WELCOME TO TANKA TUESDAY!

It’s the first of the month and you know what that means! Poets, choose your own syllabic poetry form, theme, words, images, etc. It’s up to you!
PLEASE support the other poets by visiting blogs and leaving comments. Peer reviews help poets perfect their writing craft. Remember… sharing is caring.
For Colleen’s Weekly Poetry Challenge, you can write your poem in the forms defined on the Poetry Challenge Cheatsheet:

Syllabic Poetry Form Cheatsheet
This challenge is not for free-style poetry. Read the Poetry Form Cheatsheet above to know the acceptable forms. The Gogyoka in English is the only form that does not require a syllable count per the five lines. Please be mindful that each line should be the duration of a single breath or a phrase. Choose your words carefully…
Here are some great sites that will help you write your poetry and count syllables
This site even has a link so you can install the extension on Google Chrome.
For Synonyms and Antonyms. When your word has too many syllables, find one that works.
Find out how many syllables each word has. I use this site to compose my poems. Click on the “Workshop” tab, then cut and paste your poetry into the box. Click the Count Syllables button on the button. This site does the hard work for you.

THE RULES
Every Tuesday I’ll post the challenge early enough so everyone can see it. Remember, there will be no recap.
The rules are simple. Write your poetry on your blog.
Do a link-back by placing the HTTPS:// address of the challenge post into your post. ALSO, please copy your poem and add it to the comments.
If you created a Haiga, let us know in the comments with a link to your post. Now, all of the poetry ends up on the challenge post in one place.
Follow the schedule listed below:


I will visit your blog, comment, and TWEET your POETRY.
If you add these hashtags to the post TITLE on your blog (depending on which poetry form you use) your poetry may be viewed more often on Twitter:
#Haiku, #Senryu, #Haiga, #Tanka, #micropoetry, #poetry, #5lines, #Haibun, #Prose, #CinquainPoetry, #Etheree, #Nonet, #Shadorma, #Gogyoka


