WELCOME TO TANKA TUESDAY!
It’s the third week of the month! Time for an Ekphrastic #PhotoPrompt
This challenge explores Ekphrastic writing inspired by visual art (photographs). I’ve selected an image for this week’s challenge.
I’ve always loved watercolors. There is something special that speaks to me from the muted and surreal colors and brush strokes. I especially connect with scenic images featuring humans and wildlife—especially birds! Write your syllabic poetry based on the image below.

If you want to be creative and feel up to an additional challenge, respond to my renga with your own two, seven-syllable lines. A renga is a cooperative poem, written by two or more poets.
I’ve written the hokku (haiku portion in 5/7/5). Your response to my hokku is the wakiku: two seven-syllable lines that connect with the interaction between the different links.
Remember, your renga stanza will link and shift. It will NOT tell a sequential story. Review the renga on the cheatsheet link below to refresh your memory.
Here is the hokku:
hazy reflections—
crows gather to remember
the gifts of summer
Your response to my hokku is the wakiku: two seven-syllable lines that somehow connect with my hokku.
Remember, your renga stanza will link and shift. It will NOT tell a sequential story. Review the renga on the cheatsheet link below to refresh your memory.
For the Tanka Tuesday Weekly Poetry Challenge, you can write your poem in the forms defined on the Poetry Challenge Cheatsheet (click the link below):
Here are some sites that will help you write your poetry and count syllables:
A simple yet powerful syllable counter for poems and text which will count the total number of syllables and number of syllable per line for poems like haikus, limericks, and more.
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.

THE RULES
- Write a poem using a form of your choice: Haiku, Senryu, Haiga, Tanka, Gogyohka, Renga, Solo-Renga, Haibun, Tanka Prose, Cinquain, and its variations, Etheree, Nonet, and Shadorma. Please try to only use these forms.
- Post it on your blog.
- Include a link back to the challenge in your post. (copy the https:// address of this post into your post).
- Copy the link of your published post into the Mr. Linky below (underlined with a hyperlink).
- Please click the small checkbox on Mr. Linky about data protection.
- Read and comment on some of your fellow poets’ work.
- Like and leave a comment below if you choose to do so.
The screenshot below shows what Mr. Linky looks like inside. Add your name, and the URL of your post. Click the box about the privacy policy (It’s blue). As everyone adds their links to Mr. Linky, you can view the other submissions by clicking on the Mr. Linky link on the challenge post. All the links will show in the order of posting.



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, #Gogyohka, #Tanka, #TankaProse, #Renga, #Solo-Renga, #micropoetry, #poetry, #5lines, #Haibun, #Prose, #CinquainPoetry, #Etheree, #Nonet, #Shadorma

Fascinating image this week, Colleen… I love watercolours too!
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I would have them in every room of my house, if I could. Watercolors must appeal to our magical sides, Jaye. ❤️
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I love the ethereal quality!
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Yes, it’s dreamy and gets your mind thinking and creating. ❤
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It really does…
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Your haiku
hazy reflections—
crows gather to remember
the gifts of summer
my waikiku
they fly back, so baffled by
shades, layers of human mind
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Oh, this is excellent! I love where you went with this Reena! ❤️
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Thank you!
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You totally got the concept of the renga, Reena. ❤
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Thank you!
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Hi Colleen. An interesting painting. I wrote a tanka for it: https://trentsworldblog.wordpress.com/2020/12/15/living-landscape-tanka/
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Here is mine Colleen, my first attempt at a collaborative Renga. Hope it okay.
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What a fascinating image! I will try to come up with something for it. Not sure I have the extra challenge in me this week:)
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Awww, two lines, seven syllables each? You’ve got this! ❤
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This is an interesting one. At first I was stymied, but I worked it out.
https://theversesmith.blogspot.com/2020/12/legend-of-black-rose.html
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I’m right there, Sis!
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Hi Colleen, I did an etheree and trio of shadormas.
https://wordeologist.wordpress.com/2020/12/16/deeper-sight/
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Sounds nice. I’ll be over soon. ❤️
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I always try out something with your challenge 😉
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You do! You keep me looking for ways and forms to keep you interested! 🤣
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Well, you definitely Excell at that. Your foundations are impeccable.
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Posted our contribution, Colleen… two for the price of one this week, and hope we managed the wakiku!
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Wonderful! I’ll be over later to read.
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Reblogged this on Anita Dawes & Jaye Marie ~ Authors.
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Thank you for sharing. ❤️
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Here is my endeavor, Colleen – https://amanpan.blog/2020/12/16/hovering-spirits/
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Yay! Great to see you Franci! ❤️
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Thanks for the challenge, Colleen. I attempted a Tanka this week. 🙂
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Good for you, Kitty. ❤️
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🙂
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A most interesting photo for sure! ❤
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There is much open to interpretation… always fun to see what others see. ❤
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❤
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A haibun, and with a special addition at the bottom for Colleen here:
(62) Damned Family 1p (Mae Mixes the Past with the Present)
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Yay! I’ve been waiting for you, Jules. ❤️
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I’ve been catching up on some house chores, return visits… and shoveling snow. I wasn’t sure how to incorporate everything yesterday. But as you see it worked out 👌
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Of course. I knew you would figure out the perfect syllables. ❄️☃️❄️
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I had written the 7,7 lines to my own solo tanka first and I guess my muse was working overtime because they also fit as an addition to your piece 😀
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You’re the best, Jules! ❤️
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Hello Colleen- Joining in today! I hope all is going well.
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Yay, Linda. Yes, I’m well. Taking a few days off. I’m going to back cookies for my neighbors. We’re getting closer and closer to our move date. Lots to do! LOL! I need a nap. 😀
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Wow!
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Hi, Sis! You’ve chosen a beautiful watercolor image. I was immediately inspired by it. Have a safe and merry Christmas Eve and Christmas! ❤ xo
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Thanks and huge Yule hugs to you, Sis. We’re about two weeks out from our big cross country move. It’s all coming together. Merry Christmas. ❤
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I took up your challenge…(K)
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Yes! Thank you, Kerfe. ❤️
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I just made it! A beautiful prompt, Colleen. Wishing you a beautiful Christmas in your new home and a happy healthy peaceful new year. ❤ https://mythsofthemirror.com/2020/12/20/bow-down
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Thanks, Diana. We leave for Michigan on January 4th, so not too far away, now. Fingers crossed that our trip goes well and no storms! ❄️☃️❄️. Happy Yule! 🎄
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You’re having a hectic holiday season this year, Colleen. I hope you get to relax some, pamper yourself, and take a deep breath. Safe travels and keep smiling.
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Thanks, Diana. I’ve had time to prepare for the move so it hasn’t been too bad. The last two weeks always get busy. Huge hugs my friend. I’ve got your newest book to read – the first in the series. I can’t wait! ❤
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Thank you! My first Christmas present! ❤
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I can’t wait to start reading. I’ll review after I get to Michigan. ❤
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You’re the best!
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A very thought provoking image!
Pingback @ https://indishe.wordpress.com/2020/12/20/weekly-tanka-tuesday-poetry-challenge-no-203-ekphrastic-photoprompt/
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Glad you enjoyed. 😍
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Hi Colleen. I was inspired by the wonderful image and Diana’s entry, so here is my garland cinquain.
Merry Christmas and best wishes for your move.
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Thanks so much, Merry Christmas! 🎁🎄
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You’re most welcome. 🎄☃
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