#TankaTuesday and Ocean of Grace

3/22/2022

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.

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. 😁

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. :)

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.

Gwen Plano

3/22/2022 16:14:27

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

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.

Gwen Plano

3/22/2022 16:16:52

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

Elizabeth Gauffreau link

3/22/2022 15:42:30

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

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. 😊

CS Boyack

3/22/2022 15:53:04

I like this one. Says quite a lot.

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.

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.

Gwen Plano

3/22/2022 16:21:46

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

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.

Gwen Plano

3/23/2022 06:45:40

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

Harmony Kent link

3/23/2022 09:49:54

Absolutely fantastic, Gwen. So beautiful 💕🙂

Gwen Plano

3/23/2022 21:26:52

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

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

Gwen Plano

3/23/2022 21:28:09

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

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.

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. 😊

Yvette M Calleiro link

3/23/2022 15:50:15

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

Gwen Plano

3/23/2022 21:30:55

Thank you, Yvette. Much appreciated. 💕

Elizabeth link

3/23/2022 18:22:46

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

Gwen Plano

3/23/2022 21:31:42

Thank you very much, Elizabeth. Much appreciated. 😊

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."

Gwen Plano

3/24/2022 10:08:36

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

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

Gwen Plano

3/24/2022 10:09:13

Thank you, dear Jill. Blessings... 💗

Selma Martin link

3/24/2022 06:11:05

ocean of grace. yes. Lovely, Gwen.xoxo

Gwen Plano

3/24/2022 10:09:56

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

Mark Bierman link

3/27/2022 04:25:52

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

Gwen Plano

3/27/2022 11:04:49

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

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.

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. 💗

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.

Gwen Plano

3/28/2022 06:09:00

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

ben Alexander link

3/28/2022 05:56:07

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

Sincerely,
David

Gwen Plano

3/28/2022 06:10:29

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

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.

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.

#TankaTuesday and Ocean of Grace

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