Poetry – Page 8 – M J Mallon YA Author and Poet

Colleen’s 2020 Weekly #Tanka Tuesday #Poetry Challenge No. 175, #ThemePrompt #Shadorma #COVID19 #Coronavirus

This month’s theme is:

“The Day After”

Elizabeth, from Tea and Paper, chose the theme.

My two Shadorma below are inspired by our current situation during this COVID19 crisis. They reflects my growing sense of sadness and unease at the magnitude of deaths throughout the world. It’s so sad and frightening. In the UK alone over 26,000 people have died to date.

And all the while here in Cambridge the sun has shone practically every single day of Lockdown. A couple days ago, we had some rain and even a short burst of thunder and lightning. And yet, immediately the sun returned.

How strange.

Life goes on, sunshine, showers and thunderstorms but such tragedy remains.

The sun shone

Enticing us all

To play out

With old friends

The rain cried behind the sun

Days after Lockdown

***

Life goes on

Sunshine, and showers

Cloudbursts weep

Death toll peaks

My heart screams behind thunder

I hate you virus.

To join in with Colleen’s poetry challenge follow the link: https://colleenchesebro.com/2020/04/28/colleens-2020-weekly-tanka-tuesday-poetry-challenge-no-175-themeprompt/

Sorry this week’s poem is a sad one. Sometimes emotions are better released than locked away.

My latest release, an uplifting collection of poetry, prose and photography to cheer you up during Lockdown.

Some good news – I have a new 5 star review – for Mr. Sagittarius via author Adele Marie Park:

Adele Park 5.0 out of 5 stars A poetic journey through life Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 April 2020 Verified Purchase Shaped with poems and beautiful pictures this book is a must-read and keep. This novel is the kind you will go back to again and again to dip into and read your favourites. A fantastic book, the author has delivered with engaging characters and beautiful prose. Well done.

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

Also, don’t forget my debut novel – A YA fantasy – The Curse of Time Book 1 Bloodstone (Which is recommended for those who like a great story combined with poetry – this novel begins each chapter with a Tanka poem.) If you’ve haven’t read it yet, do check it out, before book two comes out!

I am currently in the throes of editing!

Buy Book: myBook.to/TheCurseofTime

Authors Website: https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.com
Authors Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/M-J-Mallon/e/B074CGNK4L
Twitter: @Marjorie_Mallon and @curseof_time Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjmallonauthor/
#ABRSC: Authors Bloggers Rainbow Support Club on Facebook
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17064826.M_J_Mallon

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/m-j-mallon

Collaborative Group: https://www.facebook.com/pg/5SpiritualSisters/

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.

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/

Social Media Links

Authors Website: https://atomic-temporary-67364188.wpcomstaging.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/

Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/m-j-mallon

https://www.facebook.com/5SpiritualSisters/

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 Poetry Challenge #Cinquain #Poetry #Challenge #VincentVanGogh #COV19 #Coronavirus

A Mirror Cinquain.

Which comprises a : Cinquain, 2 , 4, 6, 8, and Reverse Cinquain 2, 8, 6, 4, and 2

Here is my poem about the Spring Garden painting which was stolen from the Singer Laren Museum in the Netherlands on Van Gogh’s birthday.

What strikes me about this is the calculated nastiness of:

1. Stealing the painting on the artist’s birthday.

2. Particularly as Van Gogh never achieved recognition during his lifetime which was tormented by poverty, mental health problems and ultimately suicide.

3. Timing the robbery to occur on the First day of Spring.

4. When the world is in the throes of a terrible virus which is killing thousands of people. What a calculated act.

Vincent

Van Gogh’s birthday

Marred by show off robbers

An opportunist crime caper

So sad

More so

‘Cause Vincent didn’t get his dues

Virus villains stealing

Priceless Beauty

In Spring

To find out more about the robbery:

Van Gogh painting Spring Garden stolen from Dutch museum: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-52097246

https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/news/van-gogh-spring-garden-stolen-painting-netherlands-singer-laren-a9436036.html

The link to Colleen’s blog to join in her challenges:

https://colleenchesebro.com/2020/03/31/colleens-2020-weekly-tanka-tuesday-poetry-challenge-no-171-specificform/

What do you make of that?

