Tag Archives: Cinquain

Ekphrastic Poems for Tanka Tuesday

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Portrait of Lady Agnew of Lochnaw (1865-1932) by John Singer Sargent, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

She Knows

her sash,
like lilac is
an intimation of spring,
just this. . .she’s awakened, see her
hunger?

I know

my sash
like lilac is
an intimation of spring,
just this . . . I’m awakened, see my
hunger?

For Colleen’s Tanka Tuesday Ekphrastic Prompt. This is sort of a poetic exercise in syllabic verse. I wrote the first cinquain, and then I re-wrote it in first person, which I think empowers her. I love the way Sargent captured the light on her gown. You can almost feel the fabric, but it was that sash that first caught my eye, and then her direct gaze.

More on Light

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Listen
to the laughter,
chocolate-chased giggling and
bageled love feasts. Sweet echoes that
linger

in light,
flickering flames,
as stars glow from afar
with ghost motes that dust our beings,
always.

A double cinquain for Colleen’s Tanka Tuesday. Colleen asked us to write about holiday traditions. Our family holidays always revolve around food and include lots of laughter. My mom had the best laugh, and we all miss her.

Any War, Every War

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512px-Comet-Hale-Bopp-29-03-1997_hires_adj

Comet Hale-Bopp Attribution: Philipp Salzgeber / CC BY-SA 2.0 AT (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/at/deed.en)

 

Any War, Every War

affects

the heart and mind–

bodies weak, spirits dark

waiting for illumination,

succor

 

within

the downtrodden,

aided by the helpers–

they fight their own weariness, yet

they smile,

 

offer

hope like beacons–

fog lights glowing through murk,

beams cutting through storms, resisting

always

 

with deeds

as well as words

carried in their hearts–peace,

justice, truth, freedom–and then, hope

rising

 

rising

sun, moon, and stars

shoot through the sky, falling

in brilliant clouds, surrounding us

with light

 

and so,

we look again,

up to the sky, seeking

beauty, if not hope, shooting light

at us.

 

 

For Colleen’s Tanka Tuesday using the theme I chose, this quotation from The Merchant of Venice:

“How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world.”― William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice

This is a cinquain sequence where each stanza can stand alone, but also connects to form one poem. I’ve used the syllable/line form of a Crapsey Cinquain, though I don’t think the meter is right.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wonder in Rainbowed Worlds

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Franz_Marc, Blue Horses

Franz Marc, Blue Horses

 

Wonder

as bright stars fill

night sky without design,

arranged by chance, dancing light sings

through time

 

find peace

in prismed glow

sparking within your soul–

rainbowed worlds where blue ponies graze,

content

 

I’m feeling the need for the blue horses today–a Crapsey Cinquain sequence for Colleen’s Tanka Tuesday, using synonyms for plan and spend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

That Day, and Since

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That Day, and Since

Forget?

Impossible.

Lives lost in flamed towers,

toppled, we steer, unmoored—we move

forward.

 

This is a Crapsey Cinquain (syllables 2/4/6/8/2) for Colleen’s Tanka Tuesday, using synonyms for plan and finish.

On 9/11 I always think of this song from the musical Ordinary Days—performed here by Audra McDonald. I think it goes with my poem.

 

 

 

 

 

Shifting

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Shifting

 

Shifting–

green leaves turn brown

and frangible, concede,

never rebelling, rustling

underfoot

 

bees’ buzz

ceases, replaced

by raucous geese in flight

calling themselves home, and we too

abide

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This double cinquain is for Colleen’s Tanka Tuesday, using synonyms for change and defy.

This is a Crapsey Cinquain with syllables 2,4,6,8,2.

 

 

 

 

 

Dreamscape

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Le_somnambule”_(-Лунатик-)_Марка_Шагала_1

Marc Chagall,Le somnambule, [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

 

I.

Moonlight

bathes the figures

balancing and shaking

unsure, spirits of the night world

dreamscape

 

This is in response to Jane Dougherty’s Poetry Challenge. This week’s challenge was a cinquain based on the painting above.

I felt like I wanted to say more though based on this painting and Chagall’s other works.

 

II.

Perilous times.

The moon hums a warning

watching over night-dreamers

and silent screamers

paralyzed with fear.

Uncertainty reigns

at the precipice

the fiddler keeps his balance–

barely.

The roof is steep,

His bows slides, the tune changes

shifts to minor,

a dirge punctuated by the drumbeat of fear

and hate

in the distance,

coming closer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Raven Flies

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Raven

flying at night,

lightning’s jagged staircase

unfurls a luminous pathway

homeward

 

verdant

fields below him,

setting his sights, he soars–

landing by his love-mate, who caws,

softly.

 

This is a cinquain for Jane Dougherty’s challenge.

Apparently raven’s mate for life, and they make “comfort sounds” that are different from their more common “Caws.”  You can listen here.