than writing phrases in each line. It’s super creative!
Let me know in the comments if you would like to see this form added to our ever-growing list of accepted syllabic poetry forms.
Thank You for Sharing:
Published by
Colleen Chesebro: WordCraftPoetry
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.
View all posts by Colleen Chesebro: WordCraftPoetry
32 thoughts on “the permanence of henna ~ gogyohka | RIVRVLOGR”
😀 Thank you for sharing this, Colleen.
I think you know how I would vote.
LOL! For poets who write freestyle poetry even the five or six lines might be too restrictive… but, it would open the door to some new creativity. Thanks for sharing, Ken. I like new forms. <3
Free style poetry is really just prose… that’s not bad, don’t get me wrong, but I feel like there is so much more skill involved in syllabic poetry. Remember, if you want to write prose you can choose the Haibun, too. However, this gogyohka will help new poets get started, I think. You’re a pro already, Willow. 😀 <3
It opens up the challenge for some who can’t get into the rigidness of the syllabic rules. I think some weeks it’s healthy for everyone to just experiment. <3
😀 Thank you for sharing this, Colleen.
I think you know how I would vote.
LOL! For poets who write freestyle poetry even the five or six lines might be too restrictive… but, it would open the door to some new creativity. Thanks for sharing, Ken. I like new forms. <3
Oh this is fun! Thanks for sharing Colleen. Always up for new forms to try!
Four to six lines, quick phrases, no syllable count… about as freestyle as you can get. ❤️
I’ll give it a go! <3
Perfect!
So right it a lovely form 💜
I like the freedom of the lines. I think it would be good for folks who write freestyle poetry. <3
I love free style , but I love all poetry 💜
Free style poetry is really just prose… that’s not bad, don’t get me wrong, but I feel like there is so much more skill involved in syllabic poetry. Remember, if you want to write prose you can choose the Haibun, too. However, this gogyohka will help new poets get started, I think. You’re a pro already, Willow. 😀 <3
By the way – Jane Dougherty has written some exceptional gogyohka.
That does not surprise me. I think this is one that we should add. <3
I agree. Not that I stray much from tanka it haiku. LoL, but it’s a new year:)
Pat
Yay, Pat. It’s good to try new stuff! <3
Beautifully put, Ken!
🙂 Thank you, Ritu.
Interesting new style, but I need a course on how to pronounce it LOL <3
Ha Ha Ha! Right? Goy-ha-ka… this is my guess. 😀
LOL 🙂
Which means it’s probably pronounced Goya. LOL!
As long as no one asks us to say it out loud, we’ll be fine!
LOL. I did find the pronunciation. 🤣
Online dictionaries with audio are good for preventing embarrassment!
LOL! I use them often. 😂
Most interesting poetry form. Thanks for sharing, Colleen.
It opens up the challenge for some who can’t get into the rigidness of the syllabic rules. I think some weeks it’s healthy for everyone to just experiment. <3
Exactly! We should want to broaden our horizons. 😊
I think it’s fun. New challenges keep us young. 🤣📝
🙃
Another new form to consider!! I like what Ken has done with it.
It’s different, but I like it. ❤️
Thank you. 🙂