Smorgasbord Poetry – Colleen Chesebro’s Tuesday Weekly Challenge – Specific Format -#TankaProse – Murmuration by Sally Cronin

This week Colleen’s Challenge is to write in a specific form which is Tanka Prose.

We have a wonderful colony of starlings who drop in for breakfast, lunch and supper, and any time they need a quick snack. In Spain we were privileged to see a number of murmurations by starlings and also the swallows at the end of summer as they prepared to head to Africa for the winter.

Here we do get a gathering of crows at night before they head off to their roost using the telegraph wires around the house to wait for the moment the sun sets. Our house used to be a wooded area and we think originally it might have been a roost for them. Anyway it is a pretty impressive sight to see thousand of crows circling the house before heading off.

As with many natural phenomenon, scientists are studying the murmurations as they find ways to perfect the swarming of robots.

The masters of this incredible dance in the skies are the starlings and my poem today is a tribute to them.

Tanka Prose – Murmuration

Electricity pulsates through the air and sky. Watchers stand in awe beneath an aerial display that is a miracle of nature. Undulating through intricate manoeuvres, thousands of starlings perform a ritual only they truly understand. Is it to avoid predators, keep warm or simply the joy in their freedom to fly together in such harmony? We can only guess as we are privileged to participate.

avian ballet
backlit by the setting sun
a murmuration
iridescence in motion
defies laws of gravity.

©sally cronin 2022

Thanks to S B for sharing this starling murmuration in East Yorkshire

 

My most recent book is a collection of poetry and was published in July 2021

One of the reviews for the collection

Lizzy

5.0 out of 5 stars A MEMORABLE BOOK THAT SO BEAUTIFULLY CAPTURES LIFE Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2021

This was such a special book for me. Sally Cronin has a true talent for marrying depth and simplicity and making it look easy.

Each poem in this wonderful collection is preceded by a photograph followed by a poem that complements it so naturally. What really impressed me was that the author so easily packs solid truths into poems of so few words. As a reader, I could tell how much thought went into every single word she chose as a brush to paint her stories. There wasn’t one poem that I didn’t read two or three times to fully enjoy its message.

I knew I would love this book with the very first poem, “Washed Up,” showing us the beauty of an object brought to the shore by the sea … one that should have disrupted the scenery, yet oddly enhanced it.

I also loved the poem “Our Legacy” that offered a simple truth about writers. It should be an anthem.

“Silver Lining to Isolation” brought forth truths that I believe most of the world can understand right now. I really appreciated the positive message in what has been a dark, yet revealing/enlightening time for many.

“The Crocodile,” which I won’t explain, was just entirely spot on. I’ll leave that there. “Advancing Years” is another poem upon which I heap similar praise: it was so eerily, yet stunningly, on target.

While most of this glorious poetry is short, its messages are far more poignant than much longer works I have read. I don’t want to mention every poem, but I want to say that I so related to Sally Cronin’s thoughts on climate change, ageism, immortality, and yearning.

Lastly, I especially loved the poetry, preceded by the author’s youthful photos, that so brilliantly captured moments of her early life as skillfully as the photos themselves did. They all resonated so deeply with me.

This is a book one could read (and look at the photographs) over and over and each time, the reader would find a new tidbit or truth not seen before. A truly lovely collection. Kudos to Ms. Cronin with a short message:. I’m so very glad you wrote this!

You can find all my books and buy links: Sally’s Books and Reviews 2022

 

Thanks for dropping by and I hope you have enjoyed the poem.. thanks Sally.

 

Smorgasbord Poetry – Colleen Chesebro’s Tuesday Weekly Challenge #TankaProse – Bear Witness by Sally Cronin

This week for Colleen Chesebro’s Tuesday Poetry Challenge 241 it is to create in a specific form which is Tanka Prose…

Here is my Tanka Prose –

Bear Witness

Images seared on the mind. Men, women and children fleeing a future they have experienced before. Faith lost in those who swore to protect. Fear that borders crossed only hold more danger. Spectators from afar can only look on powerlessly, grateful for the safety and peace they often take for granted.

Do not look away
bear witness to tragedy
give deepest respect
to those who flee tyranny
do not become complacent

©Sally Cronin 2021

There is still time to participate in this week’s challenge: Colleen Chesebro’s Tuesday Poetry Challenge 241 it is to create in a specific form

My latest book is a collection of poetry and was published in July 2021 and here is a recent review.

One of the recent reviews for the collection

Aug 29, 2021 Alex Craigie rated it five stars

Many people are familiar with Haiku, but there are many other forms of poetry where the writer is restricted to a strict pattern of syllables. One of my favourites of these is the Butterfly Cinquain. It has nine lines and the number of syllables allocated to each line gives the finished poem the shape of a butterfly. Just as an expert ballet dancer or gymnast can make what they do seem effortless, so, too, does Sally Cronin –weaving her words into syllabic poetry with a mastery that makes it easy to forget the constraints behind the magic she creates. There are beautiful butterfly cinquains in this book, plus delightful examples of other forms.

