Children sing for peace

11/15/2022

Hello blog friends, it's #TankaTuesday, and author Colleen Chesebro has a new Ekphrastic (photo) prompt. She asks that participants choose a syllabic form and create a poem about the image.

My poem is a tanka, a simple 5-line form (5-7-5-7-7), and it is my response to the photo of the Ukrainian dolls below.

children lift their hearts

wiping tears, they sing of hope

hosanna rings forth

sleeping nations awaken

our little ones lead the way

Have a wonderful week, dear friends.
In the United States, we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving.
David's photo above is all the more poignant because
the children in Ukraine are not able to join us for the table feast.

For peace, I long. For peace, I work. For peace, I pray.
May we all, someday soon, celebrate as a family.
❤️

40 Comments

AJ link

11/15/2022 10:13:00

Beautiful <3

Gwen M. Plano

11/15/2022 11:04:26

Thank you, AJ. I'm pleased you liked it. 💙

ms_jade_li@hotmail.com link

11/15/2022 12:24:57

The children have such a burden upon their shoulders. I pray each child goes to sleep with a full belly and under a warm blanket.

Gwen M. Plano

11/15/2022 15:33:27

So true, Ms. Jade Li. They carry heavy burdens and need our prayers.❤️

D. Wallace Peach link

11/15/2022 15:53:23

A beautiful poem, Gwen. How tender and full of care and hope for children everywhere. <3 They will lead the way.

Gwen M. Plano

11/16/2022 04:39:45

Thank you, Diana. ❤️

Elizabeth link

11/15/2022 17:37:31

Beautiful poem, Gwen! The kids and elders are suffering so much with this war. They deserve our thoughts and prayers.

Gwen M. Plano

11/16/2022 04:41:57

I so agree, Elizabeth. Thank you. ❤️

ben Alexander link

11/16/2022 01:51:00

how very sweet, Gwen!

~David

Gwen M. Plano

11/16/2022 04:41:00

Thank you, David. Your selected photo is a powerful reminder. 😊

Marcia Meara link

11/16/2022 06:15:02

Beautiful reminder, Gwen! Thank you for sharing, and I hope your Thanksgiving is a blessed and happy one, my friend! 🤗❤️🤗

Gwen M. Plano

11/16/2022 07:05:39

I hope your Thanksgiving is blessed as well, dear friend. ❤️🤗❤️

john howell link

11/16/2022 06:15:19

My heart breaks for the little ones and one would think the Russian people would feel the same. If they did the aggression of a madman would be over in an instant. Beautiful poem, Gwen

Gwen M. Plano

11/16/2022 07:06:54

Thank you so much, John. The needless suffering in our world is overwhelming. I'm often brought to tears. 💙

Harmony Kent link

11/16/2022 06:31:03

Beautiful, Gwen 💕🙂

Gwen M. Plano

11/16/2022 07:07:15

Thank you, Harmony. 😊

Kerfe

11/16/2022 06:48:41

Children often reveal the truth to our hardened hearts.

Gwen M. Plano

11/16/2022 08:34:38

So true, Kerfe. Thank you for underscoring that truth. ❤️

Staci Troilo link

11/16/2022 06:52:03

I think we sometimes forget that we can learn from kids. Beautiful, Gwen.

Gwen M. Plano

11/16/2022 08:35:34

Beautifully said, Staci. Their innocence can be very humbling and enlightening. ❤️

Priscilla Bettis link

11/16/2022 07:31:30

Aw, what a sweet poem, Gwen!

Gwen M. Plano

11/16/2022 08:36:04

Thank you, Priscilla. I'm pleased you liked it. 😊

D.L. Finn

11/16/2022 09:23:38

Beaitiful, Gwen! If we only listen to their sweet song of innocence.

Gwen M. Plano

11/16/2022 11:09:00

If we did, we'd have a different world. ❤️ Thank you, Denise.

Jan Sikes

11/16/2022 12:02:14

I love this so much, Gwen. The children are our future and it makes my heart happy to think of them singing of peace! Well done!

Gwen M. Plano

11/16/2022 12:38:27

Thanks so much, Jan. It makes my heart happy as well. ❤️

Joan Hall link

11/16/2022 14:25:09

A lovely poem, Gwen. As Staci said, we can learn a lot from children.

Gwen M. Plano

11/18/2022 07:31:15

So true, Joan. Even an image of them can warm our hearts. Thank you.

Liz Gauffreau link

11/16/2022 15:18:16

I love the poem. Raise those voice high, children. You deserve a better world than the one we're giving you.

Gwen M. Plano

11/18/2022 07:33:36

They certainly do deserve a better world. Thank you, Liz. 😊

Colleen Chesebro link

11/17/2022 12:29:44

Gwen, this is a stunning tanka. I love your sentiments. 💜

Gwen M. Plano

11/18/2022 07:31:56

Thank you, Colleen. Much appreciated. ❤️

mark bierman link

11/18/2022 06:08:47

Sometimes I think we should all adopt the heart of a child. Beautiful poem, Gwen.

Gwen M. Plano

11/18/2022 07:32:27

Wouldn't it be wonderful, Mark? Thank you. 🤗

Karen Ingalls

11/19/2022 05:01:22

I loved it! We all need to sing for peace, but it is the children who will lead the way. Thank you for sharing this inspiring and touching poem.

Gwen M. Plano

11/20/2022 10:52:34

Thank you, dear Karen. I'm so pleased you liked it. ❤️

Balroop Singh link

11/19/2022 09:58:40

Beautiful thoughts Gwen...reposing our hope in children keeps it alive. 🥰

Gwen M. Plano

11/20/2022 10:53:39

Thank you, Balroop. You've expressed it beautifully -- as always. ❤️

Jacquie Biggar

11/26/2022 12:04:35

Peace seems ever distant, but we can pray. Happy Thanksgiving weekend, Gwen {{hugs}}

Gwen M. Plano

11/28/2022 09:00:41

Thank you very much, Jacquie. Peace does seem so distant ...❤️🙏🏼❤️

Children sing for peace

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