Welcome to our weekly poetry stars celebration. This week’s challenge was to write your poem using haiku, senryu, haiga, tanka, gogyohka, haibun, tanka prose, renga, solo renga, chōka, cinquain and its variations, Etheree, nonet, shadorma, Badger hexastich, Abhanga, diatelle, the Kerf poetry, and any of the syllabic forms from the Poetscollective.org. Now, the first of the month challenge also includes prose poetry and freestyle poetry!
I was excited to read your poetry this week. Remember, if you’re having a hard time finding inspiration, the poetry Oracle (magnetic poetry) might be enough to get you started on writing your poem. With the introduction of prose poetry and freestyle poetry, this first of the month challenge is now more inclusive to poets who find that syllabic poetry stifles their creativity. <3
Submissions are now closed for the first edition of the wordweavingpoetryjournal.com. We will be sending out emails to the poets whose poetry was accepted. Stay in touch! Follow Word Weaving on Twitter @word_weaving.
Welcome to our weekly poetry stars celebration. This week’s challenge was to write your poetry using the theme of “expedition” chosen by Donna Matthews, using one of these forms: haiku, senryu, haiga, tanka, gogyohka, haibun, tanka prose, renga, solo renga, chōka, cinquain, and its variations, Etheree, nonet, shadorma, Badger hexastich, Abhanga, diatelle, the Kerf poetry, and any of the syllabic forms from the Poetscollective.org.
I have a bit of news I thought I’d share. Sometimes the universe drops unexpected gifts or opportunities on your doorstep that you can’t ignore. At least, that is how it was for me. I’ve accepted a part-time receptionist position at my local hair salon. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would find a job that I could work at without impeding my own creative writing endeavors! It’s truly a gift!
With that being said, for the next couple of weeks, I’ll be working more hours in training than when the training ends. I’ll do my best to keep up with comments and approving linkbacks. Don’t panic if you don’t see your link back approved immediately. I’ll get there as soon as I can. <3
This week, Vashti Quiroz-Vega’s shadorma leaped off the page! How many of us are armchair travelers, connecting with exciting expeditions through reading? Me, me… I know I’m one!
This shadorma flows with the natural rhythm of her chosen words. I like that one of Emily Dickinson’s poems inspired Vashti to write this shadorma. It’s a great message and sums up the theme of an expedition taken through the reading of books.
This week, I’ve asked Vashti Quiroz-Vega to choose the prompt for next month’s theme challenge. Please email your choice of theme to me at least a week before the challenge to tankatuesdaypoetry@gmail.com. Thanks.
Submissions are now closed for the first edition of the wordweavingpoetryjournal.com. Stay in touch! Follow Word Weaving on Twitter @word_weaving.
Welcome to our weekly poetry stars celebration. This week’s challenge was to choose synonyms for the words, “loose and tight,” using one of these forms: haiku, senryu, haiga, tanka, gogyohka, haibun, tanka prose, renga, solo renga, chōka, cinquain, and its variations, Etheree, nonet, shadorma, Badger hexastich, Abhanga, diatelle, & the Kerf poetry.The optional form instructions are here.
(There is no capitalization on the first word in each line of Japanese syllabic poetry. Most of the American forms do not use capitalization either. Why? Syllabic poetry is written in breathy phrases, not sentences).
Poet’s choice is always so much fun! Congratulations to everyone! You all wrote magical poetry. I’m sharing poems that deserve a second read. Here are a few that caught my eye:
Don’t forget to connect with the Word Craft Journal of Syllabic Verse at wordweavingpoetryjournal.com. Submissions are open until July 15, 2021, which is THIS Thursday! Have you submitted your poetry? At midnight, submissions close, so don’t be late!
This week, I tweeted much of your poetry on the Word Weaving Twitter account. Please follow Word Weaving @word_weaving.
Welcome to our weekly poetry stars celebration. It’s the fifth Tuesday of the month! This is our chance to work with a specific syllabic poetry form. But let’s do something different this time…
First, choose your favorite syllabic poetry form. Write your poem.
Next, give your poem some different characteristics to make it something different. You can change the syllable count, rhyme scheme (add or get rid of it), anything you want to create a new form. Write this poem.
Give your new syllabic poetry form a name.
Use our normal forms: haiku, senryu, haiga, tanka, gogyohka, haibun, tanka prose, renga, solo renga, chōka, cinquain, and its variations, Etheree, nonet, shadorma, Badger hexastich, Abhanga, diatelle, & the Kerf poetry.The optional form instructions are here.