The poems in this volume are varied. The tone behind each can be angry, despairing, reflective, brimming with fun or life-affirming and hopeful. This makes it an ideal volume for dipping into when the mood takes you. These are poems to savour. They’re rich, like a box of expensive chocolates, and I enjoyed spending time sampling them in turn. This is another part of the charm for me – you never know what to expect when you turn the page.

Despite the strict syllable count, these poems manage to capture the essence of an idea in a way that doesn’t seem at all forced. In Washed Up and Silver Lining to Isolation, we are shown the positives in a situation. Other examples such as Persecution in the Garden and Is it Time? reveal an anger aimed at people and their disregard for the planet and the creatures we share it with.

Whatever the topic, the images conjured here are vivid and powerful. In Friendship she writes:

Those who hold onto their power/by creating distrust/ fear and hatred/ are weak.

In Cascade: Memories cascade/ tumbling down the precipice of time.

The topics are wide-ranging and include an eloquent attack on fake news and a heartfelt longing for human contact after the barriers created by Covid.

I loved the point made in Hope that Hope is no better than a wish/ needing effort to make come true

The final section of the book is called Slices of Life and concerns events in Sally Cronin’s life. Most of this poetry is in a longer, narrative style with neatly executed rhymes. Again, there’s humour here but also much that I found moving.

Another gratifying aspect of Life is Like a Mosaic is the careful selection of images to accompany each poem. This is a feast for the eyes as well as the ear.

Above all, it’s the closely observed understanding of people and the world in which they live that makes these poems strike a chord in all of us.

You can find all my books and buy links: Sally’s Books and Reviews 2021

 

Thanks for dropping by and I hope you have enjoyed the poem.. thanks Sally.

 

Smorgasbord Poetry – Colleen Chesebro’s Tanka Tuesday Weekly Challenge -#Freeform – Key Words by Sally Cronin

This week in Colleen Chesebro’s challenge, she invites us to go wild and write a poem in any form we like including free form: Colleen Chesebro’s Tuesday Tanka Challenge Poet’s choice

Key words

Just three words
can make someone’s day
I love you
I need you
I see you
I get you.

Just one word
Can break someone’s heart
Goodbye

©Sally Cronin 2021

Thanks for dropping in today and I hope you enjoyed my bit of free form…Sally

There is still time to participate in this week’s challenge: Colleen Chesebro’s Tuesday Tanka Challenge Poet’s choice

My latest book is a collection of poetry and was published on July 19th 2021 and here is a recent review.

Jul 30, 2021 Jacquie rated it five stars it was amazing

Filled with beautiful imagery and lilting lines, Life is Like a mosaic leads the reader on a journey through life, love, loss, and joy.

The author has a unique way of looking upon the world with positivity and grace and it shines within her poetry.

A couple of my favorites are:

The Wise Woman’s Apprentice

This
tiny
and fluffy
bundle of love
has a destiny
about to be fulfilled
in the most glorious way
as she is inducted into
the magical world of enchantment
of being a wise woman’s apprentice

Friendship

Friendship
within our world
belies the divisions
aired by those who think they are strong.
In truth,
Those that hold on to their power
by creating distrust,
fear and hatred,
are weak.

Some will make you smile, while others bring quiet reflection. All are guaranteed to leave a warm glow in your heart. 

Buy the book £3.50 : Amazon UK – And for $4.79 : Amazon US

 

Smorgasbord Poetry – Colleen Chesebro’s Tuesday Tanka Challenge -#Themeprompt #Etheree – Peaks by Sally Cronin

This week on Colleen Chesebro’s Tuesday Tanka Challenge 236 it is a Themeprompt ‘ Expedition’ which has been set by Donna Matthews of the DJ Ranch – I have written an Etheree and hope you enjoy.

image Sally Cronin

Expeditions

All expeditions require careful thought
life and weather can change in moments
ignore those who say it’s foolish
to try to reach for the stars
pushing the boundaries
leaving comfort zones
finding courage
to achieve
all life’s
peaks.

©Sally Cronin 2021

Thanks for dropping in today and please head over to participate in this week’s challenge – Colleen Chesebro’s Tuesday Tanka Challenge 236 it is a Themeprompt 

 My latest book is a collection of  poetry and was published on July 19th 2021 and here is Colleen’s review.

Jul 25, 2021 Colleen Chesebro rated it five stars

Writer and blogger, (and I would add “POET” to that list), Sally Cronin, has compiled a stunning collection of syllabic and freestyle poetry in her newest book. Cronin says, “my intention was to share aspects of life and nature that we experience on a daily basis, but also can sometimes catch us by surprise.”

