Fiction and life . . . from the desk of Gwen M. Plano
  • Home
  • Blog Reflections
  • REDEMPTION THRILLER
  • THE CONTRACT Series
  • My Memoir
  • Poetry
  • About

#TankaTuesday and Ocean of Grace

3/22/2022

40 Comments

 
Dear blog friends, I've an unusual poem for you today. Probably we all awakened to hear of more threats of war. With this on my mind, I read today's prompt. Donna Matthews picked the theme -- Fire and Water. You can read about it here.

My poem is a Choka -- my first attempt at writing this type of poem. It is an ancient Japanese storytelling form. Its syllables are 5-7-7-5-7-5-7-7-7. I call it Ocean of Grace. I hope you like it. 
Picture
Stay well my friends and enjoy the blessings of the day. Till next week...
40 Comments
John Howell link
3/22/2022 14:53:46

This is a fire and brimstone poem for sure. You did a great job with the form. 😁

Reply
Gwen Plano
3/22/2022 15:07:03

Thank you, John. A different from my usual, but it wanted expression and the words fell on the page. I'm so pleased you liked it. :)

Reply
Mae Clair link
3/22/2022 15:14:03

Wow! That's superb, Gwen. It may be your first attempt at this form, but you managed to give me chills, especially with those closing lines.

Reply
Gwen Plano
3/22/2022 16:14:27

Thank you so much, Mae. This one arose without much effort. 💗

Reply
Priscilla Bettis link
3/22/2022 15:36:06

I like this syllabic form. Your poem turned out amazing. It's very thought provoking and sobering.

Reply
Gwen Plano
3/22/2022 16:16:52

Thank you, Priscilla. We live in sobering times but the choice is ours, right? 💗

Reply
Elizabeth Gauffreau link
3/22/2022 15:42:30

I hadn't heard of the choka before. Yours is very moving.

Reply
Gwen Plano
3/22/2022 16:19:14

Thank you, Liz. I'm so pleased you liked it. I hadn't heard of choka before today, but when I read about it, I decided to give it a try. 😊

Reply
CS Boyack
3/22/2022 15:53:04

I like this one. Says quite a lot.

Reply
Gwen Plano
3/22/2022 16:19:54

Thank you, Craig. The form lends itself to a story, and for that reason, I used it today.

Reply
Staci Troilo link
3/22/2022 16:07:01

I'm shocked that you're new to this form because you did a splendid job. So powerful! Beautifully done, Gwen.

Reply
Gwen Plano
3/22/2022 16:21:46

Thank you so much, Staci. I'm deeply pleased you liked the poem. 💗

Reply
Joan Hall link
3/23/2022 04:29:58

I can't believe this is your first attempt at this format. Beautifully done. Very sobering but finishes with a ray of hope.

Reply
Gwen Plano
3/23/2022 06:45:40

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

Reply
Harmony Kent link
3/23/2022 09:49:54

Absolutely fantastic, Gwen. So beautiful 💕🙂

Reply
Gwen Plano
3/23/2022 21:26:52

Thank you very much, Harmony. I'm so pleased you liked it. 💗

Reply
Colleen M. Chesebro & Word Craft Poetry link
3/23/2022 09:51:46

I like the chöka form, Gwen. Your poem is filled with fire and brimstone, which is perfect for the theme. This war has everyone on edge. Let's pray for peace and an end to the killing. <3

Reply
Gwen Plano
3/23/2022 21:28:09

Thank you very much, Colleen. Your thoughts are my own. 🙏

Reply
Jan Sikes
3/23/2022 10:45:38

A most powerful poem, Gwen. It is a great response to the prompt. I pray every day for our beautiful world that men are so hellbent on destroying.

Reply
Gwen Plano
3/23/2022 21:30:06

I'm with you, Jan, I pray for our beautiful world. Thank you for your kind comments. 😊

Reply
Yvette M Calleiro link
3/23/2022 15:50:15

It's a beautiful poem, Gwen. You capture what is happening so perfectly! :-)

Reply
Gwen Plano
3/23/2022 21:30:55

Thank you, Yvette. Much appreciated. 💕

Reply
Elizabeth link
3/23/2022 18:22:46

Choka is a nice and your poem is perfect for it, a strong poem.

