Colleen’s 2020 Weekly #Tanka Tuesday #Poetry Challenge No. 174 #PhotoPrompt #Haiga #Haiku #Tree #Nature

This week’s photo prompt from Colleen is an excellent one. It’s so evocative. Who can this young girl be? And what might her plight be? She looks desperately sad, so I decided to write a poetic haiga in her honour.


Image Credit: Unknown

Abandoned, she slumps down

A blade of grass caresses skin

Her pregnant bump hides.

***

The tree waits

Nature together

Babe in utero.

***

Daughter

Accepted

By tree.

The haiku poem was inspired by the photo of the girl resting by a tree, looking melancholy, a blade of grass reaches upwards towards her chin. It made me wonder what was making the woman so sad.

As it’s a haiku with a tight syllabic count there’s an immediate need to express her plight, so I decided upon an unwanted pregnancy – a girl sitting in nature – leaning against a tree – a symbol of life giving. The tree and nature (the grass,) will not judge her as others might – Daughter accepted by tree. Is the baby the daughter, or is the pregnant woman? Or are all females daughters of nature?

Yes, my mind does work in strange ways and this is only heightened during lockdown.

Via Colleen’s Blog: The HAIGA IN ENGLISH: 5/7/5, 3/5/3, 2/3/2 syllable structure. Haiga is called observational poetry because it contains an image with either a Haiku or Senryu written on it or near it. There are a few hard and fast rules for creating Haiga. The Haiku is the most important part and must standalone.

To join in with Colleen’s weekly prompts: https://colleenchesebro.com/2020/04/21/colleens-2020-weekly-tanka-tuesday-poetry-challenge-no-174-photoprompt/

And might I suggest some poetic reading? A lovely, heart-warming and magical read suitable for lockdown…

Mr. Sagittarius is a collection of poetry, prose and photographic images inspired by the beautiful botanical gardens in Cambridge.

It’s a light-hearted, magical story about two fictional characters, twin brothers Harold and William, their sister Annette and the sibling’s connection to the beautiful botanical gardens in Cambridge.

Moreover, it celebrates many aspects of day to day life including: humour, sibling relationships, beauty, nature, the seasons of the year, love and ultimately magic.

I love spending time in nature taking photos – my favourite photos in this collection are the robin, trees and the dragonfly that grace this little book.

Photography is in my genes – Both my uncle and grandfather were photographers. My grandfather A.G. Ingram was originally with the photography company Ingram, Gordon & Co in Haddington up until the mid thirties. Then he ventured on his own to form the Scottish Pictorial Press in Edinburgh supplying photos to the press. When war broke out Scottish Pictorial Press became defunct. After the war he started AG Ingram Ltd, Commercial Photographers, at three successive locations in Edinburgh, Scotland.

The photographic images in the book are all my own, apart from two images kindly given by Alex Marlowe – a talented photographer.

To buy this book, please visit Amazon, click on the link below:

Available for free on kindle unlimited and to buy in kindle and paperback: http://mybook.to/MrSagittarius

Thank you for entering my worlds. I hope they bring you a touch of magic. And thank you to all the kind people who read and review my work. I appreciate you.

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/M-J-Mallon/e/B074CGNK4L/

Colleen’s 2020 Weekly #Tanka Tuesday #Poetry Challenge No. 173 #SynonymsOnly #Haiku

This haiku is inspired by the river walk near where I live. Yesterday, my daughter and I saw two swans, one was tranquil and the other angrily hissing at two guys on their barge. The two swans couldn’t have been any different!

Believe this Swan’s cute
Elegant fellow’s so calm
Near me’s no problem

Swan wife’s intention
Her whim is to hiss angry
At barge men in boats!

Synonyms of Idea and fancy : belief, intention, elegant, whim.

https://colleenchesebro.com/2020/04/14/colleens-2020-weekly-tanka-tuesday-poetry-challenge-no-173-synonymsonly/

I have a new review for Mr. Sagittarius to share with you from Willow, that cheered me up no end as I haven’t been feeling too well today. Thank you Willow for reading and reviewing. 🙂

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/customer-reviews/R3MH2KY5PXN0GX/

Available for free on kindle unlimited and to buy in kindle and paperback: http://mybook.to/MrSagittarius

Colleen’s 2019 Weekly #Tanka Tuesday #Poetry Challenge No. 161 #PhotoPrompt

Photo via Willow Willers.

