The Dancers #TankaTuesday

3/15/2022

Hello dear blog friends. It's time for poetry and today's prompt is extra special.

Author Colleen Chesebro collaborated with Selma to choose a Degas painting related to the Russian people. They intentionally disassociated the military invasion of Ukraine with the heart of the Russian people. With that in mind, they invite all interested poets to create an Ekphrastic poem using this painting as the inspiration. My simple tanka follows:

I hope you enjoyed my poem, and I especially hope you have a marvelous Spring day.

36 Comments

Yvette M Calleiro link

3/15/2022 13:05:04

Great Tanka, Gwen! Now we just need war to take its leave with winter. :-)

Gwen Plano

3/15/2022 15:43:43

Thank you so much, Yvette. If only war could take its leave...oh how I pray for that to be the case. 💗

Jacquie Biggar

3/15/2022 16:50:48

Degas work is beautiful! I love the joy in this photo and your poetry, Gwen- lovely.

Gwen Plano

3/15/2022 20:56:19

Thank you, Jacquie. I'm so pleased you enjoyed it. 😊

Selma link

3/15/2022 19:25:31

May this be the poetry we keep alive of the people of Russia. It squeezed my heart. Thanks for sharing. lovely. xoxo

Gwen Plano

3/15/2022 20:57:14

Thank you, dear Selma. You offered a wonderful theme and image. 💗

Harmony Kent link

3/16/2022 05:57:42

Beautiful poem, Gwen! 💕🙂

Gwen Plano

3/16/2022 06:28:45

Thank you so much, Harmony. 😊

Elizabeth Gauffreau link

3/16/2022 06:11:02

I love your poem, Gwen! It verbalizes the painting beautifully--the perfect way to start my day. (Very gray and cloudy here today.)

Gwen Plano

3/16/2022 06:33:03

Thank you, Liz. It's warming up here and folks are spending time outdoors. Spring has arrived in our area, and I hope soon for you. 😊

Staci Troilo link

3/16/2022 06:52:11

I love this idea, and I love your poem, Gwen. So nice to see something positive (regarding Russia) for a change. I think a lot of people forget that the citizens do not necessarily support the government (whether they can say so or not).

Gwen Plano

3/16/2022 08:16:57

Thank you, Staci, I so agree. The people are probably like us -- innocent of the government's choices. 😊

Natalie Ducey link

3/16/2022 06:55:41

This is lovely, Gwen. Thanks so much for sharing! xo

Gwen Plano

3/16/2022 08:17:19

Thank you so much, Natalie. 😊

Priscilla Bettis link

3/16/2022 07:09:35

It's a jaunty poem. Thanks for sharing, Gwen!

Gwen Plano

3/16/2022 08:18:02

I like that, Prescilla - jaunty. Thanks so much. 😊

Annette R Aben link

3/16/2022 07:44:40

Flipping my skirts around and joiing the dance! :)

Gwen Plano

3/16/2022 08:18:28

Thank you, Annette. I feel like dancing too! 😊

Jan Sikes

3/16/2022 08:02:33

I love this, Gwen. You captured a culture, springtime and joy all in one poem!

Gwen Plano

3/16/2022 08:18:48

Thank you so much, Jan. 😊

Mae Clair link

3/16/2022 08:56:41

A fantastic poem, Gwen. I feel for the Russian people who don't support Putin's War (and it is Putin's War). The picture makes my heart sing, as does your tanka. Hopefully spring will also usher in peace for Ukraine an the Russian people.

Gwen Plano

3/16/2022 10:42:45

My hope as well, Mae. Thank you so much. 😊

john howell link

3/16/2022 09:52:38

Happy spring, Gwen. Lovely poem.

Gwen Plano

3/16/2022 10:43:12

Thank you so much, John. 😊

D.L. Finn

3/16/2022 14:35:47

Beautifully said, Gwen. It is a different mindset under a control flow of information.

Gwen Plano

3/17/2022 05:18:21

Thank you, Denise. Blessings...

Joan Hall link

3/17/2022 04:38:52

Wonderful, Gwen. I'm so looking forward to spring.

Gwen Plano

3/17/2022 05:19:16

Thank you, Joan. Once our nights stop freezing, I'll be in the garden. Can't wait!

Colleen link

3/18/2022 09:23:33

Gwen, your poem is stunning and exactly where Selma and I wanted to go! The Slavic countries still celebrate many of their spring goddesses by wearing flowers in their hair. Degas captured the dancing women in all their glory! Thanks for your lovely poem. <3

Gwen Plano

3/18/2022 13:31:27

Thank you so much, Colleen. You and Selma picked the perfect painting for the times we are in. 💗

Jill Weatherholt link

3/20/2022 05:32:26

This is beautiful, Gwen! Happy Spring! xo

Gwen Plano

3/20/2022 06:46:37

Thank you so much, Jill. Happy Spring to you as well. 💗

Diana Peach link

3/20/2022 10:55:09

It was lovely reading something light-hearted in response to the image, Gwen. All around the world we celebrate elements of life and renewal. If only mankind could focus of our shared humanity. Hugs. <3

willowdot21 link

3/21/2022 02:15:25

So beautiful, the joy of Spring pushing away Winter my the Ukraine do the same to Russia.💜💜

sally cronin link

3/21/2022 08:59:02

Delighteful Gwen... and a celebration of spring ♥

ben Alexander link

3/21/2022 15:38:02

Something about <EM>"young and old"</em> made me feel happy, Gwen. This is sweet.

Sincerely,
David

The Dancers #TankaTuesday

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