Hello, beautiful readers! This week's #TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge provides us with a photo prompt to write an ekphrastic poem. The talented David, from the Skeptic's Kaddish, chose the photo for this week.
This is a photo of his father who has since passed on. The goal isn't to describe the picture but to use the photo as inspiration. As I looked at this beautiful picture, I saw a man who was living in the moment and appreciating the beauty around him, and I saw the love of a son who cherishes this memory of his dad.
Recently, I've read several posts from authors who are grieving the loss of a loved one. And with the recent shootings here in America, I empathize with those who have lost a part of their hearts with these meaningless deaths. So, I let my heart follow its path from grieving to healing.
I chose to use a double nonet. A nonet has nine lines following the syllabic pattern of 9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1. A double nonet would then add another stanza in reverse syllabic order. You can read more about this and other forms here. I chose this form because it looks like an hour glass, which reminds me of just how little time one feels they were given before their loved one leaves them.
Love's Loss
a loved one's death starts with emptiness
heavy hearts, waterfalls of tears
memories cannot be hugged
a song or a picture
reminds us of loss
but we're still here
without them
we must
live
climb
above
loneliness
breathe in fresh air
release all the pain
take one step at a time
find beauty in life again
capture their spirit through love's lens
their essence will surround you always
So beautiful and poignant, Yvi. So we’ll captured! (Harmony) 💕🙂
ReplyDeleteThank you, Harmony! There was a part of me that wanted to shove a huge gap between the two stanzas because I know the grieving process isn't a switch that you can just turn off, but it just looked weird. Lol! I'm glad you liked the poem. :-)
DeleteThank you, Colleen! I'm happy you connected with it. :-)
ReplyDeleteThe wave of grief and love, beautifully rendered. (K)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kerfe! I love the picture that forms in my mind. :-)
DeleteJules, here...
ReplyDeleteIt is through a positive lens that we must continue living. Sharing the good memories helps. :)
I agree, Jules! Being surrounded by people who will let you share the good memories can be very comforting. Thanks for stopping by today! :-)
DeleteYvette, truly a heartfelt poem. Soothing the senses with the postive words are invoked in this poem. Well done.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your thoughts with me. I'm happy you could feel that positivity. :-)
DeleteOh my goodness, Yvette! This is SO good! It touched me deeply!
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you, Jan! A recent post about someone's grief (keeping her name anonymous for privacy) lingers with me, and then hearing that this picture is of David's dad, who has since passed away, the two just seemed connected for me. So, I wanted to honor the ones left behind who must find a way to continue forward with a grieving heart. I'm happy you felt that. :-)
DeleteYvette, you've taken us into the depths of sorrow and brought us back into the light through this poem. Amazing skill, Yvette. I love it. Bravo! 💗
ReplyDeleteThank you, Gwen! Your compliment fills my heart with joy. :-)
DeleteAmen, Yvette - perfectly written!
ReplyDelete~David
Thank you, David! I'm so happy you liked it. :-)
DeleteThe cycle of grief beautifully described 💜
ReplyDeleteThank you, Willow! I appreciate you stopping by. :-)
DeleteAmazing Yvette and so relateable for all of us who have lost those we love.. thank you ♥
ReplyDeleteI appreciate you sharing that with me! :-)
DeleteSo beautiful and heartfelt, Yvette. This poem brought tears to my eyes. Loss is something we all share and it resonates. A lovely way for David to honor his dad.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Diana! I appreciate you sharing that with me. :-)
DeleteThat was a beautiful tribute to the grieving, Yvette. Well done.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mark! I'm glad you liked it. :-)
Delete