Through images and poetry, the author invites the reader along on a delightful journey filled with wonder and awe. Each piece begins with an image that delivers the first meaning. However, it is when you read the poetry that accompanies the photo that you discover a more meaningful interpretation from the combination of the two. Therein lies the surprise!

Nothing is mundane to this author. What looks like a bit of fishing gear washed up on a beach finds new meaning in the poem Washed Up, “where even the sea’s rejects provide us with beauty.”

Cronin explores the human condition with love, understanding, and humor. Some of my favorite verses were the rhyming prose poems that unfolded like stories sharing the author’s childhood memories growing up in Ceylon. Another favorite was called Farewell to Colourful Friends, which had me howling with laughter. All women of a certain age will completely understand.

Many thanks to the author for gifting me a pre-release copy of this book. I enjoyed the poetry so much; I had to share my thoughts with everyone. 

Buy the book £3.50 : Amazon UK – And for $4.79 : Amazon US

Smorgasbord Poetry – Colleen Chesebro’s Tuesday Tanka Challenge – #Choka – Spices by Sally Cronin

This week for Colleen Chesebro’s Tuesday Tanka Challenge 233 it is poet’s choice. Something a little personal this week..a Choka…

Spices

Scents upon the air
and tastebuds are awoken
a recognition
of a long lost memory
the childish laughter
during play in the hot sun
spicy aromas
drifting out from the kitchen
promising curry for lunch.

©Sally Cronin 2021

There is still time to participate in this challenge:  Colleen Chesebro’s Tuesday Tanka Challenge 233

 

Thanks for dropping by and as always your comments are very welcome… thanks Sally.

 

Smorgasbord Poetry – Colleen Chesebro’s Weekly #Tanka #Poetry Challenge No 214 #ThemePrompt – Dreams by Sally Cronin

This week Colleen Chesebro’s #Tanka Tuesday Challenge 214 – #ThemePrompt is ‘Dreams’… I have written a stacked double etheree which I hope you will enjoy.

Dreams
at night,
serve to clean
and de-clutter
the mind of surplus
information and thoughts,
to sweep the neural pathways
and rejuvenate the brain cells,
leaving them eagerly awaiting
new data and emotions to process.
When
awake,
our daydreams
fill the cleared mind
with vibrant visions
and possibilities,
stretching into the future
and changing our lives forever,
creating a permanent record
unaffected by nightly spring cleaning

©Sally Cronin 2021

There is still time to participate in this week’s challenge: Colleen Chesebro’s #Tanka Tuesday Challenge 214 – #ThemePrompt

If you have time to browse my fiction, poetry and non-fiction books and reviews: Here

 

Thanks for dropping in and as always your feedback is very welcome…Sally.

Smorgasbord Poetry – Colleen Chesebro’s #Tanka Tuesday Challenge 212 – Butterfly Cinquain – Fate’s Voice by Sally Cronin

Delighted to participate again this week in Colleen Chesebro’s #Tanka Tuesday Challenge 212 – Synonyms Only –

The prompt words are Loose and Tight and I have selected Detached and Inflexible.

Here is my Butterfly Cinquain…

Fate’s Voice

Detached
the mind wanders
to explore the ‘what ifs’
of decisions made long ago
in life
designed to be inflexible
without the give and take
to allow fate
its voice.

©Sally Cronin 2021

I hope you have enjoyed my poem and if you would like to participate in this week’s challenge there is still time. Colleen Chesebro’s #Tanka Tuesday Challenge 212 – Synonyms Only

If you have time to browse my fiction, poetry and non-fiction books and reviews: Here

Smorgasbord Poetry – Colleen Chesebro’s #Tanka Tuesday Challenge 211 – Garland Cinquain – Birthdays by Sally Cronin

I have missed participating in this challenge and hope to be more active again this year… This week Colleen Chesebro offers us a choice.. Abhanga or Poet’s Choice

Since I have one coming up this month, I thought I would create a Garland Cinquain on the subject of Birthdays.

Garland Cinquain – Birthdays

Birthdays
a reminder
of the passing of years
celebrated with lit candles
and cake.

Wrinkles
are etched on skin
laughter lines they tell you
signs of character and a life
well lived

People
in the present
and in our memories
are thought of with love as this day
passes

How fast
they come around
the older that we get
a caution to make the most of
each day.

Tempting
as it might be
to disregard this date
it stands as a testament to
our lives

Birthdays
are etched on skin
and in our memories
a caution to make the most of
our lives.

