Poetry – Page 10 – M J Mallon YA Author and Poet

Colleen’s 2019 Weekly #Tanka Tuesday #Poetry Challenge No. 137 #SynonymsOnly

Word prompts: Kind and shift. For kind, I used breed and shift: transform.

The idea for this Tanka came from a passage in my WIP: The Curse of Time Book 2 Golden Healer when Esme (the mirror girl,) tells Amelina (my main protagonist,) about her experience with the shadow men.

Could it be a dream or is it real?

I am currently working through my edits after my beta reading comments with a view to publishing this in the autumn.

Here’s a short extract:

A black furrow of shadows lined his forehead. He beseeched me with his eyes, but when he saw my resolve a maniacal laugh erupted from his demented mouth. This laugh galloped from his lips in the form of a diaphanous spirit which became a pack of wild neighing horses – all black, glossy stallions. They galloped towards me. They didn’t stop, they kept on coming. Their hoofs trampled upon me pounding all of those black shadows away. They should have crushed me but I didn’t die. Instead, their hoofs stamped and stamped, breaking bones, crushing my organs and tissues until the bleeding stopped. The pain was unbelievable. I longed for death. But the horses whinnied, as if laughing. Their laughter ran through my body, fixing my broken bones, easing my pain, making me whole again. They tossed me up in the air, and I landed on top of the lead stallion’s back. He leapt into the blackness, carrying me off with him.

Black Diaphanous Horses

Such a breed they are

Like no other you will see

Transformed from shadows

Wicked horses galloping

Are they real or devil’s dream?

If you’d like to join in the challenge here’s the link:

https://colleenchesebro.com/2019/07/23/colleens-2019-weekly-tanka-tuesday-poetry-challenge-no-137-synonymsonly/

Buy Book: myBook.to/TheCurseofTime

Social Media Links

Authors Website: https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com
Collaborative Blog: https://sistersofthefey.wordpress.com
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time
#ABRSC: Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mjmallonauthor/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/

Colleen’s 2019 Weekly #Tanka Tuesday #Poetry Challenge No. 136 #PhotoPrompt

Who’s blue bike is that?

Oh wait, I see your shadow

Two bikes and two chairs

Two fruit scones, butter and jam

Two old friends sit by the light

To enter Colleen’s weekly poetry challenge follow the link:

https://colleenchesebro.com/2019/07/16/colleens-2019-weekly-tanka-tuesday-poetry-challenge-no-136-photoprompt/

Buy Book: myBook.to/TheCurseofTime

Social Media Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mjmallonauthor/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/

Colleen’s 2019 Weekly #Tanka Tuesday #Poetry Challenge No. 135

This Tanka was inspired by the beautiful Golden Willow Tree in the botanical gardens in Cambridge which I visit frequently on my lunch hours from work.

I wanted to reach for one of its tempting branches but to do so would to risk falling in the water!

So charming you are

Sweet golden willow bending

Longing for water

Not I, deep depths frighten me

I long to touch you… alas…

Pleasing temptation

Your branches beckon nearer

No danger greater

I dangle closer

To make an uncomely splash

To enter Colleen’s challenge follow the link:

https://colleenchesebro.com/2019/07/09/colleens-2019-weekly-tanka-tuesday-poetry-challenge-no-135-synonymsonly/

Colleen asks us to email our poem and the following information to tankatuesdaypoetry@gmail.com the “Title of your poem,” #Form used, by “Your Name,” and the https:// address of your post where you published the post on your blog.

To read my thoughts on the beauty and wonder of these magical trees head over to the Sisters of The Fey Blog: https://sistersofthefey.com/2019/07/11/the-magic-of-trees-the-weeping-willow/

Buy Book: myBook.to/TheCurseofTime

Unique Selling Point: Unique, Imaginative, ‘Charming, enchanting and richly layered this is purely delightful.’

