Early morning fog Encircles the lone giant Dew weighs heavily The cedar weeps under strain Droplets roll down limbs They cling to tips of needles Refusing to fall Rays of sun break through the gloom Each branch bejeweled with diamonds Dawn brings perspective In light of new beginnings Burdens are recast Enchantment hewn from sorrowsContinue reading “A Chōka: Burdens Recast”
Tag Archives: choka
A Choka: Sotto Voce
To old ways we cling Colorful coral bleached white Death lies under foot A sotto voce ignored We dance in shadows Grooves tread in infertile soil Voices in our heads Drown meaningful messages Choruses played on repeat A subtle whisper Heard with silent attention Soft voice speaks volumes An ode to humanity A seque to aContinue reading “A Choka: Sotto Voce”
A Choka: Fig Harvest
Ripened finally Time for harvesting is now All at once it comes Way too much of a good thing Creativity Is required in the kitchen A love-hate relationship Abundance of figs Hang heavily on the tree A curse and reward Consumed fresh, dried, stewed and baked Perhaps I should learn to can Colleen’s TankaTuesday PoetryContinue reading “A Choka: Fig Harvest”
A Chōka: Dead End?
From new beginnings We flow on the path of change Work and family Promotions, marriage, children But in the endings Great transformation is found Death of a loved one A path’s literal dead end Painful suffering Meaningless and meaningful Brings about new beginnings #Tanka Tuesday Poetry Challenge, Specific Theme, 10/8/2024 hosted by Sadje. “Write a syllabic poemContinue reading “A Chōka: Dead End?”
A chōka: Summer Butterfly
Slow transformationMetamorphosis completeIt soars on a gentle breezeSummer butterflyViewing the world from aboveRelishing first flightIntoxicating pollenDraws it dancing on petalsOblivious of its past Colleen’s 24 Seasons Syllabic Poetry Challenge, No. 42
Signs of Spring
On a lone flowerThe first butterfly of springDrinks with great fervorLaughing mountains discoverColorful rainbowsMarch winds stir dandelionsRooted in spring mudWintering insects take flightAfter long winter slumber Spring at lastMortals sing with joySongs of hope Colleen’s 24 Seasons Syllabic Poetry Challenge, No. 24, 3/5/24 dVerse Quadrille #196 – Let’s have a Slumber Party! hosted by Punam.
A chōka: Fleeing South
Great snowstorms up northWinter’s wrath is upon usFleeing as a birdSeeking respite from the coldFrigid winds blow southSought warmth remains elusiveBare branches tauntingDefying the need for greenNo doubt I shall persevereSettled in deep southBiting northern winds muzzledCool breeze on bare skin Thawed in the warmth of the sunA gift of spring in winter Colleen’s 24Continue reading “A chōka: Fleeing South”
Picnic Repellant
Midday sustenance Placed upon a checkered cloth Spread atop a hill Shaded by an ancient tree Pristine lake belowSerene cows grazing green grassA warm summer breeze Provides the stench of cow dung Unappetizing picnic A picture worth a thousand words may still only tell half the story. Prompted by Colleen’s Tanka Tuesday Poetry Challenge No.Continue reading “Picnic Repellant”
A chōka: Magical Artists
Magical artistsPull lines and light from their hatsWaving magic wandsSpewing color on canvasCreating objectsActual or imaginedLeaving us in aweOf the otherwise mundane An adorned cup of water Prompted by Colleen Chesebro’s #TankaTuesday #Ekphrastic #Poetry Challenge No. 325, 6/20/23: “This #TankaTuesday challenge explores Ekphrastic poetry, inspired by works of art.” See Rebecca Budd’s blog on theContinue reading “A chōka: Magical Artists”
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