© Sally Cronin 2021

 

I hope you have enjoyed my poem and if you would still like to participate this week Colleen Chesebro’s  Abhanga or Poet’s Choice

Smorgasbord Poetry – Colleen Chesebro’s #Tanka Tuesday #Poetry Challenge – #Shadorma – A Beacon by Sally Cronin

We have a lovely image this week, selected by Ritu Bhathal as the prompt for Colleen Chesebro Tanka Tuesday Poetry No 165 – Photoprompt

Shadorma – The Beacon

Each cold night
the light shines brightly,
a beacon
to the lost.
A promise of warm comfort
without harsh judgement.

©Sally Cronin 2020

If you would like to participate in this week’s challenge here is the link again: Colleen Chesebro Tanka Tuesday Poetry No 165 – Photoprompt

You can find recent reviews for my latest release and other books: Sally’s books and reviews 2019/2020

Amazon £3.50 :Amazon UK

Amazon US $4.53: Amazon US

Thanks for dropping by and your feedback is always very welcome.. thanks Sally.

Smorgasbord Blogger Daily – Friday 10th January 2020 – #BookRecommendations Aurora Jean Alexander, #Inspiration Charli Mills, #JapanesePoetry Colleen M. Chesebro

Welcome to some blogs I have enjoyed over the last couple of days that I think you might enjoy too. The first is from author Aurora Jean Alexander and she shares her top ten favourite books of all time.

Picture courtesy of unsplash.com

I once owned many, many books – shelves full of books. But lately, things have changed for me. I moved – and if I had taken everything with me, only my loads and loads of books would probably have filled an entire shipping container. I, therefore, decided on a handful of my favorites and I donated the rest of them. (that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re lost, after all, I have most of them electronically on my e-reader).

But a few books had to travel with me – books that are antiques – books that would have been lost if I hadn’t taken them… favorite books – MY favorite books, to be precise. Let me tell you what books I’m talking about – and why…

Head over find out the ten books that Aurora Jean considers her favourite including Shogun – James Clavell; Aurora Jean Alexander’s favourite 10 books of all time.

A.J. Alexander, Buy:  Amazon US – And : Amazon UK – Website: Aurora Jean Alexander

This week on the Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge by Charli Mills   the prompt was a husband carrying his wife… interesting…

Also Charli shares her studies and the basis of the thesis she has written… And you can also read the fascinating story of  almost 100 year old Sirkka Tuomi Holm who is blind in one eye and can hardly see out the other. Born five days before women had the right to vote in the US, her foreign-born Finnish parents raised her to fight for what is right. She stood on picket lines as a child with the working class, joined the Army as a WAC in WWII, and stood up as a hostile witness under the hysteria of McCarthyism. She writes a column in the Finnish American Reporter monthly and says history will always repeat itself. She should know. She’s lived through it. A veteran and a woman born before the Vote. Yet living, breathing, and showing how the past informs the present 

Head over and find out more about this week’s prompt but also read the wonderful story of this remarkable woman Sirkka…: Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge by Charli Mills January 9th.

A little about Charli Mills and find out more at Carrot Ranch

Good to meet you! I’m Charli Mills. From riding horses to writing stories, I’m a born buckaroo wrangling words. I once won a trophy for goat-tying and later, one for story-telling.

With over two decades in freelancing, publications, sales, marketing, editing and speaking, my writing is published in magazines, anthologies and online. I use my worldly experience to consult with organizations, schools, entrepreneurs, writers, and independent authors in the art and business of story-telling.

My byline has appeared in Montana Outdoors, Colours Literary Magazine, Edible Twin Cities and online at USA Today. I used to write wellness columns, and foodie features about turmeric and cheese-makers. I published over 200 print articles and managed the award-winning Living Naturally for 16 years.

For the final post today I have a short snippet from Colleen Chesebro that might help you out if you are unfamiliar with Japanese poetry forms… and today Colleen sheds the light on Haiku and Senryu…

#Haiku & #Senryu Poetry Forms

Now that I’ve got the 2019 Poet of the Week Compilation sorted, I wanted to talk more about writing and creating Haiku and Senryu in English with the traditional rules and what I call the “current” rules. Read my post here: 5/7/5 vs 3/5/3 & 2/3/2 Haiku & Senryu Styles for more information.

My challenge post for this week is Poet’s Choice, so this gives me an opportunity to go over the different forms.

HAIKU IN ENGLISH is written in these forms: Traditional form 5/7/5, Current 3/5/3, and Current 2/3/2 syllable structure. A Haiku is written about season changes, nature, and change in general.

I’ll write a Haiku in each form to illustrate. First 5/7/5 – traditional form:

Head over to read examples of the various forms of Haiku and Senryu styles and I can highly recommend the weekly challenge for flexing your syllabic muscles: Colleen Chesebro explains Haiku and Senryu Poetry forms

Colleen Chesebro, Buy: Amazon US –  And:  Amazon UK   –   Goodreads: Colleen at Goodreads –  Website: Colleen Chesebro

Thank you for dropping in today and I hope you will head over to read these posts in full.. thanks Sally.