 

Trying out the differing haiku formats

In the 3/5/3 format:

 

Summer time

Holiday tattoo

Memories

In the 2/3/2 format:

 

Henna

Tattoo time

Sun fun!

https://colleenchesebro.com/category/colleens-2020-weekly-poetry-challenges/

https://colleenchesebro.com/2020/01/21/colleens-2019-weekly-tanka-tuesday-poetry-challenge-no-161-photoprompt/

And a new form I’ve never come across before:

Gogyohka – no restrictions…

A simple silver band

Could be overlooked

Amongst henna tattoos

Flowers escaping

Fingernails unpolished.

 

 

 

Buy Book: myBook.to/TheCurseofTime

Social Media Links

Authors Websitehttps://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com
Collaborative Bloghttps://sistersofthefey.wordpress.com
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time
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#Book #Review A Haiku Perspective 2018: Annette Rochelle Aben

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Amazon Synopsis:

This is a magical journey through a year in the life of a poet, presented in the format of haiku. Be entertained,and enlightened as you enjoy the worlds of reality and imagination are combined artfully. Dreamers will love this book. Writers will enjoy this book. Readers will enjoy this book. Even those who think they could never appreciate poetry, will enjoy this book. Come and be enchanted by the verbal imagery of A Haiku Perspective 2018.

Thank you to the author for a copy received in exchange for an honest review.

My review:

This is an enchanting book of poetry. So many wonderful haiku! I  love short form poetry and Annette Rochelle Aben’s book covers a multitude of poetic topics in a warm and inviting way.

The first poem Strings is a poignant haiku love story. I read this particular poem several times and seemed to take more from it on each reading. I read it down and then from the bottom up! The family dynamic in this poem changes when a new baby is welcomed and Annette Rochelle Aben captures this to perfection in this thought-provoking poem. The message within will no doubt resonate with many. Love can be the most exquisite emotion. But, there are many loves. Can the love of a child be so consuming that your partner, wife, or husband feels neglected?  I loved how this was expressed in a musical way.

Thereafter, the haiku flow in short bursts of inspiring magic. There are no images to break up the poems. This is pure poetry. And it works.

This is such an amusing, warm-hearted compilation of poetry.

My recommendation: Definitely read! You will be uplifted, you’ll smile and perhaps you might cry. Poetry takes our hearts on a journey. This poetry collection succeeds in transporting you to this special place and this feeling lingers long after you have finished reading.

My rating: 4.5 stars.

Annette Rochelle Aben’s Blog: https://annetterochelleaben.wordpress.com/

Link to buy: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Haiku-Perspective-2018-Annette-Rochelle-ebook/dp/B07BRBDF19/

To read a selection all my A – Z reviews please follow these links:

https://mjmallon.com/2015/09/28/a-m-of-my-book-reviews/

https://mjmallon.com/2016/11/27/my-kyrosmagica-reviews-n-z/

Have you read Annette Rochelle’s poetry? Do let me know if you have. I love comments. 🙂 x

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If for whatever reason you do not consent to the above, please don’t leave a comment on my blog. Full GDPR Privacy and Compliance details: https://mjmallon.com/2018/05/20/privacy-and-gdpr-compliance/

 

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Buy Book: myBook.to/TheCurseofTime

Social Media:

Authors Website: https://mjmallon.com

Collaborative blog: https://sistersofthefey.wordpress.com

Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time

Facebook Authors/Bloggers Support Group:

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https://www.facebook.com/groups/1829166787333493/

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Colleen’s Weekly #Poetry Challenge # 34 – POWER & ALLURE

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Colleen’s  prompt words this week, power and allure are just up my alley!

So here’s a short extract from my YA fantasy manuscript followed by a haiku.

The Curse of Time: The Bloodstone – excerpt. 

Stealing a glance at Ryder I drew in a sharp breath. I had been so absorbed in the drama back at the river that I hadn’t noticed the subtleties flickering like wraiths across his face. I took the time now to note that he had blue-black hair that gleamed in the gloominess of the day. As the rain began to fall, I found myself drawn to his unusual eyes. His inky black eye contrasted with his green eye and had to be his most stunning, and unique, feature. He had long lashes now slicked with raindrops that gleamed in the failing light.  Unable to look away, I stared into those captivating eyes as if they were two dark, mysterious pools pulling me into their depths. I imagined myself sinking into oblivion. I felt light-headed as if I’d lost my grip at the top of a high cliff, free-falling, tumbling over and over again, but instead of fighting against this frightening sensation I welcomed it.