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

Early reviews: 5 stars from Ritu Bhathal https://butismileanyway.com/2020/02/29/february-2020-books-amreading/

And 5 star review from Colleen Chesebro: February 2020 Books #AmReading

Another 5 star review from Sally Cronin: https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2020/03/04/smorgasbord-book-reviews-poetry-and-prose-mr-sagittarius-by-m-j-mallon/

#BlogBattle: Castle #poetry #daughters #mothers #family

https://blogbattlers.wordpress.com/2020/03/03/blogbattle-castle/

This poem is for my daughters who have had their share of troubles. Some minor, some more major. This is for them, and for all the young women out there who have to be brave sometimes in extraordinary circumstances. We are living in difficult, frightening times with the inner cities being home to knife crimes and gangs. Coupled with this are many other hazards for young women nowadays.

Two young girls, one blonde one dark, my girls,

My daughters, grown now. I remember

trips, sunshine, parks, castles,

Ball parks, parties, giggles,

Sleepovers.

Oh, the sleepovers! Crazy friends, fights, bullies,

Shenanigans, strange confessions.

It was simpler then

How life changes.

Until hormones raging

Enter the boyfriends staying over

Not, if dad has his way. Ever. They plead.

Determined. He weakens, gives in.

I do too, not knowing

What to do.

Starts off well, until tears, heartbreak,

A hug, a kiss. Mr. Blue Eyes

is not so carefree I say, but girls

in love don’t listen.

Who would?

Don’t trust a player, I cry. Do they take

My advice? Sometimes not enough.

They ask friends, me, everyone,

Make choices.

I sigh.

Now the drama’s nearly over. I tremble.

Expecting the next crisis to come

rippling around the lake.

The waters swaying. It’s stiller now.

They’re wiser.

I’m ecstatic! They’ve escaped their troubles

They’ve put up their moats. Hurrah.

Don’t cry my beauties.

You did the right thing

The waters yelling.

Nasty slaps, stares, cheats, assorted

Vicious nasties, hooded hoodlums

And gangs don’t make a man

But kindness does, you’ll see

Find your soulmate

For your own dear castle. Rejoice

my lovelies you’ve learnt

To be brave and true.

I’m so proud

Of you.

Two girls, older now, two blondes,

Both lighter, my girls, my daughters

Such a sweet reflection

My dearest castle,

My family.

For all the mothers and daughters out there this poem is for you.

Stay safe and well.

Buying Link: http://mybook.to/MrSagittarius

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/

Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/m-j-mallon

Book Review – Walk Away Silver Heart by Frank Prem #love #poetry

Goodreads Synopsis:

This is a collection of love poetry inspired through interpretation of phrases in the Amy Lowell poem ‘Madonna of the Evening Flowers’ (A Lowell, 1919). This collection of poetry is the first of a planned series of three, with poems derived from Walt Whitman (Leaves of Grass, 1855) and T. S. Eliot (The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, 1910) also scheduled to feature in their own collections.

The nature of the love poems in this collection is personal or interpersonal.

Frank Prem’s interpretations breathe a new life into contemporary love poetry and utilise Lowell’s original work to inspire a tender immediacy and a wonderful warmth of response.

My review

Walk away silver heart is the first of three poetry collections written for A Love Poetry Trilogy.

My favourite poems:

the way you wield (flashes in the light)
too much (to bear)
finding me (a warm place carried)
I think (I paint)
murmuring (the lake)
need (goes on)
chiming a little tune (of you)
for the summer
red and pink the blossom
tell me everything (about you)
walk away (silver heart
and again
lucky one
a muse for the madonna (awesome!)

I received an ARC copy from the author Frank Prem and am pleased to share my unbiased opinion of his work.

This is a beautiful collection of love poetry and in my opinion my favourite of Frank Prem’s poetry that I have had the pleasure of reading.

Just goes to show I must be a romantic at heart!

My rating: Highly recommended – 5 stars.

Colleen’s 2020 Weekly #Tanka Tuesday #Poetry Challenge No. 166, #ThemePrompt – Finding Clarity

I’m sitting in a cafe in Cambridge watching the snow fall. A lady crosses the road with a large black umbrella, the white flecks of pure snow fall covering its surface. I am drawn to this image to write a poem.

