Writer. Feminist. Historian. Person.
buried deep inside
embers turn to ash and bone
waiting for a spark
rekindled love fans the flames
the candle burns with fury
Today’s FOWC (CANDLE) and the WDYS photo prompt brought to mind fury and love and buried secrets… thus my bit of verse. Thanks to both for the inspiration.
an open doorway
eyes open as you step up
your heart unguarded
an all or nothing wager
endless possibilities
I was inspired by two challenges today.
Reena’s xploration challenge invited us to explore the space of Passages, Doorways, Thresholds, and/or Transitions, which dovetailed beautifully with dVerse Poets Banned Book challenge. As an avid ally for the trans/non-binary community, I was drawn to the following quote from Susan Kuklin’s book Beyond Magenta.
… my subjects’ willingness to brave bullying and condemnation in order to reveal their individual selves makes it impossible to be nothing less than awestruck.”
Check out both sites for more information on the challenges and for some great writing.
Alternating verses By Tina and David
trace the shadowed lanes
the mind’s meaning hidden still
veiled in the dim light
chamberstick nears old keyhole
air tightens around the glow
wax seeps through cracks
that lost melody flickers
a dance remembered
warm mold on cool skin
death accepts this final cast
breath displaced by form
silence meets the needle scratch
the melody lost again
hands draw thread through gauze
grief hums softly in the weave
~ memory is held
This week I tried something new by writing a rengay with David from The Skeptic’s Kaddish.
I hope you like it as much as I enjoyed the process. Visit David’s site for more inspired bits of poetry.
What is a rengay? Rengay is a form of linked verse created as an alternative to Japanese renga or renku. The form was devised by Garry Gay in California in 1992. A rengay consists of six thematic haiku verses and is normally composed by two or three poets, although solo and six-person rengay are not uncommon. You can read more about this form HERE.
First Love
momentarily
holding space
we breathe together
Brotherly Love
memories
fighting words
partners in crime
Learning to Love Myself
rejection
internalized antipathy
acceptance at last
Not Love
starstruck
stood up
it’s not you
Endless Love
together
holding space
a timeless moment
Inspired by Michelle’s poem, this week’s W3 challenge (in short): Write 5 separate Hay(na)ku poems, each about a different aspect of love, including (but not limited to) the following:
Each poem should stand alone but together create a layered meditation on love.
Form: Hay(na)ku poetry series
Invented by: Filipino poet Eileen Tabios (2003). Structure (per poem):
No rules for rhyme, rhythm, or subject beyond the word count.
Check out Michelle’s poem and more detailed instructions below.
love torn asunder
serrated edges draw blood
but the heart beats on
striking like a billy club
redemption in copper red
Thanks to RDP and Esther for great prompts- SERRATED AND CLUB.
Tina Stewart Brakebill 