It's World Book and Copyright Day!

© Marjorie Mallon 2017 – aka, Kyrosmagica. All Rights Reserved.

My good friend Colleen Chesebro has taken me under her fairy wings and is working through my manuscript at this very moment….  I can’t thank her enough for all her kindness. She has been such an incredible help….

Just recently, I started a club on Facebook for authors, bloggers and book bloggers – Authors/Bloggers Rainbow Support Club.

Colleen ChesebroDebby Gies (D.G. Kaye Writer) and I run the club together, we are quite some team. The three of us had such fun recently working on a new header for the club (which you can see at the very bottom of this post.)  Guess what? We’ve been looking at rainbows!

During my search I discovered a lovely rainbow fairy, so this one’s for Colleen for all her hard work and help with my manuscript. xxx

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To join in with Colleen’s weekly poetry challenge follow the link: Colleen Chesebro’s Poetry Challenge

Bye for now,

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My social media hang outs:

Twitter: @marjorie_mallon
My New Facebook club : Authors/Bloggers Rainbow Support Club

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Goodreads

Instagram

Twitter

Facebook

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RonovanWrites #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge #145 Beautiful&Curse

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The prompt words really attracted me to Ronovan’s Haiku Challenge this week…. (It’s a long time since I’ve joined in as I have been so busy!) as they relate beautifully to my manuscript – The Curse of Time, which I am close to finishing! I’m doing what I hope are the final edits – you never know if it is truly completed until you send it to your betas/editors!

I’ve written two haiku and used Canva to make them visually pleasing. The second one is using my own photograph of a nasty looking shadow!

Life can take youhigher than anyother kind of drug.

Life can take youhigher than anyother kind of drug.

To join in with Ronovan’s Prompt – I think the deadline is today, hope I haven’t left it too late: https://ronovanwrites.wordpress.com/2017/04/17/ronovanwrites-weekly-haiku-poetry-prompt-challenge-145-beautifulcurse/

Bye for now,

Have a lovely Sunday.

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Colleen’s Weekly #Tanka #Poetry Challenge # 23 – HELP & SMILE

When I read Colleen’s prompt words this week I knew the perfect Tanka would be about an experience I had some time ago. I’d been out in my local supermarket buying the groceries when I saw this elderly lady sitting in the cafe. She wore a birthday badge, and was out celebrating, having a treat.  I couldn’t help but admire her wacky, vibrant hair. We shared a smile, and that lovely moment, and her brilliant smile stayed with me.

#Tanka Tuesday, #micropoetry, #poetry, #5lines

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Hope you liked this week’s Tanka.

To join in the fun visit Colleen’s blog: Colleen Chesebro’s Tanka Challenge

Bye for now,

I hope you agree life’s for celebrating. Enjoy…

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RonovanWrites #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge #136 Eye&Fade

 

 

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I’m in the mood for poetry today! Started off writing two Tanka poems for Colleen’s Tanka Tuesday and then realised I hadn’t done anything for Valentine’s.  To remedy this faux pas I decided to take a gander at Ronovan’s prompt words this week hoping they were a little valentine related and sure enough Eye and Fade were perfect, so I wrote this haiku…

 

xoxo

 

To join in with Ronovan’s Haiku Challenge follow the link: Ronovan Writes Haiku Challenge

 

Happy Valentines!!!

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Much love,

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Ronovan Writes Haiku Challenge: Prompt Words – Gold and Sing

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For the 1st of December I thought it would be a lovely idea to join in with Ronovan Writes Weekly Haiku Poetry Prompt Challenge.

The prompt words this week are gold and sing : Ronovan Writes Haiku Challenge, Gold and Sing

To understand a little of what the following haiku is about I urge you to read a piece of writing that I enjoyed doing some time ago, when my bubble bath took on a bit of an extraordinary form that grew and grew into a swirling mass of monster imagination….

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Serena’s Bubble Monster

My theme for the following haiku….. is to continue this preposterous fun.

Thereafter, I will be writing a piece of flash fiction about the Bubbly Snowman for Solveig Werner’s Advent Calendar on the 24th of December so keep a look out for that on  Solveig Werner blog.  I’m hoping that the snowman might just melt your heart…

As well as this I am joining in with Ronovan’s suggestion to add photos to this post. This is in conjunction with the 52 day Photo Challenge – Extra – The Aran Artisan Photo Challenge– I’ve been baking my Christmas cake – which I’ll be adding extra sherry to!!! and lots of nuts, fruit, glace cherries,….. yum! The recipe is via  Natalie at There She Goes. Thanks Natalie for the awesome recipe, it looks like it’s turned out well…

The mix …

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The cake… turned out heavenly, in fact I could still smell the wonderful Christmassy aroma well into the evening.

