WELCOME TO TANKA TUESDAY!
Are you ready for a #TankaTuesday theme prompt? Ken Gierke (Rivrvlogr) from last month’s challenge picked the theme:
TRANSITIONS
Merriam-Webster has several definitions for the word transitions, found HERE.
Learning how to write poetry featuring a theme is good practice for poets who’d like to submit their poetry to journals and contests. Check out our HUGE list HERE!
How do you start? Here is a great article from the Guardian on how to write a poem on a theme:
“This year, the theme for National Poetry Day is Light. I was asked to write a poem on the subject for Light, the National Poetry Day book (download it for free). Here’s how I went about it. It’s a technique you can use for writing a poem on any theme – aliens, Hallowe’en, getting old, football, animals… anything at all.
First of all, in the middle of a large piece of paper, I wrote LIGHT… READ MORE…”
The Guardian: Poetry secrets: how to write a poem on a theme

This is an example of a mind map. This technique works well when planning out your themed poetry. Don’t forget to count those syllables!
GRAB your printable FREE PDF daily syllabic poetry journal sheet HERE
Here are some sites that will help you write your poetry and count syllables:
Not sure how to write syllabic poetry? READ THIS FIRST: How to Craft Syllabic Poetry
Word Craft: Prose & Poetry – The Art of Crafting Syllabic Poetry

THE RULES
- Write a poem based on the above theme using a syllabic form of your choice found on the cheat sheet OR from the Poetscollective.org using the theme above.
- *USE sodacoffee.com/syllables to count your syllables. That way, we are all using the same syllable counter.
- 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 https:// address link of your published post into the Mr. Linky below.
- 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.


Follow the 2022 schedule listed below:

Great theme from Ken and wonderful tips from you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Merril. I love mind mapping!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think I do it a bit–but in my mind.🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL! I do too, but have started writing more down lately. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Transitions are we learn and grow. Thank you Ken Gierke and Colleen.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Life is just one big transition, isn’t it? LOL!
LikeLike
Yes indeed 💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great theme from Ken. I think we’ll get lots of different responses to this one! Thanks, Colleen 💕🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree. It’s got great bones to build off of. ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m looking forward to seeing what everyone creates with Ken’s fantastic theme. Thanks, Colleen! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a good theme. I think everyone will have fun. ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for the link to the Guardian article, Colleen! I just read it, and I’ve saved it in my writing resources folder.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wasn’t that a great description on how to write themed poetry? I love brainstorming or mind mapping ideas. Both are great tools. ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
I usually use freewriting, rather than mind mapping, but in the case of syllabic poetry, I’m thinking that mind mapping would work better. I’ll have to give it a whirl!
LikeLiked by 1 person
For the longer forms mind mapping works well. I like to write with a beginning, middle, and end (in three verses) and it helps define the parts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful prompt, Colleen. I’ve submitted a Haiku. As always, thank you for the inspiration. 💗
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Gwen. I’m glad you enjoyed. ❤
LikeLike
Another single Shadorma: Short Lived Romance
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry Colleen, but Mr Linky is not loving me at all today! So here I am in the comments.
Pat🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll take a look and see what the problem is Pat. I’ll add your link. ❤️
LikeLike
Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Got it!! It was something at my end. Now if you could remove that first one that goes to ‘nowhere’ that would be good. Don’t know how to do that🙂. Thanks
LikeLiked by 1 person
No worries. I’ll be online soon. ❤️
LikeLike
Loved the theme!
And my poem is @https://indishe.wordpress.com/2022/02/24/tankatuesday-weekly-poetry-challenge-no-262-2-22-22-themeprompt/
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t wait to read! ❤️
LikeLike
More doors this week. (K)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the theme prompt Colleen.. I am back in the game with a butterfly cinquain https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2022/02/25/smorgasbord-poetry-colleen-chesebros-tuesday-weekly-challenge-butterfly-cinquain-metamorphasis-by-sally-cronin/ ♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
Welcome back, Sally! Glad to see you writing poetry again! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤
LikeLike
Hello Colleen, and everyone. Despite the fact that it is ten degrees F. out and snowing there is a feeling of spring, or at least the beginning of that seasonal transition. Between the fine prompt and the temptation of a new (to me) form, the Whitney, I am in this week. Thank you for having me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’re glad you’re here D. It’s warmer here but still flurrying. We got about 4.5 inches of the fluffy stuff last night. The sun is peeking through, and the robins are mad as hell at the snow! LOL! Spring wants to burst open here too! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve written a tanka prose.
LikeLike