“This delightful book will appeal to teens and young adults who love stories filled with magical crystals, dark family curses, and mysteries waiting to be solved around every corner. Each chapter leads you on a journey of discovery where Amelina earns the right to use three wizard stones to reset the balance of time and finally break the curse that holds her family hostage. A captivating tale!” – Colleen M. Chesebro (Editor)

Social Media Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mjmallonauthor/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/

COLLEEN’S 2019 WEEKLY #TANKA TUESDAY #POETRY CHALLENGE NO. 134 #SYNONYMSONLY

It’s poet’s choice of words this week.

I’m going to have a go at a Shadorma as per the detail on Colleen’s blog:

The Shadorma is a poetic form consisting of a six-line stanza (or sestet). Each stanza has a syllable count of three syllables in the first line, five syllables in the second line, three syllables in the third and fourth lines, seven syllables in the fifth line, and five syllables in the sixth line (3/5/3/3/7/5) for a total of 26 syllables.

When writing a Shadorma I would concentrate on a specific subject. The brevity of syllables is perfect for that kind of structure.

A poem may consist of one stanza or an unlimited number of stanzas (a series of shadormas).

“The Shadorma is a Spanish poetic form made up of a stanza of six lines (sestet) with no set rhyme scheme. It is a syllabic poem with a meter of 3/5/3/3/7/5.

It can have many stanzas, as long as each follows the meter. Little is known about this poetic style’s origins and history but it is used by many modern poets today. This variation of the haiku, which is evident by its syllable pattern, can be seen in use in many writing venues.”

Poetry Forms: Shadorma

Star Beta Readers

Editing

Struggles highs and lows

I’ll get there

I promise

Thanks for all the help, dearest

Star beta readers

I’m in the process of editing the second book in the series The Curse of Time – Book 2 Golden Healer.

I’ve had some amazing help from my blogging friends/authors: Ritu, Willow, Richard Dee, Adele Marie Park, Dorinda.

and to Joy, and Rachael too who have given me some very helpful feedback too.

Please check out these very special angels:

https://butismileanyway.com/

https://richarddeescifi.co.uk/

https://willowdot21.wordpress.com/

https://firefly465.wordpress.com/

https://rachaelritchey.com/

https://dorindaduclos.com/

https://joylennick.wordpress.com/

It’s taking me longer than I originally anticipated to complete this final draft but soon it will be ready for one of my final beta readers – my daughter!

Here’s the link to the prompt from Colleen:

https://colleenchesebro.com/2019/07/02/colleens-2019-weekly-tanka-tuesday-poetry-challenge-no-134-synonymsonly-2/

Colleen was a huge help with book one and I really appreciate all she has done for me. Here’s her opinion of my first book:

The Curse of Time Book 1 Bloodstone:

“This delightful book will appeal to teens and young adults who love stories filled with magical crystals, dark family curses, and mysteries waiting to be solved around every corner. Each chapter leads you on a journey of discovery where Amelina earns the right to use three wizard stones to reset the balance of time and finally break the curse that holds her family hostage. A captivating tale!” – Colleen M. Chesebro (Editor)

Buy Book: myBook.to/TheCurseofTime

Social Media Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mjmallonauthor/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/

Book Review of Devil In The Wind by Frank Prem #Poetry #BlackSaturday #Wildfires

Goodreads Synopsis:
Devil In The Wind is an account of catastrophic fire and its immediate aftermath.

In this 21st century, the whole world seems to be on fire. America burns. Europe burns. Greece is reeling after its own tragedy of fire.

And Australia burns, as it has always done, but now so much more fiercely.

In February 2009, wildfires burnt through entire communities, taking 173 lives and injuring hundreds, while destroying thousands of houses and other buildings. Up to 400 fires destroyed 450,000 hectares of forest, native fauna and habitat, livestock and farmland.

In the aftermath of the fires, the voices of people who had lived through the experience — victims, rescuers, and observers — spoke and were heard.

Devil In The Wind is Frank Prem’s poetic testament to the personal, and very human, accounts of those who themselves experienced and survived Black Saturday.
My review:

I discovered my love of poetry as a teenager and this love continues to this day.

Devil in The Wind is very different from any poetry book that I have ever read before. I’ve never encountered stream of consciousness poems before, or poetry that chronicles such a devastating experience in such a thoughtful, honest, human and visual way.

