Rain or Shine . . .

7/15/2026

Dear blog friends,

It's been quite the week in our area. The Monsoon has arrived in all its fury, and as I write, dark clouds are complaining, sobbing sheets of rain. There are warnings of flash floods and precarious driving conditions -- so hubby and I have decided to stay home and watch/listen to the unfolding drama.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This week's Tanka Tuesday prompt is provided by Colleen Chesebro. She asks that we do a modified Tanka -- a bussokuseki. Basically, this ancient Tanka form simply adds an additional line of 7 syllables.

Rain or shine, nature provides a resting place for my soul. No surprise, my simple poem tries to capture some of its wonder. I hope you like and can relate to it. 😊

Rain or shine, let's all have a great week. ❤️

23 Comments

Dan Antion link

7/16/2026 04:05:02

Sometimes, listening to the rain can be soothing. Whatever your weather, I hope it passes without damage. and I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Gwen M. Plano

7/16/2026 06:51:54

Thank you, Dan. You are so right -- sometimes listening to the rain is soothing. 😊

Priscilla Bettis link

7/16/2026 05:48:56

Yes, it sounds like a time to stay home. I love your description of the clouds and rain. I've never heard of a bussokuseki, but I enjoyed yours.

Gwen M. Plano

7/16/2026 06:52:48

Thank you, Priscilla. I had never heard of this poetic form either, but it was fun trying it. 😊

John W. Howell link

7/16/2026 08:29:59

Bussoksseki is a new one to me. It works well, though. Well done, Gwen.

Gwen M. Plano

7/16/2026 18:55:20

As it was for me, too, John. But...I'm an imposter poet--I just enjoy the challenge. 😊

Liz Gauffreau link

7/16/2026 09:51:42

Ahh, the miracle of a day unfolding . . .

Gwen M. Plano

7/16/2026 18:55:52

So true...and we so often forget. Thank you, Liz. 😊

Thomas Wikman link

7/16/2026 11:38:16

That is a very beautiful poem and staying home in stormy weather sound like a good idea. I agree, rain or shine, let's all have a great week.

Gwen M. Plano

7/16/2026 18:56:59

Thanks so much, Thomas. It's still stormy in our area, but from the indoors, it's fun to watch. 😊

Tim Dittmer link

7/16/2026 16:25:36

Your poetry is wonderful, Gwen! The Monsoon season in Arizona is amazing to me.

Gwen M. Plano

7/16/2026 18:57:46

I'm not a native Arizonan, so I'm always amazed too, Tim. Thank you for visiting and commenting. 😊

Tim Dittmer link

7/18/2026 15:34:55

Happy to visit and comment, Gwen. 😍

D.L. Finn

7/17/2026 10:34:38

Beautiful poem, Gwen. So peaceful. I hope you stay safe in the storms xo

Gwen M. Plano

7/17/2026 13:56:20

Thank you, Denise. The high desert has dramatic storms. Kinda fun to watch -- from the indoors. 😊

Ange

7/17/2026 13:22:26

Beautifully composed Gwen 🩷

Gwen M. Plano

7/17/2026 13:56:51

Thanks so much, Ange. It was a fun prompt. 😊

Yvette M. Calleiro link

7/18/2026 10:39:51

Wonderful poem, Gwen! Hope the storms brings only needed rain.

Yvette M Calleiro :-)
yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com

Gwen M. Plano

7/18/2026 14:49:20

The rain is much needed for sure...and we've more on the way. Thanks so much, Yvette. 😊

Colleen link

7/19/2026 16:34:47

Gwen, this is a lovely poem. I love your choice of words. I hope you had no damage from the storms moving through. Here's to another great week!! ❤️

Selma Martin

7/19/2026 18:16:27

Gwen, this is a delight to read. Resonates. Thank you. Stay safe.

Paul Cannon link

7/20/2026 08:09:42

I love this and that last line inspires.

Jules Paige link

7/26/2026 10:13:15

We've had a bad storm recently - knocked down quite a number of older trees, and for about a week many were without power. And yet I still think our state is still short on needed waterfall.

It is good to be safe when rain sobs uncontrollably. And to watch nature rejoyce and recover, though to often a hard rain just runs off...

Rain or Shine . . .

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