Hello, beautiful readers! Today, Colleen Chesebro's #TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge invites us to create a poem with the photo featured below as our inspiration. This photo was taken by Terri Webster Schrandt from secondwindleisure.com.
Yesterday, my mother informed me that her uncle was released from the hospital into the care of his wife. He has cancer that appears to have spread. He fell recently and hurt his head, which further complicated things. The doctors wanted him to go to rehab, but he just wanted to go home. After already going through chemo, he's decided his fight is over. He has lived an incredible life filled with crazy adventures and lots of laughter with his doting wife by his side. This last chapter won't be an easy one, but it will not diminish the beautiful memories he has already created in those who love him. So, when I saw this picture, it made me think of the ones left behind.
I chose a rather new poetry form created by the incredible author and poet, Gwen Plano. She called it The 4-11. It has eleven lines with four syllables in each. The first and last line are the same.
I love you still
your sun has set
your ashes lie
next to our lake
where you planted
purple flowers
seasonal blooms
remind me that
you will live on
in memories
I love you still
What does this picture make you think about? I'd love to hear from you!
Would you like to write a poem for this picture? Join us here.
Hi Yvette, sorry to hear about your uncle, wishing comfort to him by the side of his wife now. Your poem is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Elizabeth! She's a strong woman, but she will need plenty of comfort sent her way. Thank you for your kindness. :-)
DeleteI am sorry to hear about your relative Yvette, but your poem is beautiful the 4-11 works so well 💜
ReplyDeleteThank you, Angela! I agree with you - this form works so well for this poem. Thanks for stopping by! :-)
Deletesuch a poignant poem, Yvette :) sorry to hear about your uncle <3
ReplyDeletethat was me, ladyleemanila
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lady Lee! I appreciate your visit. :-)
DeleteDeep condolences! But strong people always overcome.
ReplyDeleteYes, they do, Reena! And my great aunt is a strong woman. Thanks for visiting! :-)
DeleteAfter reading about your mom's uncle and then reading the poem, it amplified the sad feelings about how much he's changed from the person he was and has to accept he will soon be leaving this beautiful world. {{{HUGS}}}
ReplyDeleteThanks for the hugs, Jade! My great uncle lives his life by the Fred Astaire line, "I did it my way!" He has always taken full ownership of his life, and that won't change with this last chapter. He faces everything head on and lives life to the fullest. Even now, he is going to make the most of whatever days he has left on his terms. I admire his courage.
DeleteWhat a sweet poem
ReplyDeleteThank you! I appreciate you visiting. :-)
DeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your great uncle, Yvette. Beautiful poem full of letting go. We have ashes of several relatives in my rose garden. So those blooms are special. Xo
ReplyDeleteThat's beautiful, Denise! I love that. Thanks for sharing. XOXO :-)
DeleteMy prayers go out for the family, Yvette. I love that his well-lived life inspired this poem. Just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jan! He's quite a character, always happy and ready for a vacation. Lol! Thank you for your prayers. :-)
DeleteHi Yvette, your poem is so lovely and poignant, and I'm so sorry to hear about your great uncle. Lovely words to pair with the image. xoxo
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lauren! I appreciate you visiting and sharing. :-)
DeleteYou're very welcome, Yvette!
DeleteTouching and makes me feel so peaceful.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful poem and remembrance, Yvi. Thank you for sharing so personally and thank you for the mention. 💜
ReplyDeleteThank you, Gwen! Your form fit perfectly for this poem. I appreciate you visiting. :-)
DeleteYour poem beautifully captures your thoughts about your grand uncle, Yvette. Poignant and profound. Life is so unpredictable! - Balroop.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is, Balroop, which is why we need to enjoy the precious moments we get. Thank you for visiting! :-)
DeleteTerribly terribly sad.....May the eternal light shine upon him....beautiful poem .. CRESSIDA
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cressida! I appreciate your well wishes. :-)
DeleteThis is so beautiful. I hope your Uncle has a gentle transition to the end of his life . I hope his wife and all of you enjoy his presence 💜💜
ReplyDeleteThank you, Vlad! That is all any of us can hope for at this point. I appreciate your well wishes and your visit. :-)
DeleteYour great uncle sounds like a wonderful man . I pray that you all get to say your good byes . This is a beautiful poem 💜💜
ReplyDeleteThank you, Willow! He is, indeed, a wonderful man. Thank you for your kind words. :-)
DeleteI wonder if you and I saw the melancholy in the photo because of what we are going through. But that blurring of the background…. I love this, Yvette. I’m sorry about your uncle. XO
ReplyDeleteThank you, Luanne! I'm sure our circumstances affected our perception. Thank you for your kindness. :-)
DeleteBased on my own experience, your uncle has made a wise choice. I wish him a peaceful end. Your poem captures the emotion of losing someone you love.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kerfe! He is at peace with his decision. Thank you for your kind wishes. :-)
DeleteYvi, I'm so sorry to hear about your uncle. But this is a lovely tribute to him and his beloved wife. I got goosebumps when I read your words. The first and last line repetition is so effective in this form. 💛
ReplyDeleteThank you, Colleen! Gwen's form really worked for this poem. Thank you for your kind words. :-)
Delete(Jules) May your Uncle have an easy 'transition' and may all the memories be good.
ReplyDeleteWe have a relative going through chemo (well multiple times)... And has within the last year made preperations for his child. (His wife passed years ago.) He is still fighting... but believes the end is closer than farther.
(((Hugs)))
I'm sorry to hear that, Jules. I hope your relative wins his fight. Thank you for sharing and your for your well wishes for my great uncle. :-)
Delete❤️
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Melissa! :-)
DeleteHi Yvette, my husband’s grandmother, aged 101, died in hospital yesterday. She had organ failure from old age. I am sorry to learn about your uncle. This picture also brought forth a rather melancholy poem from me.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear that, Robbie! She lived a long life. I hope it was a great life. Sending hugs and comfort to you, your husband, and the entire family. XOXO :-0
DeleteIt’s Robbie - sorry about the anonymous 🤷♀️
ReplyDeleteSorry about your uncle. He's a lucky and courageous man for knowing what he wants. And for being loved so much. I feel it in your words.
ReplyDeleteYour 4-11 is a delight to read. Lovely. Thanks for sharing. (I'm on PC today) xoxo
Thank you, Selma! He is very much loved. Thank you for your kind words. :-)
DeleteThis is beautiful, Yvette. Sorry about your uncle. I hope it's not too tough on him and the end comes easy. He is fortunate to have a good life. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words, Smitha! He has had a wonderful life. :-)
DeleteBeautiful poem, Yvette. Sending love and prayers for your uncle. 🙏❤️
ReplyDeleteThank you, HJ! I appreciate it. :-)
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