A desert challenge. . .

5/4/2023

Hello blog friends!

I'm participating in author Dan Antion's Third Annual Thursday Doors Writing Challenge. Dan invited photographers, who follow his Thursday Doors posts, to submit photos for this challenge. Writers are invited to study the photos and when inspired to create a poem or story.

This is my third submission, a simple tanka, and it's in response to Mary Giese's intriguing photo.

Having grown up in the desert, the above photo caught my attention. There's a strange beauty to the vast areas of sand, but there's also threat.

My father built a dune buggy before such vehicles existed. And with it, he'd take us back into the sand dunes and the deserted Chocolate mountains. I've several stories of rattlesnakes, badgers, and tarantulas. And I've vivid memories of sunburns and blisters on bare feet.

If you've a moment, check out Dan's challenge. You might find memories that prompt a story or poem. I'd love to read your share. 😊

34 Comments

Dan Antion link

5/4/2023 12:27:15

That's very good, Gwen. You've captured the feeling I get when I look at that photo. Thanks for your support!

Gwen M. Plano

5/4/2023 14:15:31

It's a fun challenge, Dan. Thank you for supporting everyone as you're doing. 😊

CS Boyack

5/5/2023 05:06:33

I don’t often get poetry, but this one reminded me of being taken to one of the Indian schools.

Gwen M. Plano

5/5/2023 05:32:51

Incredible insight, Craig. I hadn't thought of that, but your comment certainly took me there. Thank you.

Jan Sikes

5/5/2023 06:56:55

What a fantastic response to the door prompt, Gwen. And the photo of your dad on the dune buggy is priceless! Thank you for sharing!

Gwen M. Plano

5/5/2023 07:30:14

Thank you, Jan. Dad was ingenious and taught all of us to love nature. A product of the Dust Bowl, he grew up extremely poor and had only a few years of grade school education. As he used to say, "if there's a will, there's a way." ❤️

Staci Troilo link

5/5/2023 07:16:28

You're so right. The desert is lovely but dangerous. I can't believe your dad built a dune buggy... especially before that was a thing. That's so cool. I'm so happy for you that you have such wonderful memories.

Gwen M. Plano

5/5/2023 07:31:33

Thank you, Staci. My sibs and I have often commented, "if only Dad had copyrighted his inventions." ❤️

JILL A WEATHERHOLT link

5/5/2023 07:19:58

I enjoyed your response to the door prompt, Gwen. It's perfect! The photo of the dune buggy is incredible! xo

Gwen M. Plano

5/5/2023 07:32:08

Thank you, dear Jill. I'm so happy you liked the poem and reflection. ❤️

Vera Day link

5/5/2023 08:52:34

Evocative poem, Gwen. Your father built a dune buggy? That's impressive!

Gwen M. Plano

5/5/2023 10:18:41

Thank you, Vera, and yes, Dad built it -- and a barge, multiple farming contraptions, etc. 😊

Yvette M Calleiro link

5/5/2023 09:12:54

Great poem, Gwen! I enjoyed visiting the desert, but I completely understood how treacherous it can be.

Yvette M Calleiro :-)
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com

Gwen M. Plano

5/5/2023 10:19:39

Thank you, Yvi. Summer is not the best time to visit, that's for sure. 😊

John howell link

5/5/2023 10:05:42

Excellent, Gwen

Gwen M. Plano

5/5/2023 10:19:53

Thank you, John. 😊

D. L. Finn

5/5/2023 12:19:16

Love this and the lonely door. Perfect poem to accompany it!

Gwen M. Plano

5/5/2023 17:32:35

Thank you, Denise. I'm so happy you liked it. 😊

Liz Gauffreau link

5/5/2023 13:29:41

You've written a very haunting tanka. In just a few short lines, the poem gave me an entire group's history of seeking and finding a new place.

Gwen M. Plano

5/5/2023 17:33:30

Thank you for sharing this, Liz. Pleases me immensely.

Tim Dittmer link

5/5/2023 15:52:35

You sure captured the feeling of that photo with your poem, Gwen. Great job! :-)

Gwen M. Plano

5/5/2023 17:33:58

Thank you, Tim. I'm glad you liked it. 😊

Karen Ingalls

5/6/2023 04:19:24

The desert has its own beauty, but also many dangers. Your poem and photos captured both. Your dad loved the dune buggy. My dad loved collecting rocks in the desert. I wonder if they ever crossed paths.

Gwen M. Plano

5/6/2023 06:12:19

What a fun thought, Karen. Maybe they're chatting in heaven. ❤️ Thank you for the comment and the smiles. Hugs.

Mary Giese link

5/8/2023 12:35:37

Gwen, I'm honored that you were inspired by my door photo. Wonderful image within the tanka, wonderful memory of dad and the dune buggy. The open doorway and brick wall are not exactly in the desert. Do you want to know where?

Gwen M. Plano

5/8/2023 14:45:18

Thank you, Mary. After I wrote the piece, I tried to find the structure. By chance is it on Pikes Peak? If so, how incredible is that! It may not be sitting in the desert, but it surely looks like it. 😊

Diana Peach link

5/9/2023 07:32:57

A stark tanka, Gwen. I'm a forest girl, but there's definitely a wild beauty in the desert that I enjoy. What a childhood you had exploring the sand and rock. Thanks for sharing a peek.

Gwen M. Plano

5/9/2023 21:15:36

Thank you, Diana. I love the forests, and though I haven't lived in one, I've spent most of my post-high school years in very green areas. ❤️

Roberta Eaton Cheadle

5/9/2023 22:45:15

Another wonderful contribution, Gwen. Your father was very innovative.

Gwen M. Plano

5/10/2023 14:14:53

Thank you, Robbie. He truly was an innovative person. 😊

Patricia Furstenberg link

5/11/2023 22:14:04

Such a beautiful entry to the TDWC!

Cheryl Batavia link

5/16/2023 20:58:25

Beautiful site, Gwen. <3 A lovely, poignant tanka about the haunting photo! How amazing that your father designed and built that dune buggy!

Brenda

5/28/2023 08:32:49

Well done, Gwen. I felt the heat and despair in your poem. What an interesting childhood you had. I'm sure there are many stories you could tell. :)

Stephanie Finnell link

6/9/2023 17:09:33

I wasn't a writer in the Thursday Doors Writing Challenge but enjoy reading the entries. Yours included!

A desert challenge. . .

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