The world faces so many challenges at the moment: climate crisis, Coronovirus, economic crises. Where are we headed? Unfortunately, the Coronovirus has led to some racist abuse due to the origin of the virus. So, this is my poetic take on the state of affairs, expressed with a Tanka…

White snow falls to black
Umbrellas hiding cold stares
Finding clarity
Sick quarantine continues
Media spreads people’s fears.

Thank you so much to Colleen for including my new release Mr. Sagittarius poetry and prose in her online poetry store on her blog: https://colleenchesebro.com/poetry-books-for-sale/

My full colour paperback is now available on Amazon.
Here is the link to Mr. Sagittarius in paperback, kindle and free in kindle unlimited:

http://mybook.to/MrSagittarius

Isn’t that good news!

Until we chat again do check out Colleen’s 5 star review of Mr. Sagittarius on her blog: https://colleenchesebro.com/2020/02/16/colleens-2020-book-reviews-mr-sagittarus-by-author-mj-mallon-marjorie_mallon/

Colleen’s 2019 Weekly #Tanka Tuesday #Poetry Challenge No. 165 #PhotoPrompt #Tanka #Senryu

This week it’s a beautiful photo prompt from Ritu @ https://butismileanyway.com/

My poem’s a sad one today as I recently heard about the tragic death of a young woman in her early twenties. How fragile we are.

I miss you; I’m blue
Above me heaven’s sky opens
My light shines for you
Waiting for you to return
Dinner’s ready love, come home.

Colleen is looking for Senryu poetry in the 3/5/3 and 2/3/2 format to use in her new book as an example. If she uses your poem you will retain all rights to your work. Your work is copyrighted and she will cite you in the Bibliography at the end of the book. Please email Colleen at tankatuesdaypoetry@gmail.com.

I miss you

I’m so blue dearest

Light the way

My love

You left me

So sad

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

Each day is so precious. Much Love. xxx

Colleen’s 2020 Weekly #Tanka Tuesday #Poetry Challenge No. 164 #SynonymsOnly

Love & Harmony were the prompt words this week.

For love I went for lust and passion! For harmony I chose balance and peacefully.

What are Haiku, Senryu and Tanka?

Remember: Senryu poems make the human, not the world around them, the subject of their creative endeavor. Humor and sarcasm are two of the most favorable elements in a Senryu and should deal with the human condition. Think about sexual matters, family relations, religion, politics, and anything that touches on the pain we experience through sorrow, prejudice, oppression, anger, and frustration. Senryu do not deal in sentimentality.

I haven’t written any Senryu before so here goes… I’ve written three…

Lusty lips

Pouted

The Viagra

Swallowed

Peacefully

Downed in one

His lust overwhelmed

He was so fit

Did the splits

Balanced on one leg

Our mismatched passion

Made me quiet

Depleted

My balance

Broken

https://colleenchesebro.com/2020/02/11/colleens-2020-weekly-tanka-tuesday-poetry-challenge-no-164-synonymsonly/

Well, that was a strange one! The Senryu encouraged me to play with words to come up with some unusual results!

Buy Book: myBook.to/TheCurseofTime

Preorder link: Mr. Sagittarius (kindle)

Colleen Chesebro Poetry Challenge: #Haiga #Haiku #Poet’sChoice

An archway of trees

In this bright winter garden

Red-coated lady

***

Who is she?

I would like to know

Her secret

***

Perhaps

She will say

One day.

I happened upon this beautiful pathway in the Cambridge botanical gardens, ( in the winter garden section,) which inspired me to write the haiga above.

In the distance I saw this intriguing lady with a very bright red coat! It appears as if she’s reading a book but I can’t remember what she was doing…

So I wrote a haiga, an observational form of poetry with the following haiku syllabic format: 5/7/5, 3/5/3 2/3/2.

https://colleenchesebro.com/2020/02/04/colleens-2020-weekly-tanka-tuesday-poetry-challenge-no-163-poetschoice/

Buy Book Links:

YA Fantasy:

myBook.to/TheCurseofTime

My latest book:

Amazon UK:

Amazon USA:

https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Sagittarius-Poetry-Prose-Mallon-ebook/dp/B084DQV3HW/

Social Media Links

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

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

This month’s theme is:

“The Day After”

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