Blog Archives

A Simple Life Bridge. . .#TankaTuesday

7/25/2023

Hello blog friends,

It's #TankaTuesday and author Colleen Chesebro invites us to write an Exphrastic poem, using as inspiration, the 1816 painting by John Constable, entitled Wivenhoe Park, Essex.

My tanka poem reflects on a small bridge that links the university grounds with the pastoral fields. When I saw the painting, my attention went immediately to that simple structure.

If I were a student at the University of Essex (the building in the background), I would surely cross that bridge. How about you? Do you find it enticing as well?

I hope you have a wonderful week, replete with long walks in nature. All the best to you! 💚

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The Eagle and Our Pilgrimage

7/21/2023

30 Comments

Hello blog friends,

I've another poem to share. It's an unusual one, a special challenge from Colleen Chesebro. In her own words, master poet Colleen explains:

This week's challenge is to write an Imayo poem. Your subject must be about a bird. The imayo is composed of four 12-syllable lines. Each line is divided into a 7-syllable and 5-syllable section, with a hard pause in between.

I've a special love for eagles, so my Imayo focuses on this magnificent bird. I hope you enjoy it.

Have a wonderful weekend - hopefully with cool breezes and soft sunshine. 🌞

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Beach Magic . . . a #TankaTuesday poem

7/11/2023

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Hello blog friends,

It's Tanka Tuesday and poet Colleen Chesebro has another prompt for us. Her friend and photographer, Terri Webster Schrandt, provided a photo for the prompt and explained, "This photo is a filtered version of a lifeguard station and red patrol vehicle at Ocean Beach, San Diego, CA."

Colleen asks that participants use the photo as inspiration but concentrate on imagery.

My poem is a tanka. Having run along the San Diego beaches as a child, I loved creating this poem. It brought back lots of memories and all the associated sensations. I hope you enjoy it.

If you have a favorite beach, could you share? Mine is probably the beautiful coastline of Carlsbad, CA, but quite honestly, I've loved every beach I've visited. ❤️

Have a wonderful week, dear friends.

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Swaying Elegantly - A #TankaTuesday Poem

7/6/2023

32 Comments

Hello dear blog friends,

Author Colleen Chesebro offers an unusual prompt for this week's Tanka Tuesday. I think you'll enjoy trying this one. As a first step, she invites us to find out what type of tree we're aligned with, according to Celtic Tree Astrology. Who knew there was such a thing, right? Once we know our tree, we're to write a syllabic poem and include it. You can find your tree sign here.

According to Celtic Tree Astrology, I'm a Hazel tree. To be honest, I don't think I've ever seen a Hazel tree, but I love its hanging fruit. I've read the description, and it does sound a bit like me. So who am I to question the methodology. 😊

Colleen is brilliant in keeping folks interested in writing syllabic poems. Even novices like me enjoy the exercise of writing and the pleasure of conveying a truth through verse. Maybe you'd like to try too.

Wishing you cool breezes during these very warm days...

All the best to you, Gwen

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