Saturday, January 20, 2024

#TankaTuesday 24 Seasons Syllabic #Poetry Challenge - #Syllabic #poem #poetrycommunity #seasonalKigo #Kigo #seasons #Shokan #Haibun #homeless #veterans @YvetteMCalleiro

 

Hello, beautiful readers! I hope you are well. If you live in the Northern hemisphere and are enduring the freezing weather, I hope you are able to stay warm and safe. We've had a few windy weeks which has kept me from my beloved beach, but my sister and I have found a few moments to go bike riding. Last weekend, we complete a 16-mile ride, partly against the wind, which was a challenge but I loved it. Later this afternoon, we are hoping to visit another park for some more bike riding.

For this week's 24 Seasons Syllabic Poetry Challenge, Colleen Chesebro has asked us to choose a poetic form and kigo word of our choice. Yesterday, my sister, who sponsors a high school spoken word poetry club, shared with me a video of her team's group piece. Its focus on was partly on homelessness. As I sat down to work on the poem for this challenge, my thoughts turned to those with no shelter to protect them from the elements.

I enjoyed writing a haibun last week, so I decided to write another one this week. I chose to use winter wind for my kigo.

(courtesy of @Ben_Kerckx on Pixabay)

Unseen

     He lies on the frigid concrete with his back pressed against the uncaring building. His tattered bookbag breaks the icy wind's assault on his face while the sleeping bag a kind soul gave him attempts to prevent his body from getting frostbite. He had signed on the dotted line many moons ago to give his life for our country never realizing his life would become meaningless upon his return from war. He is the unseen, unwanted, and unhoused, and he is cold...so very cold.

winter wind chills bones
layers of dirt give no heat
homeless need love's warmth

Would you like to write a poem with us this week? Join our group here. All are welcome! :-)

27 comments:

  1. Hi Yvette, homelessness during the cold winter months is particularly sad. A beautiful haibun. Robbie

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    1. Thank you, Robbie! I truly hope they all find shelter during these months.

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  2. Sorry the comment about the vets is from me. ~Colleen~

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  3. Thank you, Colleen! It is shameful that our country doesn't take care of them. They should have the best of care and the best services available. It breaks my heart that they are forgotten.

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  4. Yvette, every time I think of a homeless veteran (or homeless anyone!) it saddens me. In FL he has a chance of not freezing to death. Here, it happens :(

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    1. You are right, Lisa! We dip into the 40s some nights, but it's nothing like up north. I know they try to round up the homeless and take them to shelters when it gets cold. I hope they do the same elsewhere. Thanks for visiting and sharing your thoughts. :-)

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  5. A very touching story in your haibun!

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  6. Homelessness is the saddest aspect of modern life and how apathetic are the concerned authorities! So heartbreaking!

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    1. I agree, Balroop! It's a sad blemish on our humanity.

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  7. It's a shame the way we treat our veterans. Even the ones who manage to live somewhat normal lives are haunted by what they saw and did during their service. They need our help and support. Well said.

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    1. I agree, Lisa! They deserve so much more than they are given when they return from their service. Thanks for commenting! :-)

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  8. Yvette, your haibun captures the harsh reality of the unseen and unhoused. The contrast between the veteran's sacrifice for the country and his current plight really touches me. Are you familiar with the "Invisible People" YouTube channel?

    Much love,
    David
    SkepticsKaddish.com

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    1. Yes, David, I am. It absolutely breaks my heart. Thank you for sharing it so others can learn more about the unhoused. :-)

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  9. A touching poem, Yvette, and such a terrible tragedy that the US doesn't take care of our struggling veterans. It's heart-breaking.

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    1. It truly is. Thank you for visiting today, Diana! :-)

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  10. This is beautifully written Yvette 🩷

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  11. That was me Ange (AJ) 😃

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  12. (Jules) It is quite a shame how homeless are treated. There are many organizations here who work together to get them off the streets especially when it is too cold. I wrote a piece Jan 21 '23 called 'Shaken Not Stirred' about an imagined homeless person... though it could seem very real.

    I know that in some states schools opperate all year round. But in those states that don't it has been suggested that the building be used for homeless shelter when not in use. I'm not sure of the logistics... but I think if people worked together ... *sigh*

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    1. Yes, it would take multiple agencies working together and the government being willing to spend money. Given that veterans give their all to the government, it's the least they can do to help them. Thanks for sharing, Jules! :-)

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  13. This brings tears to my eyes. It is just so wrong.

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  14. Oh, that is heartbreaking. Yesterday, 1,000 volunteers in our county went out to count the # of people sleeping on the streets that night.

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    1. How wonderful that so many people were involved in caring for others? That warms my heart, Luanne! Thank you for sharing that with me. :-)

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  15. Beautifully written, Yvette, but your words brought tears to my eyes. It just doesn't make sense how this could even happen. xo

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    1. Aw, sorry for the tears, Lauren! I can't make sense of it, either. :'(

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