A laugh wings–
flies through memories and
dreams. Sings like a mockingbird, repeats
again, imprinted in our minds, within our genes–
well, who’s to say? We remember a
glance, words said—heart-haunted—
we grasp, hold.
For Colleen’s Tanka Tuesday, I’m trying a triquain, a form I found on Shadow Poetry. “The Triquain, created by Shelley A. Cephas, is a poem with several creative variences and can be a rhyming or non-rhyming verse. The simpliest form is a poem made up of 7 lines with 3, 6, 9, 12, 9, 6, and 3 syllables in this order.” [Misspellings in original.]
I’m also linking this to dVerse, Open Link Night, where Grace is hosting.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
“A laugh wings-” ❤️ What an utterly stupendous image this is, Merril! I agree, it does fly through one’s memories. 🙂
Thank you so much! ❤️ I suppose it’s a good thing to have flying through memories.
How important a laugh is. I love the thought of a laugh having wings, flying into our memories and dreams. I can tell by the photo how great a laugh your mom had. May it always remain in your memory. ❤
Thank you, Pam. I know you understand. My mom really did have a great laugh, and sometimes she’d laugh and not stop, and then we’d all start laughing. . .❤️
I LOVE that kind of belly laughing- so good for the soul. 💖
Yes–a physical release that makes your whole body feel better.
Wow, wow, wow! I am stunned. This has such beautiful vibrancy in this poem, and the imagery is gorgeous. Laughter is so powerful and important–you communicate that well in this poem. Beautifully written!
Aww–thank you so much, Lucy. I love your enthusiasm! In my mom’s last few years, her laugh became something that we really talked about a lot because sometimes she would laugh and couldn’t stop, and then we’d all be laughing. 😀
Wow! I love how you’re trying new forms, Merril. But this reads like someone with a great deal of experience. Nicely done. I love the photo of your sweet mother, too! ❤
Thank you very much, Jill. I really like this photo, too. I stole it from my younger daughter’s FB page. 😏
This week was “Poet’s Choice” for Colleen’s challenge, so I decided to try something new, but for her challenges, you can only write syllabic poetry.
An interesting form indeed, but…form, schmorm. The poem itself, however syllabized (syllablated?), R.O.C.K.S.
Thank you so much, Ron! I’m pleased you liked it. 😀
I love the form and vibrancy of the words. Specially like laugh wings and heart-haunted.
Thank you so much, Grace!
This is delightful and such a kerfs t image of Mom laughing! Loved it.
Thank you very much, Rene! I think my younger daughter took the photo.
It’s beautiful!
❤️
I can see where a loved one’s laugh imprints on us. Nice form for the subject, which felt light and airy as you told your story. Your mom looks like she has a joie de vivre in your photo. Great shot!
Thank you so much. My mom really did much of the time.
I think my younger daughter took the picture. My daughters could always get her to laugh.
You’re very welcome.
This is so true! I had an uncle who had a big hearty laugh… His daughter has the same laugh! Very well done.
Thank you very much, Dwight. That’s funny that your cousin has the same laugh. Laughs like that makes the people around them laugh, too.
and my cousin is his daughter not his son!
😀
Interesting form Merril. Your mom’s smile just explodes off the page — great pic! 🙂
Thank you so much, Rob. I think my younger daughter took that photo.
I am sorry for your loss. This is a wonderful tribute.
Thank you very much, Ingrid.
utterly moving – literally too the way the words snake through the lines like smile lines
Thank you so much, and what an interesting observation about the words/lines. Thank you for that!
Heart-haunting is the right expression 🙂
Thank you. Yes. 😀
🙂
Such a poignant, ‘heart-haunted’ poem, Merril. I like this form and would like to give it a try some time. You’re so right about laughs – they are like birds, all so different and memorable. I can still hear my mum’s – other people say they can hear her in mine.
Thank you so much, Kim.
I think I’ll definitely try this form again–there’s a lot to work with.
How lovely that your laugh reminds others of your mom. My husband apparently has many mannerisms of his maternal grandfather.
Lovely combination.
Thank you very much, Derrick.
Cheers to good memories based on a laugh.
Thank you, Frank!
Your mother’s photo is frame-able, in my opinion. I keep a photo of my mother beside the TV, and I often say “Hi” or “Thank you” to her as I come in from the patio.
You’ve done a great job with the triquain, much too complicated for me. I guess I’ll stick with haiku. The photo made me smile.
Thank you very much, Marian. I think my younger daughter took the photo–I “stole” it from her FB page. 😏 It makes me smile, too.
This form really wasn’t complicated. I think a haiku is much harder to write–so many rules for three lines. I really struggle with them!
heart-haunted—
we grasp, hold.
Poignant and beautiful! Love the photo of your mom.
Thank you so much! ❤️
Merril, you know that look one of your children gives you that looks just like the way your mom or dad used to look… that’s what your words captured here. It is in the genes! I get goosebumps thinking about it! A magical and touching tribute to your lovely mother. The Triquain is another interesting form. I’d like to add some more American syllabic forms later this year. I’ve added it to my list. ❤
Thank you so much, Colleen. I’m so pleased that I touched something in you. ❤️ I hadn’t thought about it quite that way, but I definitely know what you mean.
I would definitely try this form again. It’s syllabic, but flexible, like a shadorma, where you can have lines run on and include a bit of rhythm to your words.
I like the flow, as well. The flexibility is helpful as some of the Japanese forms are so structured. I love that about them, but it’s nice to have some flexibility. I do want to add a few more American-ish forms after the first of the year. Even one with a rhyming scheme! 😀 ❤
I love this tribute to your mother. What a great photo!! My mother’s laugh was rare; I was one of the few people who could coax it out of her.
Thank you so much, Liz. I think my younger daughter took the photo.
I suppose that’s a good feeling that you could get your mom to laugh. In her last few years, my daughters would say outrageous things to my mom to make her laugh.
You’re welcome, Merril. Yes, it was a good feeling to make my mother laugh.
The best kind of memory to hold on to.
Wonderful, Merril! She who laughs, lasts!
I find that I miss the sound of laughter… I hope for such a wind soon.
Thank you very much, Björn.
Wow. Your poem is so sweet and meaningful. Love it! ❤ xo
Thank you so much, Vashti! ❤️
Love that pic of your mom. From that smile I can imagine that great laugh.
Pat
Love that pic of your mom. From that smile I can imagine that great laugh.
Pat
Thank you so much, Pat!
What lovely poem❤. Indeed, mothers’ really do have an amazing laugh😍
Thank you. My mother had a laugh that made everyone else laugh along.