Reply
Gwen Plano
3/23/2022 21:31:42

Thank you very much, Elizabeth. Much appreciated. 😊

Reply
Karen Ingalls
3/24/2022 05:22:25

Wonderfully written. Captured several emotions. I love the last sentence "bathed in God's ocean of grace."

Reply
Gwen Plano
3/24/2022 10:08:36

Thank you, dear Karen. That's my favorite sentence as well. 💗

Reply
Jill Weatherholt link
3/24/2022 05:56:39

Loved the last line, Gwen! You did a wonderful job with this. Thanks for sharing. xo

Reply
Gwen Plano
3/24/2022 10:09:13

Thank you, dear Jill. Blessings... 💗

Reply
Selma Martin link
3/24/2022 06:11:05

ocean of grace. yes. Lovely, Gwen.xoxo

Reply
Gwen Plano
3/24/2022 10:09:56

Thank you, Selma. I'm so pleased you liked it. 💗

Reply
Mark Bierman link
3/27/2022 04:25:52

Wow, I had a strong visual on that one! Well done, Gwen.

Reply
Gwen Plano
3/27/2022 11:04:49

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

Reply
Diana Peach link
3/27/2022 18:25:26

I tried his form for the first time a couple of weeks ago, Gwen, and I really like the extra lines it gives us over the tanka. You did a beautiful job with it. Your poem is powerful and thought-provoking. What a horrible situation in Ukraine.

Reply
Gwen Plano
3/28/2022 06:08:08

Thank you very much, Diana. There's much sadness/worry in our beautiful world and poetry sometimes offers a way to express it. 💗

Reply
D.L. Finn
3/28/2022 01:35:42

That was so powerful, Gwen! I could see them huddled in a basement and one bringing light to the group. Well done.

Reply
Gwen Plano
3/28/2022 06:09:00

Thank you, Denise. This one wrote itself and surprised me. 💗

Reply
ben Alexander link
3/28/2022 05:56:07

wow, Gwen, how intense - that last line caught me off-guard!

Sincerely,
David

Reply
Gwen Plano
3/28/2022 06:10:29

Thank you, David, for your kind comment. Always appreciated. 😊

Reply
joylene link
3/28/2022 10:39:24

I agree with everyone, Gwen. Your poem is both disturbing and beautiful. I hope it reminds people to look at the light in every moment of every day.

Reply
jules link
3/30/2022 10:02:31

Your verse reminds me of the fire and brimstone preachers...
Most of whom where really just preaching/ reaching to fill their own pockets. The current news reminds me of WWII. And that the lessons were not learned... We can only hope aide gets to those in need.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    For blog updates, please subscribe below. 
    * indicates required

    RSS Feed


    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    June 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013

Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. ―Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning


Plano Enterprises, LLC
Photos used under Creative Commons from Kevin M. Gill, Joel Bedford, qthomasbower, crosescribe, Juho Holmi, diana_robinson, W Presley & B Kunce Photography......WI. USA, U.S. Geological Survey, Ian Sane, florianric, NikoMC, van Van Es, Yen Chao 趙彥, MissMessie, Yuriy Kuzin, Ben Zvan, Bichuas (E. Carton), Nina Matthews Photography, hehaden, alexdecarvalho, Tim RT, Kurdistan Photo كوردستان, Candida.Performa, peddhapati (Thanks for 1M Views!!!), Jhong Dizon | Photography, Waheed Akhtar Photography, lawmurray, USFWS Pacific, JalilArfaoui, SurFeRGiRL30, Lauren Finkel Photography, maf04, SantaRosa OLD SKOOL, Dakiny, vauvau, Zanastardust, Monica's Dad, timpeartrice, marumeganechan, Rafael Acorsi, seyed mostafa zamani, Jorge Franganillo, Irene Grassi (sun sand & sea), The National Guard, D.Fletcher, nada abdalla, Ted LaBar, alison.mckellar, Infomastern, Elvert Barnes, m01229, theglobalpanorama