Poetry delivers raw emotions in a way that prose sometimes struggles to do.

My favourite poems are:

Evidence to the Commission of Enquiry

Like A Duck on The Lake

Portraits in Green And Gold

The look of salvation

First bus to Marysville

The strength of a Trukie

Ever again

Don decides

Frank Prem’s links:

https://frankprem.com/

https://frankprem.wordpress.com/

Thank you to the author for a copy – this in no way affects my review.

My recommendation: 5 stars. Definitely read this, it is a fantastic collection.

Have you read Devil in The Wind?

Buy Book: myBook.to/TheCurseofTime

Social Media Links

Authors Website: https://mjmallon.com
Collaborative Blog: https://sistersofthefey.wordpress.com
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time
#ABRSC: Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mjmallonauthor/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/

Colleen’s 2019 Weekly #Tanka Tuesday #Poetry Challenge No. 131 #SynonymsOnly

It’s nice to welcome Colleen back after her break finding and settling in to her new home in Arizona. I’ve missed writing poetry but I’ve been super busy getting feedback back from my early readers and beta readers on my WIP: The Curse of Time Book 2 Golden Healer.

The synonyms I’ve chosen for beginning are dawn, and for consume – exhausted.

The tulips are from my recent trip to Montreal, Canada – Botanic Gardens. I had a wonderful time there on holiday with my two daughters.

Fields of Bright Tulips

With every dawn

Inspiration finds a way

To bloom in choice words

Until exhausted I dream

Fields of bright tulips

Hope you enjoyed my tanka poem.

Bye for now, happy creating!

Buy Book: myBook.to/TheCurseofTime

Social Media Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mjmallonauthor/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/

Carrot Ranch May 9: Flash Fiction Challenge

Here’s my daft poem in response to Carrot Ranch’s prompt about aging…

AGE – One Letter Short of A Four Letter Word

AGE IS ONE LETTER SHORT OF A

FOUR LETTER WORD!

Desire’s three syllables entwined in kinky Karma Sutra positions,

Movement’s six hundred plus muscles belly aching to stop,

Career crises simplified, await twin oldies bus pass, plus pensions,

Adolescent giggles groan as multiple false teeth fracture,

Luscious locks lost greying in gazillions.

STOP!

Six pack? Remember that? Welcome new look naughty pot belly,

Two elastic boobs yonder yoga style yodeling the floor,

Face it fellows, we’re on

TRACK…

NUMBERED…

Until… endless sleep of blessed youth,

FORESHADOWS ETERNAL

SLEEP TO US ALL!!!

Carrot Ranch’s May 9, 2019, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about growing older. It can be humorous, dark or poignant. It can be true or total fiction. It can be fine wine or an old fossil. Go where the prompt leads!

Respond by May 14, 2019.

https://carrotranch.com/2019/05/10/may-9-flash-fiction-challenge/

That was fun! Lol.

Buy Book: myBook.to/TheCurseofTime

Unique Selling Point: Unique, Imaginative, ‘Charming, enchanting and richly layered this is purely delightful.’

“This delightful book will appeal to teens and young adults who love stories filled with magical crystals, dark family curses, and mysteries waiting to be solved around every corner. Each chapter leads you on a journey of discovery where Amelina earns the right to use three wizard stones to reset the balance of time and finally break the curse that holds her family hostage. A captivating tale!” – Colleen M. Chesebro (Editor)

Social Media Links

Authors Website: https://kyrosmagica.wordpress.com
Collaborative Blog: https://sistersofthefey.wordpress.com
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time
#ABRSC: Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mjmallonauthor/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/

COLLEEN’S 2019 WEEKLY #TANKA TUESDAY #POETRY CHALLENGE NO. 128 #SYNONYMSONLY

I think cats and Buddha have a lot to teach us so I wrote this double Tanka poem for Colleen’s poetry challenge. Isn’t Lily the cat gorgeous? Just like Shadow the black cat in my book!

I had fun choosing some alternative synonyms for Colleen’s poetry challenge – for Spring I chose Develop, and for Sing – Serenade.