In Japanese syllabic poetry, there is no capitalization on the first word in each line of your poem. Most of the American forms do not use capitalization either. Why? Syllabic poetry is written in breathy phrases, not sentences.
I loved all the wonderful poetry creations. If you haven’t had a chance to read everyone’s poetry, please take some time and enjoy the creativity. This was a fun exercise. It just goes to show how easy it is to create syllabic poetry forms from our usual forms. If your creativity needs a boost, create away!
The photo below was my view this morning. I’ve been dog sitting for Dustin and Molly, our adopted Air Force kids, while they attended a family reunion up north.
Don’t forget to connect with the Word Craft Journal of Syllabic Verse at wordweavingpoetryjournal.com. Submissions are open until July 15, 2021. I hope you will consider contributing. Please follow Word Weaving on Twitter @word_weaving.
I hope everyone had a happy and safe Fourth of July!
Welcome to our weekly poetry stars celebration. This week’s challenge was to choose synonyms for the words, “loose and tight,” using one of these forms: haiku, senryu, haiga, tanka, gogyohka, haibun, tanka prose, renga, solo renga, chōka, cinquain, and its variations, Etheree, nonet, shadorma, Badger hexastich, Abhanga, diatelle, & the Kerf poetry.The optional form instructions are here.
In Japanese syllabic poetry, there is no capitalization on the first word in each line of your poem. Most of the American forms do not use capitalization either. Why? Syllabic poetry is written in breathy phrases, not sentences.
I’m thinking of starting a poetry reading session. Let me know what you think. Read the post HERE.
I loved all the poetry this week. It’s always fun to see what inspires us the most. I would say, Jules’ choice of the theme of discovery fits the bill for most of us!
This week, I’ve selected Donna Matthews to choose a theme for us to work with next month. I liked how she combined the theme of discovery along with the Hemingway quote in her post. I also liked the philosophical tone of her words. The idea of discovery is there, but you realize the truth all on your own.
This week, I’ve asked Donna Matthews to choose the prompt for next month’s challenge. Please email your words to me at least a week before the challenge to tankatuesdaypoetry@gmail.com. Thanks.
Don’t forget to connect with the Word Craft Journal of Syllabic Verse at wordweavingpoetryjournal.com to learn the theme of this first journal. Submissions are open until July 15, 2021. Follow Word Weaving on Twitter @word_weaving.
Happy Summer Solstice! Welcome to our weekly poetry stars celebration. This week’s challenge was to write our poetry based off of the artwork from Kerfe Roig using one of these forms: haiku, senryu, haiga, tanka, gogyohka, haibun, tanka prose, renga, solo renga, chōka, cinquain, and its variations, Etheree, nonet, shadorma, Badger hexastich, Abhanga, & diatelle poetry.
Artwork by Kerfe Roig
Here’s our monthly schedule:
Many thanks to Kerfe for the artwork and to everyone who joined in below:
What a fabulous image we had to work with! Personally, I used all six of my senses to “feel” the magic that slipped into my chōka poetry… and I must add a note about this form. I used rhyme in my poem which is not correct. I couldn’t seem to write the poem without the rhyme, so I called the form “chōka-like,” or “inspired by the chōka form.”
When we create our poems using the Japanese forms, we must stay as true to the rules as possible. However, I see no reason why you can’t get creative… as long as you do not claim the form to be the Japanese form that inspired you. Create & Write On!
There was so much stunning poetry this week. I can’t get over the creativity. When we deal with Ekphrastic challenges we should tune into the feelings the piece of art gives us. Those feelings should be the inspiration for your poetry. It’s not so much what’s in the picture as to how it makes you feel.
Here’s an example of what I’m talking about: Jules has written a haibun that incorporates what is happening in her day along with some of the feelings (the haiku portions) she received from the artwork.
I was really taken with Elizabeth’s tanka. Here’s what she says in her post: “My first thought when I looked at this artwork was about a party in the sky, and of course, the moon is the host of the party!” This tanka sings! The pivot, saluting the moon, shows that party in the sky between the constellations and the dancing birds. We get the second meaning by using the pivot and adding the last two lines! I especially loved the creativity of the phrase “the mystical nightdress.”
I selected this Etheree by Annette Rochelle Aben because she doesn’t describe what she sees, she shares how the image made her feel. What an inspiring piece of poetry!
This week, I’ve asked Annette to choose the Ekphrastic photo prompt for next month’s challenge. Please email your image to me at least a week before the challenge to tankatuesdaypoetry@gmail.com. Thanks.
