Mercury retrograde tanka

Tanka Tuesday #Poetry Challenge – Mercury Retrograde

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Tanka Tuesday

 

This week’s Poetry Challenge at Colleen Chesebro’s blog, we were given the words ‘celebrate’ and ‘number’ to replace with synonyms. My tanka includes ‘counting’ and ‘festive’.

 

Mercury Retrograde

 

Mercury retrograde tanka

 

 

Struggling to get through

This crazy retrograde time

Festive cheer on hold

A collision course of sorts

Counting days till normalcy

 

If you’d like to join this challenge, here are the rules:

 

WELCOME TO TANKA TUESDAY! Happy Thanksgiving Week

 

HERE’S THE CATCH: You can’t use the prompt words! SYNONYMS ONLY! Except for the first challenge of the month ~ then, the poets get to choose their own words. ❤

 

For Colleen’s Weekly Poetry Challenge, you can write your poem in one of the forms defined below. Click on the links to learn about each form:

(Currently, free-verse prose poems are NOT part of this challenge)

HAIKU IN ENGLISH 5/7/5 syllable structure. A Haiku is written about seasonal changes, nature, and change in general.

TANKA IN ENGLISH 5/7/5/7/7 syllable structure. Your Tanka will consist of five lines written in the first-person point of view. This is important because the poem should be written from the perspective of the poet.

HAIBUN IN ENGLISH Every Haibun must begin with a title. Haibun prose is composed of short, descriptive paragraphs, written in the first-person singular.

The text unfolds in the present moment, as though the experience is occurring now rather than yesterday or some time ago. In keeping with the simplicity of the accompanying haiku or tanka poem, all unnecessary words should be pared down or removed. Nothing must ever be overstated.

The poetry never tries to repeat, quote, or explain the prose. Instead, the poetry reflects some aspect of the prose by introducing a different step in the narrative through a microburst of detail. Thus, the poetry is a sort of juxtaposition – different yet somehow connected.

Cinquain ALSO: Check out the Cinquain variations listed here: Cinquain-Wikipedia These are acceptable methods to use. Please list the form you use so we can learn from you. 

Etheree The Etheree poem consists of ten lines of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 syllables. Etheree can also be reversed and written 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. The trick is to create a memorable message within the required format. Poets can get creative and write an Etheree with more than one verse, but the idea is to follow suit with an inverted syllable count. Reversed Etheree Syllable Count: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Double Etheree Syllable Count: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 10, 9, 8, 7, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1

Senryu in English 5/7/5 syllable structure. A Senryu is written about love, a personal event, and have IRONY present. Click the link to learn the meaning of irony.

 

Source: Colleen’s Weekly #Tanka Tuesday #Poetry Challenge No. 111, “Celebrate & Number,” #SynonymsOnly – Colleen Chesebro ~ The Faery Whisperer

18 thoughts on “Tanka Tuesday #Poetry Challenge – Mercury Retrograde”

    1. Thanks Marian. This poetry challenge is fairly new to me as my good friend Colleen got me hooked. Whodathunk I’m writing haikus, tankas and even Etherees! 🙂

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  8. When do we start to feel that sense of normalcy, Debby?! I am already in a tizzy about the holidays as we’re moving too… Days are flying by! Great writing, perfect for this time of year xo

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    1. Thanks Christy. I wish I had an answer for you as this is definitely one wild ride. I suggest you buckle up, take one day at a time as to not get overwhelmed, and don’t forget to breathe! ❤

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    1. November is notorious for the planets out of whack this year. Stay buckled up Sal, this crap will ease a bit Dec. 7th, and should be on its way out by Christmas Eve! ❤ xxx

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