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So on to those 1st of December promised haiku Snowman kisses…

Bubbly Snowman Kisses

The Bubble Monster,

Appears in all disguises,

Often he may sing.

 

A hearty Snowman song.

On Snowy Christmas days,

He greets you.

 

Singing golden verse,

He’s always chillingly sweet,

Jewelled admirer. 

 

This Christmas  Cracker,

Bubbly terror of the tub,

So hot, he’s soon gone.

Grab him while you can…

Watch out for his sweet kisses,

They might leave a mark. 

 

Like all cool, chic guys,

He’s bound to rush away fast,

Swirling down the plug.

 

Before he is caught.

By much loved, bearded, guess who?

Prize bubble catcher.

 

Santa’s no nonsense,

He’ll get the reindeer on him,

Send him on his way.

 

***************

 

Trying not to cry,

Teardrops from frosty Lapland,

I sigh, once, twice, thrice.

 

Farewell, Adieu,

Poor Snowman – you melt my heart,

Santa’s cute rival.

 

© Marjorie Mallon 2016 – aka, Kyrosmagica. All Rights Reserved.

 

Ha ha!!! Yes I did say it was going to be preposterous and I wasn’t joking. Well why not? Life is too short to be too serious!

 Hope you enjoyed my silly haiku. I enjoyed writing it.

 Stay tuned…… Kyrosmagica is planning on inviting you all to my Christmas party on this blog on Sunday 18th of December when you can pop by for a bit of virtual ice skating, and to share your news and your lovely links.

Bye for now.

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Ronovan Writes Haiku Challenge: Magic And Stars

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It has been an age since I have written any haiku. Sigh!

Recently  Denis at haiku hound commented on one of my posts, but added – where are your haiku? Good point Denis – his comment prompted me to write this post! Thanks so much for the encouragement. 🙂

Denis is a keen haiku poet, photographer and also has some stunning afghan hounds – do check out his blog:  Haiku Hound – Afghan Hounds

I have really missed joining in with Ronovan’s weekly challenge. Unfortunately I have just been so busy job hunting, editing my manuscript, etc, etc.

Good news – I now have a new job… More about that soon. It’s a bit of a secret. Kyrosmagica likes secrets but all will be revealed soon. But one things for certain I doubt that you will guess what my new job is, as it is quite unusual.

This weeks prompt really caught my attention… Magic and stars. Kyrosmagica is all about the magical moments in life whether it’s simply reading a book, walking and observing the beauty all around us or engaging in creative endeavours. Kyrosmagica also tries to reflect on the deeper aspects of life – you can’t have light without a touch of darkness… But today, I’m feeling lighthearted so let’s celebrate love with Ronovan’s beautiful prompt words magic and stars!

My haiku is inspired by my recent visit to Tavira, in the Portugese Algarve. To find out more about Tavira do visit this excellent website: Tavira Uncovered. In this quaint town there is a bridge dedicated to love! All along the bridge padlocks are attached, with the names of partners, husbands, wives, and lovers!

This particularly bright pink padlock caught my eye. I do hope that Stefan and Claudia are still together!

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Magical Fireworks Explode

Stars twinkle brightly,

Magical fireworks explode,

When I’m near to you.

 

Stars padlocked our love,

In magical Tavira,

Love you forever.

 

The key’s ours alone,

No one else can break the bond,

Magic star of love.

 

This bridge links our love,

A magical star glistens,

On this pink full heart.

 

© Marjorie Mallon 2016 – aka, Kyrosmagica. All Rights Reserved.

Tavira is such a lovely quaint place to visit, with an oldie world charm, so with that in mind here are some of my photos to tempt you:

Two views from either side of the lovers!!! bridge ….

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 My daughter looking tiny amongst the quaint old buildings!
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There are some lovely churches in Tavira:

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Of course when love hits the mark it’s truly magical, and so is Tavira. If you’d like to see my other Portugal post do visit here: Portugal Missing You

I hope you liked my haiku. Do join in with Ronovan’s challenge.

Here’s the link to find out more: Ronovan Writes Haiku Challenge – Magic and Stars

Oh and see if you can guess what my new job is…

Bye for now, much love. Happy Sunday!

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