Vashti Vega selected an amazing photo this week. I received plenty of vibes from this crocodile. How about you? Did you check out the poetry challenge for this week? Click the link and JOIN IN!
Image Credit: Balaji Malliswamy
“Crocodile Spirit Animal,” Traditional Tanka
crocodile totem a force to be reckoned with keeper of secrets steward of ancient knowledge ready to gain new wisdom
What if the crocodile or alligator is your spirt animal? Click the link below to learn more!
Alligator & Crocodile Symbolism & Meaning | Spirit, Totem & Power Animal
In-depth Alligator & Crocodile Symbolism & Meanings! Alligator & Crocodile as a Spirit, Totem, & Power Animal. Plus, Alligator & Crocodile in Native American & Far Eastern Symbols, & Dreams!
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.
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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. 💜
With hope, we stand - Fiction and life . . . from the desk of Gwen M. Plano https://www.gwenplano.com/1/post/2022/08/with-hope-we-stand.html #TankaTuesday
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August Specific Form: Yvette
August Photo Prompt: Reena
August Theme Prompt: Sarah
Great tanka, Sis. I love this photo!
Thanks, Sis. Great fun! ❤️
Your tanka goes perfectly with the photo!
Thanks, Merril. ❤️
Fabulous Colleen.. captured perfectly..hugs♥
Thanks, Sally. At first I was stumped. Fun to look up the magical aspects of this animal. ❤️
A fantastic survivor of ancient times. ♥
They’re so prehistoric!
Love that this highlights the value of the crocodile, especially as a benefit to humankind! Well done.
Thanks, Sis. I was terrified of those critters in Florida, but they are part of the ecosystem. 🥰
I was terrified of them in Florida as well. I like the version in your poem much better.
LOL! Thanks, Liz. 😀 <3
😀 You’re welcome, Colleen!
perfect match of your tanka with the photo, colleen
Thanks, Beth. I wasn’t sure where to go with the photo. A spirit animal seemed to work best. 😂
I love this and YES, this croc is putting off some powerful energy!
So many have agreed. They can feel this energy! 🥰
All reptiles look like they are keeping ancient wisdom, but especially crocodiles. That eye is fierce! (K)
Right? Like they know something no one else knows…
Nailed it! <3
Thanks, Sis . 🥰
Oh this is a beautiful tanka, unique
Thank you, Jude. I was totally stumped and this is what came out of me. LOL! <3
Very impressive
Thank you.
A terrific poem, Colleen.
Thanks, Robbie. This was such an interesting photo to work with. <3
Ooh, loved this one! The “totem” theme of it was so rugged and enticing.
Dr. G!! Is that your photo? Awesome!
Yeah – thanks!
I knew it! I told you it was bad ass if you were a woman! 😂
Yup! Is me.
Love it! 😂
I would not say they are one of my favorite animals, but that was 2 great pictures.
Thanks, Geri. I’m not an aligator/crocodile person either, but this was just fun to write about. <3
Very Cute and Pretty Photo… 🙂 <3 <3
Spirit Animals
Thank you. 🥰