The five women gathered under the pearly radiance of the full harvest moon. They represented air, water, earth, fire, and spirit. Hands clasped together, they formed a circle, their upturned faces raised toward the orbs’ soft glow. This was how they would pay homage to the passing of another cycle—another ending, and another beginning. Change was the only constant in life.
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.
Lovely images. I always marvel at the full moon. I was listening to the radio and a short snippet was about a guy who was driving on a winding road and thought the full moon was a UFO because it kept moving!!!
Wow! You are 5,000 ft up so that makes sense. I’m at sea level (almost) and we’re in the 60’s at night. The cold will come soon. It always does. LOL! <3
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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. 💜
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August Specific Form: Yvette
August Photo Prompt: Reena
August Theme Prompt: Sarah
Endings and beginnings! Such a loving tribute to this glorious time of year! <3
That’s what it’s all about for sure! I have a bit more magic to create this year. I can’t waste any more time. <3
Beautiful, Colleen 🙂 I can picture myself in the circle.
Oh yes, I pictured you all around the circle with me. <3
🙂
Very evocative summation of circle of life!
I tapped into my pagan side for that one. I felt the moonlight on my face as I wrote it! 😀
Moon ,the Muse!
No wonder the lines have that surreal haunting beauty!
Sometimes the muse controls the senses, I’ve found. You just have to go with it. <3
So true!
Perfect, Colleen!
Just a few words and the universe kneels. 💗
It feels like that sometimes, doesn’t it? Thanks so much, Gwen. <3
I love this, Colleen.
Thanks, Robbie. I swear I could see us all standing there. <3
This is an uplifting image, sorely needed in these times. (K)
I love the harvest moon!
Absolutely perfect, Colleen! I love it!
Thanks, Jan! 🍂🧡🍂
This is a magical piece, Colleen. It’s a wonderful feeling to get lost during this enchanting time of the year. 🤩
Lovely images. I always marvel at the full moon. I was listening to the radio and a short snippet was about a guy who was driving on a winding road and thought the full moon was a UFO because it kept moving!!!
LOL! I guess he didn’t realize the optical illusion of him moving in the car. That’s worthy of a short story! 😀
XD Well it did make it to the radio news! Just a fun story. Like ‘Dumb Criminals’.
A beautiful seasonal story Sis. <3
Thank you, me and my sisters can conquer all! 🧡🍂🧡🎃
Seems so! <3
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Great theme. I love your haibun. 🤗🤗🤗
Thanks, Marsha. I love Autumn! I bet you do too. Prescott is always full of fall color. 🎃
I do love Autumn. It’s my favorite season. Those colors are my favorites.
I agree. The maples are finally turning here in Michigan. It’s been unseasonably warm and humid. Ugh! LOL! 😀
You took AZ with you! We are going to be down to 28 on Wednesday night. Can you believe it???
Wow! You are 5,000 ft up so that makes sense. I’m at sea level (almost) and we’re in the 60’s at night. The cold will come soon. It always does. LOL! <3
Frosty will sneak up on you and you’ll be building snow fairies in no time. 🙂
Now that sounds like a plan! <3
Beautiful haiku!
Thanks! ❤️