Life Lessons from Buddha:

Buddha Teaches us

To develop good habits

Time to meditate

Ensconced by a sacred tree

While sweet birds serenade you.

The tree I had in mind is the Bodhi Tree which is a sacred fig tree in Bodh Gaya Bihar, India.

I had fun choosing bound for spring, and extol for sing.

Life Lessons from Cats:

Bound about, stay curious,

Extol trying hard,

Do what’s right for you, RELAX….

Live, love, unconditionally.

Be determined, but have FUN,

Cats teach us to be all of these!!!

Be confident, keep on trying, do whats right for you, live in the present moment, remain curious, take time to relax, stay determined, love unconditionally.

https://www.yogiapproved.com/life-2/wise-life-lessons-cats-teach-us/

To join in Colleen’s poetry challenge follow the link: https://colleenchesebro.com/2019/03/19/colleens-2019-weekly-tanka-tuesday-poetry-challenge-no-128-synonymsonly/

Lily the cat photo courtesy of Samantha Murdoch: https://samanthamurdochblog.wordpress.com/

Buy Book: myBook.to/TheCurseofTime

Social Media Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mjmallonauthor/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/

Colleen’s 2019 Weekly #Tanka Tuesday #Poetry Challenge No. 125#SynonymsOnly

Who better to write about than my lovely dad, Ronald?

He has always been my inspiration. I doubt I would ever have become a writer if it hadn’t been for him. Both of my parents are much loved and have had an extraordinary life with many stories to tell. My dad is quite the raconteur! He has been fortunate to have travelled to, and lived in, many exotic countries in his life: Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia (where he met my mum,) Africa, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, British Virgin Islands, Fiji, Anguilla, Abu Dhabi… etc.

So this is for my dad, who isn’t Russian but learnt Russian as a young man. I find it quite extraordinary that he still remembers how to speak and sing in Russian after all these years. Like his grandfather, who lived a long life (and walked miles when he was ninety,) he has a zest for life which I admire enormously. And the ladies seem to love dad – apparently he received many birthday wishes from the female golfers in his club! Which mum took very good-naturedly… He is so like his grandfather, (who he loved.)

Apparently his grandfather was also a big hit with the ladies too!

Dad,

Is great,

From his birth,

One of a kind,

He likes a challenge,

A dapper gentleman,

Whose impeccable taste shines,

I’d describe him to impress you,

Just like his grandfather before him,

He dazzles all those he meets with his charm.

From the beginning

He was so adventurous,

Now ninety he sings,

Russian songs to our waitress,

For the record – he’s handsome!

I hope you enjoyed my tanka and etheree. Do join in with Colleen’s poetry challenge.

Here is the link:

https://colleenchesebro.com/2019/02/26/colleens-2019-weekly-tanka-tuesday-poetry-challenge-no-xx-synonymsonly/

And in case you’d like to see how to write an Etheree:

https://colleenchesebro.com/how-to-write-an-etheree-poem/

To see my latest review pop over to Beaton’s blog: https://becomingthemuse.net/2019/02/26/of-the-curse-of-time-book-review/

Buy Book: myBook.to/TheCurseofTime

Social Media Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mjmallonauthor/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/

Colleen’s 2019 Weekly #Tanka Tuesday #Poetry Challenge No. 123 #SynonymsOnly

I could have gone Valentine’s with the prompt words: meaning and passion but instead I went love of trees! Lol. I am a funny one!

An expressive face

Full of such feeling

Carved in wood. I pause.

Mr Frowning Tree,

Stops me on my way to work,

With his cheeky frown,

Little devil what a tease,

I doubt he’s really that sad!

To join in Colleen’s poetry challenge: https://colleenchesebro.com/2019/02/12/colleens-2019-weekly-tanka-tuesday-poetry-challenge-no-123-synonymsonly/

Hope you enjoyed! I love this tree!

Buy Book: myBook.to/TheCurseofTime

Unique Selling Point: Unique, Imaginative, ‘Charming, enchanting and richly layered this is purely delightful.’

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