Happy February, beautiful readers! I cannot believe how quickly January came and went. It was a busy month, and I accomplished most of my goals. I wrote almost every day - either 30 minutes on my WIP or 30 minutes writing a poem. I am reading every weekday during my half-hour lunch. I exercise every morning for about 10-20 minutes, depending on the routine, and I'm trying to walk twice a week in the afternoon (I struggle with that part). Still, all in all, I am quite happy with my progress for January.
For this week's 24 Seasons Syllabic Poetry Challenge, we are still in the season of Daikan, or Deep Cold, and we definitely dipped into deep cold (for South Florida) this week. We got into the high 40s (one night)/low 50s (at least in the mornings, then the high 60s/low 70s by the afternoon before dipping again). And I can confirm that I am not meant for the cold. It gave me an excuse to wear my few sweaters and my leather jacket, but I am ready for the warmth to come back. Unfortunately, the next two weeks don't look promising.
This week, Colleen Chesebro has challenged us to write a series of bussokuseki poems, which is similar to a tanka poem but has an extra line of seven syllables at the end. So, the syllabication pattern is 5-7-5-7-7-7. She's asked us to try to write three of these poems, each using one of the following three kigo phrases:
1. Imbolc or groundhog day
2. Depth of winter
3. Winter sparrow
This one took some thought for me, and I haven't had much time to think. Hopefully, you'll enjoy what I've created.
(courtesy of @AdinaVoicu on Pixabay)
winter sparrow flies
her song comforts in the cold
heard but rarely seen
a small gift of melodies
decorates the snowy trees
sweet, seasonal harmony
relentless winter
burning bonfires for Imbolc
banish body shakes
celebrate the coming Spring
make preparations today
and pray for winter's quick end
cold winds continue
some love the depth of winter
I prefer summer
where my skin soaks up sun's warmth
and my toes dig deep in sand
may winter end, summer start
Would you like to join us in writing a bussokuseki? Click here.
Love these, Yvette!
ReplyDeleteDid it again. It’s Luanne, not anonymous.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Luanne! I'm happy you enjoyed them. :-)
DeleteBeautifully done.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Reena! I appreciate you visiting. :-)
DeleteEach one is a taste of winter, looking at it from multiple perspectives.
ReplyDeleteYou are doing much better than I am at keeping up with your goals! Well done!
Thank you, Kerfe! For me, it's all about creating a routine. So far, my routine has held well. Hopefully, it keeps staying that way. :-)
DeleteLove them all....the sparrow one is exquisite !...Welll done !....Rall
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rall! That one was the hardest for me to create because it's not a bird I'm familiar with. They don't fly this far south. I'm happy you liked it. :-)
DeleteI enjoyed all your lines, Yve and the photos you included.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you’re accomplishing so much already. A good start is tops. I got detailed at the start. February is going well, so far. Spring around the corner—yay. Xo Selma.
I cannot wait for Spring! Bring on the heat...lol! Thanks for visiting, Selma! :-)
DeleteBeautiful, Yvette. I'm not sure which season I like the best, but the summer sun is awfully nice. 😊
ReplyDeleteSummer is definitely my favorite! Thanks for stopping by, Gwen! :-)
DeleteBeautiful lines
ReplyDeleteThank you! :-)
DeleteLoved the poem and the images also
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sujata! I appreciate you visiting and commenting! :-)
DeleteBonfire, bare toes ... so much goodness here!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on those, Elizabeth! Grounding and celebrating! :-)
Delete(Jules) Since I feed my birdies, if I am lucky I can hear them between beakfuls of seed ;) I was just looking at one of the bushes in front of my house... no leaves, but the remains of a nest from last year. I wonder if the bird who made it will come back - or make a new one?
ReplyDeleteMy parents feed their birds as well and get such great joy at watching them visit. They have pigeons who make nests on their porch, and those usually come back. So, maybe yours will as well. Thanks for sharing, Jules! :-)
DeleteYvi, congratulations on reaching your goals for the month of January! I love the different perspectives of winter you chose for your series. I also love that you mixed up the order of the kigo phrases. Even better, you let your personality shine through your words. Excellent!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Colleen! It took me a bit to come up with these. The winter sparrow was stumping me until I realized that it made more sense in my neck of the woods for it to go first. I'm glad you enjoyed my choices. :-)
DeleteHi Yvette, these are beautiful. I especially like the lonely melancholy of the first poem. Like you, I prefer summer. Robbie
ReplyDeleteIf I were a bird, I would definitely be one that flies south for the winter. Lol! Thanks for stopping by, Robbie! :-)
DeleteAbsolutely beautiful, I do not like winter I do not like the lack of light or the cold 💜💜
ReplyDeleteNeither do I, Willow! It just always seems dreary. I was my bright sun and happy skies back. Thanks for stopping by! :-)
DeleteI also prefer summer .... great poems, I absolutely love the winter sparrow - there is a huge bush near me that I never see the birds but there are so many inside it sounds like the bush is alive your "small gift of melodies" really touched this - as I walk near silence falls and then they start to sing again almost one at a time until so loud - I love walking near, but try not to get too close or they totally hush .... really lovely
ReplyDelete💞Suzanne
That's awesome, Suzanne! I always find myself pausing when I come near a tree where birds are singing. I try to find them as well. It's just so peaceful. Thanks for sharing! :-)
DeleteYvette I like all 3 poems, but the one about the sparrow warms my heart.
ReplyDeleteAw, thank you, Lisa! I appreciate you sharing that with me. That seems to be the favorite! :-)
DeleteWonderful words, Yvette. I hope the warm days grace you soon.
ReplyDeleteYou and me both, Mark. It's freezing today (60 degrees)! It should be back in the 80s by Sunday. I can't wait! Lol! Thanks for stopping by. :-)
DeleteYvette, the imagery in your verses captures the essence of seasonal transitions with such vivid detail and contrasting emotions... I particularly like the third verse, which evokes a sense of longing for me.
ReplyDeleteMuch love,
David
SkepticsKaddish.com
Thank you, David! I am definitely longing for summer right now. I am not a fan of the cold. Lol! Thanks for visiting! :-)
DeleteCongrats on the writing progress, Yvette. Wonderful poems - especially the third since I'd love to dig my toes in the sand about now. :-) <3
ReplyDeleteThanks, Diana! Digging my toes in the sand is one of my favorite things to do. Thanks for stopping by. :-)
DeleteDreaming of sandy toes in the depth of winter. Great idea!🏖️
ReplyDeleteThanks, Melissa! So happy you stopped by! :-)
Delete