Pingback: Colleen's 2020 Weekly #Tanka Tuesday #Poetry Challenge No. 163, #Poet'sChoice | willowdot21
Hi Colleen, I thought it was time I tried a Goygoka. Here is my effort. 💜💜
https://willowdot21.wordpress.com/2020/02/04/colleens-2020-weekly-tanka-tuesday-poetry-challenge-no-163-poetschoice/
Pingback: Colleen’s 2020 Weekly #Tanka Tuesday #Poetry Challenge No. 163, #Poet’sChoice | willowdot21
Pingback: Agent Provocateur: A Clogyrnach | Padre's Ramblings
Agent Provocateur: A Clogyrnach
The meeting short – a brief exchange,
Important matters to arrange.
The envelope passed –
Future events cast –
Regime change
https://padresramblings.wordpress.com/2020/02/04/agent-provocateur-a-clogyrnach/
sorry, omitted line 5 – Time at last
LOL! I’ll read it on your web site, Padre. 😀
Pingback: Gogyohka – Reena Saxena
https://wordpress.com/block-editor/post/reinventionsreena.wordpress.com/22936
It’s over
you said it
left me hanging
on olive branches
reaching the sky
Powerful emotions here, Reena. Great imagery too! 😍
Thank you, Colleen!
Hi Colleen, I had a perfect image to go with my feelings, so I tried a Haiga! Hope you enjoy!
https://teandpaper.ca/2020/02/04/harmony/
Pingback: The Sun Set Loudly #haiku | Trent's World (the Blog)
Hi Colleen. It has been a while. Here is a haiku or three 😉
The Sun Set Loudly
Colors shout out loud
Wind howls across blowing sand
A lonely sunset
*
Bright colors
Cold sandblasted beach
Lone sunset
*
Loud hues
Blowing sand
Sunset
https://trentsworldblog.wordpress.com/2020/02/04/the-sun-set-loudly-haiku/
Oh, these are wonderful, Trent. Glad to see you back here. <3
Thanks, Colleen.
I don’t usually write tankas but I thought I’d try one today.
http://susansplace.blog/2020/02/04/hunted/
It repulses me
knowing these poor animals
are being destroyed
only for the destruction
mankind can be sadistic
Well done, Susan. I agree with you. <3
Thanks so much, Colleen!
Sharing a Haibun: https://charmedchaos.com/2020/02/04/haibun-spring/
Winter is different here in the desert southwest. While others up north have snow and more snow, we have sunshine days with a few freezing nights to keep us humble. Last night was one of those nights.
I awaken to the garden fountain frozen and crusted with ice, yet it still labors to move the water. The birds, hungry from a long night of cold temperatures are having a feeding frenzy at the feeders. Scattered around the fountain edge are bodies of dead bees. They drink from this fountain daily, but the cold snap must have surprised them.
I’m sad for the bees, but there is life in the garden, for a garden is a constant cycle of life, death, and rebirth.
spring’s eternal hope
from tiny seeds to flowers
wildflowers blooming
This is such a beautiful Haibun, Linda. I’m further west than you are and yesterday, the wind bombarded us long into the night. Today, the air is cold; the winds are still, and the sun is shining brightly. What a great place we live in! <3
Yes, it is! Thank you Colleen.
Pingback: Finbar – Jane Dougherty Writes
Another butterfly cinquain.
https://janedougherty.wordpress.com/2020/02/04/finbar-2/
Here you are, sis! Tried one of those new Gogyohkas today!
https://butismileanyway.com/2020/02/04/colleens-2020-weekly-tanka-tuesday-poetry-challenge-no-163-poetschoice-success-gogyohka/
Wonderful! <3
Thanks, Colleen!
Here’s my latest:
(2/4/20: second child)
evening clouds
the stars blotted out
yet again
that second child
we wanted and couldn’t have
#tanka #micropoetry #poetry
https://frankjtassone.com/2020/02/04/evening-clouds-a-tanka-2-4-20/
Well, this made me cry! Great emotions in your Tanka, Frank. <3
Thanks, Colleen! Natalie Goldberg’s “Writing Down the Bones” taught me to be vulnerable and go where the energy is! 😉
Whew! I love it! It’s hard to embrace those painful emotions. You really moved. me. <3
Thanks, Colleen!
Here’s my latest:
2/4/20: second child
evening clouds
the stars blotted out
yet again
that second child
we wanted and couldn’t have
#tanka #micropoetry #poetry
https://frankjtassone.com/2020/02/04/evening-clouds-a-tanka-2-4-20/
Hi Colleen!
Here’s my latest:
https://frankjtassone.com/2020/02/04/evening-clouds-a-tanka-2-4-20/
evening clouds
the stars blotted out
yet again
that second child
we wanted and couldn’t have
Hi Colleen. I’ve tried submitting my latest tanka three times. Unfortunately, it isn’t showing up.
I’ve pulled you out of spam, Frank. I have no idea why you ended up here. That’s WP. (Eyeroll) <3
Thanks, Colleen! 😀
Hi there Colleen. I have written my first ever Tanka. I decided to put my own twist on it and made it a “Found Tanka”, inspired by a poem written by Joy Harjo called “Speaking Tree”.
http://toofulltowrite.com/2020/02/05/colleens-2020-weekly-tanka-tuesday-poetry-challenge-no-163-poetschoice-micropoetry-drink-deep-by-david-ellis/
Hello, David! So glad you joined in. ❤️
Pingback: Flowers – Kitty's Verses
Hi Colleen,
I’ve tried for the first time my hand at Cinquain form of poetry. Thank you very much for the inspiration. Here’s my attempt :-
https://kittysverses.wordpress.com/2020/02/05/flowers/
Thank you all for stopping by and reading.
Hi Colleen,
I’ve tried for the first time my hand at Cinquain form of poetry. Thanks for the inspiration. Here’s my attempt :-
https://kittysverses.wordpress.com/2020/02/05/flowers/
Thank you all for stopping by and reading.
Flowers,
Each layer, a,
Story tightly holding,
Fragrance, those caring to unearth,
Hush! Hush!
Kitty, what a lovely cinquain. I love the flow of your words. 😍
Thank you very much, Colleen. 🙂
You’re so welcome. 😀
🙂
Pingback: Colleen’s 2020 Weekly #Tanka Tuesday #Poetry Challenge No. 163, #Poet’sChoice Colleen’s 2020 Weekly# Tanka Tuesday#Poetry Challenge No 163#Poet’s Choice – theindieshe
Pingback @ https://wp.me/p93zQi-AE
Pingback… https://wp.me/p2XQu3-fZo
hi colleen, incoming 🙂
LOL! Hi, Jude. 😀
A senryū:
https://rivrvlogr.com/2020/02/05/the-founding-fathers-senryu/
Pingback: Perfect love (A haibun) – tales told different
hey Colleen, a Haibun, PERFECT LOVE
,
slow wondering breeze
lacing desire in your touch
fluttering with dreams
,
He hears the call of love, akin to the inflections of hope in its whisper, immune to intonations of conspiracy in its song, deaf to the risk of treachery in its beat.
amorous lover
loving too much, quick to love
questing for the one
,
She bears a tranquilizing beauty, a beauty that ensnares all in a lustful trance, capturing and taming love-soaked hearts. But she feels broken, having many that love her but none that she can love.
oasis of love
his unwavering offer
beseeching her heart
giving all, taking nothing
A perfect love, the wrong love
,
https://wordeologist.wordpress.com/2020/02/05/perfect-love-a-haibun/
Ohhhh… this is very good, Jude. A perfect love – the wrong love. Whew! That says it all! <3
thank you Colleen, so so glad that you like it
Here’s my entry: https://tracikenworth.com/2020/02/05/colleens-weekly-tanka-poetry-challenge-poets-choice-traci-kenworth/
Thanks, Traci. <3
Pingback: Haiku: Angry North Winds | DJ Ranch
Celebrating NaHaiWriMo by playing around with the different haiku forms 💙
https://www.djranch.org/2020/02/05/haiku-angry-north-winds/
Hello Collen,
Hope you’re well. Can I share some Tanka poetry with you? 🙂
In the calm of night
A queer voice broke the silence
I woke up from dream,
A mournful song from downstairs.
In quiet night, caged bird sings.
This is a fabulous Tanka poem, Madeeha. I could see your words play out in my mind. Splendid. <3
Thank you Colleen for this opportunity. You’re really sweet 🙂
You’re welcome, and thank you.
Pingback: #PoetryChallenge – Poet’s choice – Robbie's inspiration
I always like poet’s choice, Colleen. Here is my poem: https://robbiesinspiration.wordpress.com/2020/02/06/poetrychallenge-poets-choice/
It’s freeing to write what you want once in a while, isn’t it? <3
It is if an idea immediately comes to mind. I do find the direction provided by the prompt words helps focus my mind which is also nice.
Perfect. Learning to use our own creativity is fun. 😍
Pingback: My Take-Colleen’s 2020 Weekly #Tanka Tuesday #Poetry Challenge No. 163, #Poet’sChoice – Ruth Scribbles
2/3/2 Directions
Go there
Straight ahead
Walking
You got it! ❤️
Yay!
Ruth, may I use this in my new book as an example? I cite you as the author and you retain all the rights to your work. <3
Oooh. I’m honored. Thank you. Wow
Thanks, Ruth. I appreciate all your hard work. It’s wonderful to have examples to share. <3
Oh… and that’s my photo too.
I didn’t use photos but you went by Ruth Scribbles. <3
Yes
Pingback: Poetry Friday & Book Reviews | The Writer Next Door
Hi, Colleen! Thanks for another fun challenge! Here’s my contribution for this week:
https://vashtiqvega.wordpress.com/2020/02/06/poetry-friday-book-reviews/
Enjoy your Friday and weekend, Sis! <3 xo
Thanks, Sis. 😍
Hi Colleen,
I tried a Haibun this week
Pat
https://thoughtsandentanglements.wordpress.com/
It drizzled all day today. The sky is entrenched in that winter gray. I decided to go see what was going on in the garden. It was still asleep, mostly. With hints of green in the pots at the garden’s edge. Nothing is defined though, could all just be wild things as far as I could tell.
A seagul cries. I look skyward just in time to see it soar across the gray and see its partner answer, then follow it.
My eyes move to the bare branches of that small tree. It gets those fragrant white blooms that entice many birds in the spring. I think it starts out wiith berries. Its the water cooler of the back yard. I still don’t know what it is but it smells heavenly.
among strewn decay
crisp tall grass and withered vines-
fragile heather blooms
Excellent Haibun Haiku, Pat. Your observations drew me into your garden! This is beautiful. ❤️
Thank you, glad you could join me😊
It was great fun! Thank you. <3
And what an amazing job! 😍
Thank you Colleen😊
Pingback: Smorgasbord Poetry – Colleen Chesebro’s Tanka Tuesday Poetry Challenge -#ButterflyCinquain – Wisdom by Sally Cronin | Smorgasbord Blog Magazine
Hi Colleen… looks like some lovely poetry coming through as always.. here is my Butterfly Cinquain –
Look deep
and intently
into a baby’s eyes
as they open to view the world
we share.
You might catch a privileged glimpse
of an old soul reborn
gifting the child
wisdom.
https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2020/02/07/smorgasbord-poetry-colleen-chesebros-tanka-tuesday-poetry-challenge-butterflycinquain-wisdom-by-sally-cronin/
What a lovely poetic message, Sally. 😍
Thank you Colleen..hugs♥
Hugs back, Sally ❤️
Pingback: #PoetryChallenge – Poet’s choice – anaelleamaya
Pingback: Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – Weekly Round Up – 2nd – 8th February 2020 – Jazz, Italian Valentines appetizer, Guests, Books, Reviews and Funnies | Smorgasbord Blog Magazine
Pingback: Moth #TankaTuesday #Gogyoka – Let Me Tell You the Story of…
I did not want to miss Draw-a-Bird day, so here’s this month’s bird poem (with help from the Oracle)
https://methodtwomadness.wordpress.com/2020/02/08/black-cockatoo-draw-a-bird-day/
Yay! I’m so happy to see you, Kerfe. Hopefully you are settling in. 😍❤️❤️
Not even close…it’s much more complicated than I anticipated, as things always are. But I decided to take today “off” from moving activities. Tomorrow: back to work.
Ok. I’m sending strength to make it through this difficult time. 😍❤️🔮
Thanks Colleen. I can use it!
You got it! <3
Pingback: Beyond | Annette Rochelle Aben
Beyond (a gogyoka)
View from the window
Frosted trees and bushes
Blue peeks through white clouds
Imagination removes the glass
The soul flies with the birds
©2020 Annette Rochelle Aben
How beautiful, Sis! I feel your soul longs to be free. I hope you are recuperating well. <3