“Humid Spring,” Badger hexastich trio, #NaPoWritMo

I had forgotten how humid it can be in Michigan… Today; the humidity rolled in from Lady Lake Michigan and the rainy day bloomed as we headed into the afternoon.

So for my Poem-a-day practice, I described the approach of the afternoon rain. It’s day 8 on NaPoWritMo, but I’m not following the prompts. 

muggy—
leaden clouds churn
rain spatters like cat feet
barely touching the ground
drops disappear
birds sing

steamy—
blue flies cluster
on dampish window screens
sunning 'tween breaks in clouds
when spring winds gust
blooms thrive

soggy—
cloudburst unleashed
drops cling like morning dew
slick streets shine with rainbows
gutters run deep
grass grows

©2021 Colleen M. Chesebro

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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.

16 thoughts on ““Humid Spring,” Badger hexastich trio, #NaPoWritMo”

    1. Colleen Chesebro: WordCraftPoetry – East Lansing, MI – Colleen M. Chesebro grew up in a large city in the Midwest. Keen on making her own way in the world, she joined the United States Air Force after graduation to tour the world and find herself. To this day, that search continues. Today, she’s a Michigan Poet who loves crafting syllabic poetry, flash fiction, and creative fiction and nonfiction. Colleen sponsors a weekly poetry challenge, called #TankaTuesday, on wordcraftpoetry.com, where poets learn how to create traditional and modern forms of syllabic poetry. Colleen created Word Craft Poetry as an uplifting community where poets can learn the basics of writing Japanese and American syllabic poetry by sharing their own poetic inspiration on their blogs through the challenge written in one of the following forms: haiku, senryu, haiga, tanka, gogyohka, haibun, tanka prose, renga, solo renga, cinquain, and its variations, Etheree, nonet, shadorma, Badger Hexastich, and Abhanga. Poets receive positive feedback from their peers who inspire each other to stretch their creativity. Colleen’s syllabic poetry has appeared in “Hedgerow, a Journal of Small Poems,” and in “Poetry Treasures,” and “Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships,” including several other online publications. She’s also received several awards for her flash fiction pieces from the yearly Carrot Ranch.com rodeo events. Colleen created Unicorn Cats Publishing Services to assist poets and authors in their book publishing needs. When she's not writing poetry or crafting short stories, you’ll find her digging in her garden, or playing with her two unicorn cats, Chloe & Sophie. Most days you can find her writing poetry on wordcraftpoetry.com. 💜
      Colleen M. Chesebro says:

      Thanks. It was miserable hot and humid. Now that it rained, it’s cooled down. 😍🌧

      Reply
        1. Colleen Chesebro: WordCraftPoetry – East Lansing, MI – Colleen M. Chesebro grew up in a large city in the Midwest. Keen on making her own way in the world, she joined the United States Air Force after graduation to tour the world and find herself. To this day, that search continues. Today, she’s a Michigan Poet who loves crafting syllabic poetry, flash fiction, and creative fiction and nonfiction. Colleen sponsors a weekly poetry challenge, called #TankaTuesday, on wordcraftpoetry.com, where poets learn how to create traditional and modern forms of syllabic poetry. Colleen created Word Craft Poetry as an uplifting community where poets can learn the basics of writing Japanese and American syllabic poetry by sharing their own poetic inspiration on their blogs through the challenge written in one of the following forms: haiku, senryu, haiga, tanka, gogyohka, haibun, tanka prose, renga, solo renga, cinquain, and its variations, Etheree, nonet, shadorma, Badger Hexastich, and Abhanga. Poets receive positive feedback from their peers who inspire each other to stretch their creativity. Colleen’s syllabic poetry has appeared in “Hedgerow, a Journal of Small Poems,” and in “Poetry Treasures,” and “Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships,” including several other online publications. She’s also received several awards for her flash fiction pieces from the yearly Carrot Ranch.com rodeo events. Colleen created Unicorn Cats Publishing Services to assist poets and authors in their book publishing needs. When she's not writing poetry or crafting short stories, you’ll find her digging in her garden, or playing with her two unicorn cats, Chloe & Sophie. Most days you can find her writing poetry on wordcraftpoetry.com. 💜
          Colleen M. Chesebro says:

          Yes, I remember how humid it gets in Texas! It cooled down nicely. ❤️

          Reply
          2. Colleen Chesebro: WordCraftPoetry – East Lansing, MI – Colleen M. Chesebro grew up in a large city in the Midwest. Keen on making her own way in the world, she joined the United States Air Force after graduation to tour the world and find herself. To this day, that search continues. Today, she’s a Michigan Poet who loves crafting syllabic poetry, flash fiction, and creative fiction and nonfiction. Colleen sponsors a weekly poetry challenge, called #TankaTuesday, on wordcraftpoetry.com, where poets learn how to create traditional and modern forms of syllabic poetry. Colleen created Word Craft Poetry as an uplifting community where poets can learn the basics of writing Japanese and American syllabic poetry by sharing their own poetic inspiration on their blogs through the challenge written in one of the following forms: haiku, senryu, haiga, tanka, gogyohka, haibun, tanka prose, renga, solo renga, cinquain, and its variations, Etheree, nonet, shadorma, Badger Hexastich, and Abhanga. Poets receive positive feedback from their peers who inspire each other to stretch their creativity. Colleen’s syllabic poetry has appeared in “Hedgerow, a Journal of Small Poems,” and in “Poetry Treasures,” and “Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships,” including several other online publications. She’s also received several awards for her flash fiction pieces from the yearly Carrot Ranch.com rodeo events. Colleen created Unicorn Cats Publishing Services to assist poets and authors in their book publishing needs. When she's not writing poetry or crafting short stories, you’ll find her digging in her garden, or playing with her two unicorn cats, Chloe & Sophie. Most days you can find her writing poetry on wordcraftpoetry.com. 💜
            Colleen M. Chesebro says:

            I was stationed in San Antonio years ago. We’re retired Air Force… we’ve lived all over the U. S. and abroad. 😀

  2. merrildsmith – I am a historian, writer, and poet. My books have mainly focused on history, sexuality, and gender, and my most recent book is a reference book, Sexual Harassment. My blog is mainly poetry and musings about the world around me.
    merrildsmith says:

    I really like the flow of this.
    I didn’t realize it got that humid there, especially in April. We might be getting that kind of weather on Sunday.

    Reply
    1. Colleen Chesebro: WordCraftPoetry – East Lansing, MI – Colleen M. Chesebro grew up in a large city in the Midwest. Keen on making her own way in the world, she joined the United States Air Force after graduation to tour the world and find herself. To this day, that search continues. Today, she’s a Michigan Poet who loves crafting syllabic poetry, flash fiction, and creative fiction and nonfiction. Colleen sponsors a weekly poetry challenge, called #TankaTuesday, on wordcraftpoetry.com, where poets learn how to create traditional and modern forms of syllabic poetry. Colleen created Word Craft Poetry as an uplifting community where poets can learn the basics of writing Japanese and American syllabic poetry by sharing their own poetic inspiration on their blogs through the challenge written in one of the following forms: haiku, senryu, haiga, tanka, gogyohka, haibun, tanka prose, renga, solo renga, cinquain, and its variations, Etheree, nonet, shadorma, Badger Hexastich, and Abhanga. Poets receive positive feedback from their peers who inspire each other to stretch their creativity. Colleen’s syllabic poetry has appeared in “Hedgerow, a Journal of Small Poems,” and in “Poetry Treasures,” and “Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships,” including several other online publications. She’s also received several awards for her flash fiction pieces from the yearly Carrot Ranch.com rodeo events. Colleen created Unicorn Cats Publishing Services to assist poets and authors in their book publishing needs. When she's not writing poetry or crafting short stories, you’ll find her digging in her garden, or playing with her two unicorn cats, Chloe & Sophie. Most days you can find her writing poetry on wordcraftpoetry.com. 💜
      Colleen M. Chesebro says:

      Oh yeah, it gets humid. Lots of moisture from Lake Michigan.