Don’t forget to connect with the Word Craft Journal of Syllabic Verse at wordweavingpoetryjournal.com to learn the theme of this first journal. Submissions are open until July 15, 2021. Follow Word Weaving on Twitter @word_weaving.
Welcome to our weekly poetry stars celebration. This week’s challenge was to choose synonyms for the words, “dawn & twilight,” using one of these forms: haiku, senryu, haiga, tanka, gogyohka, haibun, tanka prose, renga, solo renga, choka, cinquain, and its variations, Etheree, nonet, shadorma, Badger hexastich, Abhanga, & diatelle poetry.
Remember, in Japanese syllabic poetry, there is no capitalization on the first word in each line of your poem. Most of the American forms do not use capitalization either. Why? Syllabic poetry is written in breathy phrases, not sentences.
What an amazing bunch of poems this week. Thanks so much for joining in and having fun with Gwen’s synonyms.
This week, I chose to feature TJS Sherman‘s poem, “Painters Duel–Dawn versus Twilight.” This reverse Etheree is written in breathy phrases that bring the reader back to the title. The imagery is rich: “purple and orange complementary colors illuminating the sky at opposite ends of the day…” I also like the idea of dawn and twilight competing to be the most beautiful. Notice the shape of the poem—it could be a metaphor for the passage of a day (dawn into twilight, the most light ending in the least light, the day coming—the day going). I like the hopeful and positive message this poem leaves behind.
I also want to share, Ken Gierke’s poem: Anticipation ~ chōka & haiku. I’ve wanted to add this form to our Japanese poetry for some time, so today I did. You will find the choka form on the cheat sheet with instructions on how to write this form. Thank you, Ken!
The chōka (long poem) was the storytelling form of Japanese poetry from the 1st to the 13th century. It is unrhymed and written in alternating five and seven-syllable lines that end with an extra seven-syllable line.
The early form consisted of a series of katuata joined together. (A katuata is 5-7-7 (19) onji, or 5-7-5 (17) onji) and is required for your poem. It is composed of any number of couplets made up of alternating 5-7 onji (sound syllables) per line. In English, we can only treat the onji as a syllable.
A nine-line chōka is 5-7-5-7-5-7-5-7-7 or 5-7-7-5-7-5-7-7-7. Chōka often were followed by one or more short poems called hanka, or “envoys,” summarizing, supplementing, or elaborating on, the contents of the main poem. A tanka would serve as an envoy.
This week, I’ve asked TJS Sherman to choose the two words from which we will choose our synonyms for next month’s challenge. Please email your words to me at least a week before the challenge to tankatuesdaypoetry@gmail.com. Thanks.
Don’t forget to connect with the Word Craft Journal of Syllabic Verse at wordweavingpoetryjournal.com to learn the theme of this first journal. Submissions are open until July 15, 2021. Follow Word Weaving on Twitter @word_weaving.
Happy Memorial Day. As a veteran and the wife of a 100% disabled veteran, I like to honor my fellow military brothers and sisters who lost their lives serving our county in the line of duty. True patriots never forget!
Welcome to our weekly poetry stars celebration. This week’s challenge was to write your poem using the theme of travel/journeys using one of these forms: haiku, senryu, haiga, tanka, gogyohka, haibun, tanka prose, renga, solo renga, cinquain, and its variations, Etheree, nonet, shadorma, Badger hexastich, and Abhanga poetry.
In Japanese syllabic poetry there is no capitalization on the first word in each line of your poem. Most of the American forms do not use capitalization either. Why? Syllabic poetry is written in breathy phrases, not sentences.
On the first of the month, you can write any syllabic poetry form of your choice. The rest of the time, we write our syllabic poetry in one of the forms listed, and we follow a schedule (posted below).
I do this for a couple of reasons. It requires those of you who would like to enter contests or to submit your poetry to literary journals the opportunity to learn how to follow their rules. This challenge gives you that practice. Besides, why enter a challenge if you don’t follow the rules? That’s the challenging part. ❤
She stayed true to the haiku form with no first-line capitalization. The haiku leaves one with the feeling of loneliness, and we sense the journey is a private pilgrimage. The first and last haiku establish the kigo (season word) which designates the time of year. This sequence actually comes full circle, repeating the first haiku at the end which is a great segway into the prose portion of the poem.
The prose is not overstated or flowery. We learn the story of the un-monk, or un-nun, who in the Buddhist tradition carries a begging bowl on their journey to reach enlightenment. In much of Thailand, the monks and nuns own no possessions and must beg for their meals. In the Thai tradition, the men in the family are required to serve in the monastery as a rite of passage which also honors his family.
