Tuesday, August 12, 2025

Sanctuary - #TankaTuesday #CreativePerspectiveChallenge #GarlandTanka #poem #poetry #poetrycommunity @YvetteMCalleiro



Hello, beautiful readers! It's been a difficult four days, and I'm taking one moment at a time. I'm honestly surprised at how well I'm coping with so much being thrown at me at the same time. My therapy is definitely working. I won't go into details to provide privacy to those who need it, but it's been an emotional roller coaster. I am also back at work. The official school start day is Thursday, and I've been preparing my classroom and attending workshops. My house reno still isn't done. Deep breath...

I've chosen to combine two prompts today. The first one is the Creative Perspective Challenge where Denise provides us with an image to inspire us. The second one is from #TankaTuesday. Colleen encourages us to write an experimental tanka. I decided to write a Garland tanka

(courtesy of Stephani-Elizabeth from Getty Images)

Sanctuary

sun glistens on lake
a tropical oasis
crystal clear water
I plunge into pure beauty
muscles relax instantly

echoes of bird song
through the canopy of trees
sweet, soft symphony
serenades me as I swim
strokes match its rhythm

palm trees sway in breeze
Spanish moss hangs from tree limbs
I see paradise
private cenote for me
shutting out worldly worries

lush vegetation
provides shelter from all storms
Zen space created
an invitation to peace
that I gratefully accept

divine elements
closed eyes focus my senses
nature's jubilance
I inhale serenity
all my worries melt away

sun glistens on lake
through the canopy of trees
I see paradise
an invitation to peace
all my worries melt away


Would you like to write a poem for either of these prompts? Click the links below.


13 comments:

  1. A clever way to combine the prompts, Yvette. You did a great job!

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    1. Thank you, Jan! It felt right to combine them. Thanks for stopping by. :-)

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  2. Such a peaceful and beautiful take, Yvette. Love it! Sending healing hugs that things improve xo

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    1. Thank you, Denise! I really appreciate those hugs. XOXO

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  3. Ah! The healing touch of Mother Nature is articulated so well, Yvette. wishing you a speedy recovery.

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  4. Yvi, I don't know what's been going on, but I hope you are okay. This garland tanka is fabulous. I'm sending you big hugs and lots of good healing energy. 🧡

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    1. Thank you, Colleen! I appreciate your hugs and the healing energy. XOXO :-)

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  5. The poem clearly picks up on the need to breathe, and I resonated especially with the line "I inhale serenity"

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    1. I'm happy you connect with that line, Paul! Thanks for visiting. :-)

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  6. This is so clever 💜💜😊

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    1. Thank you, Willow! I appreciate you stopping by! :-)

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  7. Hoping the most difficult days are behind you. I'm finally at my vacation - we had to cancel the one in September... But maybe we'll find something better.

    If I didn't burn so easily I might take a swim in the ocean in the middle of the day... so far only my feet have been in the ocean in the early morning, and very late afternoons...

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I love comments, so please share your thoughts with me! :-)