      Reply
      1. merrildsmith – I am a historian, writer, and poet. My books have mainly focused on history, sexuality, and gender, and my most recent book is a reference book, Sexual Harassment. My blog is mainly poetry and musings about the world around me.
        merrildsmith says:

        That makes sense.😀

        Reply
  3. SelmaMartin – Japan – I love the written word, bubbling with the desire to tell stories. At (WEBSITE): https://selmamartin.com you’ll find short stories & articles, AND POETRY to help you arrive at a place where you can open up to see your zone of extraordinary. Being ordinary is extraordinary, especially in today’s high-paced culture. So, even if you think you don’t have an extraordinary zone, I hope you stick around to read the blogs and come to see yourself in any one of the ordinary stories. I love reading, laughing, gardening, and learning new things.
    SelmaMartin says:

    And it’s only April. Something wrong with the thermostat for sure. It gets like that here in Japan but after the rainy season. June-July.
    Stay cool. Your poem is so lovely. Too bad it’s real. Still the words are beautiful and they convey much. I adore your style. Thanks for sharing.

    I was smitten with the prompt today. Silly, silly me. 🤦🏻‍♀️

    The things you learn about yourself as you age. I never knew; never suspected I had such predilection for drama. A monologue? By someone dead? Where did that come from within me!? Imagine my surprise!

    Thanks so much, Colleen. Stay cool. I wish you miracles.

    Reply
    1. Colleen Chesebro: WordCraftPoetry – East Lansing, MI – Colleen M. Chesebro grew up in a large city in the Midwest. Keen on making her own way in the world, she joined the United States Air Force after graduation to tour the world and find herself. To this day, that search continues. Today, she’s a Michigan Poet who loves crafting syllabic poetry, flash fiction, and creative fiction and nonfiction. Colleen sponsors a weekly poetry challenge, called #TankaTuesday, on wordcraftpoetry.com, where poets learn how to create traditional and modern forms of syllabic poetry. Colleen created Word Craft Poetry as an uplifting community where poets can learn the basics of writing Japanese and American syllabic poetry by sharing their own poetic inspiration on their blogs through the challenge written in one of the following forms: haiku, senryu, haiga, tanka, gogyohka, haibun, tanka prose, renga, solo renga, cinquain, and its variations, Etheree, nonet, shadorma, Badger Hexastich, and Abhanga. Poets receive positive feedback from their peers who inspire each other to stretch their creativity. Colleen’s syllabic poetry has appeared in “Hedgerow, a Journal of Small Poems,” and in “Poetry Treasures,” and “Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships,” including several other online publications. She’s also received several awards for her flash fiction pieces from the yearly Carrot Ranch.com rodeo events. Colleen created Unicorn Cats Publishing Services to assist poets and authors in their book publishing needs. When she's not writing poetry or crafting short stories, you’ll find her digging in her garden, or playing with her two unicorn cats, Chloe & Sophie. Most days you can find her writing poetry on wordcraftpoetry.com. 💜
      Colleen M. Chesebro says:

      Thanks, Selma. Well, good for you taking on the prompt. My dear friend’s husband passed away the day before and it was a little raw for me. ❤️

      Reply
  4. Gwen M. Plano – United States – Over the expanse of many years, I taught and served as an administrator in colleges in Japan, New York, Connecticut, and California. Between travels with my husband and visits with family and friends, I now write and am completing my fourth book. Though writing is an accomplishment of no small measure for me, my greatest treasure and most profound source of joy has been and is my four adult children. It is they who have guided me through life’s mysteries.
    Gwen M. Plano says:

    Love it! You’ve captured it brilliantly. 🙂

    Reply
    1. Colleen Chesebro: WordCraftPoetry – East Lansing, MI – Colleen M. Chesebro grew up in a large city in the Midwest. Keen on making her own way in the world, she joined the United States Air Force after graduation to tour the world and find herself. To this day, that search continues. Today, she’s a Michigan Poet who loves crafting syllabic poetry, flash fiction, and creative fiction and nonfiction. Colleen sponsors a weekly poetry challenge, called #TankaTuesday, on wordcraftpoetry.com, where poets learn how to create traditional and modern forms of syllabic poetry. Colleen created Word Craft Poetry as an uplifting community where poets can learn the basics of writing Japanese and American syllabic poetry by sharing their own poetic inspiration on their blogs through the challenge written in one of the following forms: haiku, senryu, haiga, tanka, gogyohka, haibun, tanka prose, renga, solo renga, cinquain, and its variations, Etheree, nonet, shadorma, Badger Hexastich, and Abhanga. Poets receive positive feedback from their peers who inspire each other to stretch their creativity. Colleen’s syllabic poetry has appeared in “Hedgerow, a Journal of Small Poems,” and in “Poetry Treasures,” and “Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships,” including several other online publications. She’s also received several awards for her flash fiction pieces from the yearly Carrot Ranch.com rodeo events. Colleen created Unicorn Cats Publishing Services to assist poets and authors in their book publishing needs. When she's not writing poetry or crafting short stories, you’ll find her digging in her garden, or playing with her two unicorn cats, Chloe & Sophie. Most days you can find her writing poetry on wordcraftpoetry.com. 💜
      Colleen M. Chesebro says:

      Whew! Thanks, Gwen. It was humid! 🥵

      Reply
  5. memadtwo – For more madness, follow me on Instagram @h_zimel methodtwomadness is a blog of two friends, Nina and Kerfe kblog is Kerfe's solo branch on the tree
    memadtwo says:

    I too thought humidity was our burden here in the east– even though I spent my childhood in Ohio I don’t remember it until we moved to Maryland. You’ve described it well. (K)

    Reply
    1. Colleen Chesebro: WordCraftPoetry – East Lansing, MI – Colleen M. Chesebro grew up in a large city in the Midwest. Keen on making her own way in the world, she joined the United States Air Force after graduation to tour the world and find herself. To this day, that search continues. Today, she’s a Michigan Poet who loves crafting syllabic poetry, flash fiction, and creative fiction and nonfiction. Colleen sponsors a weekly poetry challenge, called #TankaTuesday, on wordcraftpoetry.com, where poets learn how to create traditional and modern forms of syllabic poetry. Colleen created Word Craft Poetry as an uplifting community where poets can learn the basics of writing Japanese and American syllabic poetry by sharing their own poetic inspiration on their blogs through the challenge written in one of the following forms: haiku, senryu, haiga, tanka, gogyohka, haibun, tanka prose, renga, solo renga, cinquain, and its variations, Etheree, nonet, shadorma, Badger Hexastich, and Abhanga. Poets receive positive feedback from their peers who inspire each other to stretch their creativity. Colleen’s syllabic poetry has appeared in “Hedgerow, a Journal of Small Poems,” and in “Poetry Treasures,” and “Poetry Treasures 2: Relationships,” including several other online publications. She’s also received several awards for her flash fiction pieces from the yearly Carrot Ranch.com rodeo events. Colleen created Unicorn Cats Publishing Services to assist poets and authors in their book publishing needs. When she's not writing poetry or crafting short stories, you’ll find her digging in her garden, or playing with her two unicorn cats, Chloe & Sophie. Most days you can find her writing poetry on wordcraftpoetry.com. 💜
      Colleen M. Chesebro says:

      After living out west for the last six years, I forgot about the humidity of living near Lake Michigan. It was great after the rain, nice and cool. ❤️

      Reply

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