Random Word Poetry -- #TankaTuesday

1/31/2023

Hello blog friends,

Today author Colleen Chesebro invites us to create a poem using select random words. This approach is one that poet Jane Dougherty started last year.

Random Word Poetry is new to me, but it was a fun exercise. I chose the words walk, touch, inhale, and bereave from the assigned list at the bottom of the page. I hope you enjoy it.

My poem consists of a four stanza haiku. The first poem guides the following three, each of which begin with one of the lines from the first poem.

Won't you consider adding your own poem? Here's the list of words. It may seem daunting, but once I started, the words flowed.

I hope you have a wonderful week! ❤️

36 Comments

Mae Clair link

2/1/2023 04:14:01

Gwen, that has to be one of your absolute best! It's so poignant and beautiful, and I love the form. I read it multiple times just to wallow in the images and the words.

Gwen M. Plano

2/1/2023 04:44:23

Thank you so much, Mae. Sometimes life's challenges are best expressed in poems. I'm so glad you liked it. ❤️

JILL A WEATHERHOLT link

2/1/2023 05:51:41

I agree with Mae, Gwen. Definitely one of my favorites! Thank you for sharing with us. xo

Gwen M. Plano

2/1/2023 06:36:27

Thank you so much, Jill. This one came naturally. ❤️

john howell link

2/1/2023 06:29:39

A super exercise that produced a lovely poem with a hint of heartbreak. Well done, Gwen.

Gwen M. Plano

2/1/2023 06:37:10

How kind of you to say, John. Thank you. I'm so glad you liked it. 😊

Staci Troilo link

2/1/2023 07:30:51

I love the form and the concept of random words. Your take on the prompt is brilliant. This was such a beautiful and poignant poem. Brava!

Gwen M. Plano

2/1/2023 08:17:27

Thanks so much, Staci. It was a first for me, but I loved it and I'm elated you did as well. ❤️

Jan Sikes link

2/1/2023 07:31:21

What a beautifully expressed poem, Gwen. You did a great job with the random words challenge!

Gwen M. Plano

2/1/2023 08:18:07

Thanks so much, Jan. I'm so pleased you liked it. ❤️

Karen Ingalls

2/1/2023 07:58:17

I like the challenge of this type of poem. You did a beautiful job of capturing the emotions that go with the passing of a loved one. The silhouette walking down a snowy path alone...says so much.
Veery well done, Gwen.

Gwen M. Plano

2/1/2023 08:18:56

Thank you very much, Karen. Hugs to you... ❤️

Yvette M Calleiro link

2/1/2023 09:08:29

That was beautiful, Gwen! I love the format, too! I might play around with it one day.

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

Gwen M. Plano

2/1/2023 09:19:37

Thanks so much, Yvette. It was fun to work with that form. ❤️

Priscilla Bettis link

2/1/2023 09:43:58

"Inhaling symphonies" I love that line! That's exactly what it feels like to walk with a loved one in nature amongst the trees and birds.

Gwen M. Plano

2/1/2023 10:13:20

Wow, thank you, Priscilla. Smiling broadly... 😊

Dan Antion link

2/1/2023 12:00:25

This is beautiful, Gwen. Very well done.

Gwen M. Plano

2/1/2023 12:17:54

Thanks so much, Dan. Your endorsement brings a smile. 😊

Colleen Chesebro link

2/1/2023 13:53:28

Gwen, you've outdone yourself. I love the words you chose and how you wove them into this form. It's really a fun exercise to play with words like this. Bravo!

Gwen M. Plano

2/1/2023 14:15:01

My goodness, thank you, Colleen. ❤️

Liz Gauffreau link

2/1/2023 18:02:33

This is a perfect gem of a poem. I was deeply moved by it.

Gwen M. Plano

2/1/2023 19:56:24

Thank you, Liz. I'm so pleased you liked it. 😊

Harmony Kent link

2/2/2023 03:40:54

Gwen, this is so sad and so very beautiful. I love it. Well done, my friend. Hugs 💕🙂

Gwen M. Plano

2/2/2023 04:17:58

Thank you so very much, Harmony. I'm so pleased you like the poem. ❤️

D. Wallace Peach link

2/2/2023 05:42:06

Wow, Gwen, your poem is stunning. And so moving. I love the tone and the effortlessness of the flow. I think you just invented a new form. This challenge was perfect for you. <3 <3

Gwen M. Plano

2/2/2023 09:11:00

Thank you so much, Diana. It seemed perfect for what I wanted to communicate. A poetry miracle for me. 😊

Balroop Singh link

2/2/2023 10:24:57

Your poems exude warmth that is reaching the hearts Gwen. What an emotional treat! Beautiful poetry.

Gwen M. Plano

2/2/2023 10:46:07

Thank you so much, Balroop. Sending hugs across our beautiful planet. 🤗

D.L. Finn

2/3/2023 11:12:04

There is so much peace and longing in this beautiful piece, Gwen. Love it.

Gwen M. Plano

2/3/2023 11:13:15

Thank you so much, Denise. I'm glad you liked it. ❤️

Elizabeth link

2/4/2023 13:34:59

Oh! I love the way you did it, repeating a line of the previous stanza.

Gwen M. Plano

2/5/2023 03:38:21

Thank you, Elizabeth. It was fun to write. 😊

Robbie Cheadle

2/5/2023 10:35:05

HI Gwen, this really is a lovely and heartfelt set of haiku.

Gwen M. Plano

2/5/2023 10:45:05

I'm so pleased you liked it, Robbie. Thank you. 😊

ms_jade_li@hotmail.com link

2/5/2023 20:57:54

Very nicely done. I think the name of the form is troiku.

D.L. Finn

2/8/2023 09:40:10

This is so beautiful and full of emotion, Gwen. You captured the longing of love so perfectly.

Random Word Poetry -- #TankaTuesday

Leave a Reply.

Archives