A simple walk or run . . .

11/30/2021

Hello blog friends. It's Tanka Tuesday and author Colleen Chesebro presents us with another prompt. All participants are to write a tanka prose. Colleen describes this form as having a title, a preface, and then the poem. Here goes:

SOVEREIGNTY
Yesterday late afternoon, I took a walk on a mile-long path near my home. I'm one of the few who use this path, but yesterday I had company.

I hope you have a wonderful week!

30 Comments

Staci Troilo link

11/30/2021 07:19:27

What an experience, Gwen! And I love the poem.

Gwen Plano

11/30/2021 08:14:14

I'd heard that javelina were in the area, but I never met one until yesterday. It certainly took me by surprise. Thank you, Staci. 😊

Priscilla Bettis link

11/30/2021 07:23:16

If I saw javalinas on a walk, they would hurry me along, too!

Gwen Plano

11/30/2021 08:15:50

They're fierce creatures and I'm a pansy at heart. 😁 Thank you, Priscilla.

Elizabeth Gauffreau link

11/30/2021 07:27:49

I love this "postcard poem"!

Gwen Plano

11/30/2021 08:16:53

Thank you so much, Liz. 😊

Marcia Meara link

11/30/2021 07:44:24

Great poem, and what?? You have javelinas where you live now? I never imagined that ... but I can sure imagine the surprise of having them show up on your walk.

We have some wild boar down here, bigger, but I've never, ever seen one in all my years of hiking and canoeing. (Gators like pork, I'm thinking.) I'd love to see these guys!

Thanks for sharing your talent with us, Gwen. I learned to write free verse and blank verse while in high school (60 years ago come spring), but haven't mastered these "new to me" shorter forms. YOU most definitely have! 🤗💖

Gwen Plano

11/30/2021 08:20:32

Thank you, dear Marcia. This was a surprise that I'll long remember. 😁 I just told my son who thrives in the wilds, and he offered an excited "cool!". Mind you, my heart was beating, but more out of fear than excitement. 💗

Marcia Meara link

11/30/2021 09:38:18

I would have felt a bit of both, but more toward excitement because I THINK they'd only likely attack if cornered or threatened. I'd back off slowly and take pictures, for sure. (Even if the last one was taken with me lying flat on my back and a javelina stood on my chest staring down at my face.) 😂😁😁

Jan Sikes

11/30/2021 07:56:55

Yes! Definitely time to walk or run the other way! Great way to turn the experience into an awesome poem!

Gwen Plano

11/30/2021 08:21:02

Thanks so much, Jan. This one was easy to write. 💗

ben Alexander link

11/30/2021 10:01:39

Gwen, here in Jerusalem there have been increasing sightings of wild boars in urban areas, probably due to forest fires... and residents are scared. I think one man even got hurt by a boar.

I'm glad you're ok.

-David

Gwen Plano

11/30/2021 11:06:02

Other than being shocked by the encounter, I'm fine, David. Thank you for sharing about boars in Jerusalem. I never would have expected them in urban areas. Goodness! 😊

john Howell link

11/30/2021 10:10:41

Super poem. I think you made the right choice, Gwen. Those guys are not something to mess with for sure.

Gwen Plano

11/30/2021 11:02:23

Thank you, John. I agree with you -- they're not to be messed with. 😊

Pat Garcia link

11/30/2021 13:08:28

Hi,
I would have done a quick 100 meter dash to safely and laughed my head off afterwards.
Wishing you a great week too.
Shalom aleichem

Gwen Plano

12/1/2021 16:49:46

It does make me laugh, but I'm sure careful now. Thank you, dear Pat. 😊 Shalom

Colleen Chesebro link

11/30/2021 13:41:35

Excellent share of an encounter with the wild javelinas, Gwen. They are some interesting animals. Great photo! Wow! 👀

Gwen Plano

12/1/2021 16:50:58

Thank you, Colleen. They are interesting creatures for sure. Some folks eat them, but I've no interest in such a feast. 😁

D.L. Finn

11/30/2021 13:50:01

I love you put your experience into a tanka. Perfect!

Gwen Plano

12/1/2021 16:51:25

Thank you, Denise. 😊

Joan Hall link

11/30/2021 17:23:44

I would have done the same thing! Turned the other way. At the same time, what a delight to see wildlife.

All we have here are feral hogs, but I wouldn't want to encounter a group of them either.

Gwen Plano

12/1/2021 16:52:49

They are really primitive looking creatures. I'm on alert now when I take a walk. 😃

Yvette M Calleiro link

11/30/2021 20:35:20

You made me laugh with this one, Gwen. I would have been retreating right next to you. Lol! :-)

Gwen Plano

12/1/2021 16:54:08

Thank you, Yvette. They are scary looking creatures. When I walk now, I'm on hyper alert. 😁

Jacquie Biggar

11/30/2021 20:40:46

Cool looking critters! Are they aggressive, Gwen?

Gwen Plano

12/1/2021 16:56:14

There are plenty of stories about them attacking, so people in my area, keep their distance. I don't plan on finding out. 😁

Harmony Kent link

12/1/2021 03:45:02

Wonderful Tanka, Gwen. I love how you made poetry out of your experience. I would have retreated right with you, lols. Love that photo 💕🙂

Gwen Plano

12/1/2021 16:57:42

It was a funny experience. First shock, then terror, then OMG, I have to get out of here. Thanks, Harmony. 😁

Balroop Singh link

12/2/2021 09:37:57

Real experiences make wonderful poems, as they express emotions eloquently. I love this poem Gwen.

A simple walk or run . . .

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