I liked the internal argument and subsequent answer in the prose: “it is the journey…” and the goal of reaching enlightenment that keeps this individual on the straight and narrow journey. Notice how true to human nature this piece is. The last line: “Whether the goal of enlightenment is reached will be debatable” makes this haibun something we can all relate to.
“Fractured Traveler”
flower moon
skylark’s melody
wistful tune
opal stone
talisman, to pet
reassure
existence
with each passing breath
time passes
slow pilgrim
walking; a deranged
dull silence
rice bowl hung
on a course rope belt
unfulfilled
flower moon
skylark’s melody
wistful tune
Miles to trod with staff in hand, course hooded robe, barely sandaled feet. An un-monk, un-nun, under duress, stressed yet obligated to attempt to gain sanity by following a saint’s trail through an unfamiliar territory. A vow of silence ensures only internal arguments with oneself. Repeat, “it is the journey…” Eventually the destination will be achieved. Whether the goal of enlightenment is reached will be debatable.
This week, I’ve asked Jules to choose the theme prompt for next month’s challenge. Please email your selection to me at least a week before the challenge to tankatuesdaypoetry@gmail.com. Thanks.
Don’t forget to connect with the Word Craft Journal of Syllabic Verse at wordweavingpoetryjournal.com to learn the theme of this first journal.
Welcome to our weekly poetry stars celebration. This week’s challenge was to write our poetry using one of these forms: (haiku, senryu, haiga, tanka, gogyohka, haibun, tanka prose, renga, solo renga, cinquain and its variations, Etheree, nonet, shadorma, Badger hexastich, Abhanga poetry) inspired by Trent McDonald’s photo shown below:
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA: Image credit: Trent McDonald
Remember… the first of the month you can write any syllabic poetry form of your choice. The rest of the time, we write our syllabic poetry in one of the forms listed, and we follow a schedule (posted below).
I do this for a couple of reasons. It requires those who would like to enter contests or to submit their poetry to literary journals to learn how to follow their rules. This challenge gives you that practice. Besides, why enter a challenge if you don’t follow the rules? That’s the challenging part. ❤
The challenge this week explored Ekphrastic writing inspired by visual art (photographs). When you write poetry based on a painting or photograph, we work with symbolism and metaphors. I asked everyone to not just describe what they saw in the image. I suggested we check out How to Write Ekphrastic Poetry and learn how to apply some techniques used in that article to our own poem.
I think you all did that and more! Photo prompts always bring out some of the best poetry and you guys did not disappoint! A few of these poems really stood out. Please check out:
Kerfe Roig’s poem, “Cascade,” was outstanding. This Badger hexastich says it all with only a few words. Kerfe captured the essence of the waterfall. I felt the poem was a metaphor for living life to the fullest. Well done!
This week, I’ve asked Kerfe Roig to choose the photo for next month’s challenge. Please email your words to me at least a week before the challenge to tankatuesdaypoetry@gmail.com. Thanks.
Don’t forget to connect with the Word Craft Journal of Syllabic Verse at wordweavingpoetryjournal.com to learn the theme of this first journal.
Welcome! Check out the main menu item: Poetry Book Publishing Links to find poetry book publishing links, including links to literary journals and poetry magazines accepting submissions of poetry. I update these links (sometimes daily) as I find more publishing opportunities. If you know of a link to add to this list, let me know by email to tankatuesdaypoetry@gmail.com. ❤
It’s the third week of the month! Time for an Ekphrastic #PhotoPrompt
This challenge explores Ekphrastic writing inspired by visual art (photographs). When you write poetry based on a painting or photograph, we work with symbolism and metaphors. This week, don’t just describe what you see in the image. Check out How to Write Ekphrastic Poetry and apply some of the techniques used in the article to your own poem.
Trent McDonald from last month’s challenge has provided the photo for this month’s challenge:
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA: Trent McDonald, photographer
For the Tanka Tuesday Challenge, write your poem in the forms defined on the Poetry Challenge Cheat sheet (click the link below):
A simple yet powerful syllable counter for poems and text which will count the total number of syllables and the number of syllable per line for poems like haikus, limericks, and more.
This site counts syllables and helps you find words that rhyme.
THE RULES
Write a poem using one of these forms: Haiku, Senryu, Haiga, Tanka, Gogyohka, Haibun, Tanka Prose, Cinquain, and its variations, Etheree, Nonet, Shadorma, Badger Hexastich (hexastich for short), and Abhanga. Don’t forget the Diatelle, which is an optional form found here.
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 your link 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:
