#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! :-)