Tag: #AmWriting

TankaTuesday#4

Hello! It is time for Colleen’s #TankaTuesday challenge where the rules are to to write in any of the 24 syllabic forms of Japanese poetry using a kigo or season word as an inspiration. While there are 24 seasons in Japan, we are allowed to use season words as per our region.

But before I begin, I am very chuffed that Colleen was kind enough to choose my previous entry as the poem of the week and couldnt resist sharing. Yayy and thank you again Colleen 🙂

Now off to the tanka of this week. First the tanka and then the explanatory note. Perhaps, some of you may not need the note 🙂

Navratri

going to office on

an empty stomach

they join the

bhandara queue

I have used Navratri (literally nine-nights) as the ‘kigo’ word for this tanka. In India, we are currently celebrating Navratri and today is day 3 of the festival. Navaratri is a bi-annual Hindu festival observed in honour of the Mother Goddess Durga and many devotees keep a fast during this period. A bhandara is a mass feast given to the needy by the Hindus, particularly in North India on auspicious occasions such as the Navratri.

Here’s wishing you all a very auspicious and happy Navratras to you and yours. 🙏

FF: Over in a Flash

Here’s my entry to this week’s Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle, a story in 100 words based on the photo prompt. Click here to read other stories for this challenge and add your own story.

PHOTO PROMPT © Rowena Curtin

FF: Over in a Flash

Words 100

“Granny please tell me that story again.”

“That day,” Granny began, “we were all so excited to be meeting up at our beach house. It was a clear day, blue skies with wispy clouds, an inky blue…”

“Who all were coming?”

“Everyone! Your Aunt from India, Uncle from Canada, their children…”

“Why were they coming?”

“There were several reasons. It was my 75th and your 10th birthday, your parents anniversary. Your Uncle’s promotion, your Aunt wanted to introduce her fiancé. Oh, that was such a joyous time with so many things to celebrate!”

“Why did they drop those bombs Granny?”

***

Thanks for visiting. Have a good day.

TankaTuesday #3

Hello! Here’s another tanka for Colleen’s #TankaTuesday challenge where the rules are to to write in any of the 24 syllabic forms of Japanese poetry using a kigo or season word as an inspiration. While there are 24 seasons in Japan, we are allowed to use season words as per our region.

First the tanka and then the explanatory note. Perhaps, some of you may not need the note 🙂

freshly showered

leaves wave to the blue skies

-Durga Puja celebrations

jeans don’t button up

even upon lying down

I have used Durga Puja as the kigo word. Like I mentioned in my earlier post, Navratri (or nine nights) festival in honor of Goddess Durga is being celebrated this year from 15th to 24 October. During this period, Hindu devotees worship Goddess Durga but the manner of celebration is diverse and unique in different parts of the country. This includes, but is not restricted, to dandiya, kanyapujan (little girls are worshipped as the Goddess) and Durga Puja. Durga Puja is a socio-religious celebrations that is mostly undertaken as a community but may also be done individually. It is associated with not only religious activities but also a platform for showcasing art, culture, and new clothes, cars, TVs and what have you while gorging on a variety of mouth-watering delicacies, including those served free. You may read more about Durga Puja here.

Perhaps, even ‘freshly showered’ could be considered the kigo word. Unlike the West, here in India, this is not the fall season. In fact, this is a time that is right after the monsoons which is a boon to the trees wilting in the scorching summer heat. They are now at their cleanest, greenest and happiest. With the monsoons withdrawing, the skies are blue (for once – Touch wood!!!) the breeze cool, and a palpable sense of excitement in the air. Even Mother Nature is celebrating the imminent arrival of the Mother Goddess (Durga Puja) in her inimitable way.

Did this work? Did you need the explanatory note? Looking forward to reading your reactions. Have a super day.

MWWP: The Magical Village

Hello and good day to you. Today I am participating in Eugi’s Moonwashed Weekly Prompt. The prompt is Magical Village. It can be any variation of the prompt or the image (below).

The photo is rather magical and made me throw caution to the wind and attempt a free verse. Actually, I am not even sure, if that’s what it is – anyway, here goes.

The World of Trees

Fireflies line the path

Magical village

Hiding in plain sight

A lush rustling village

No wants and little needs

Strife there was none.



Oblivious of taunts, curses

and betrayals

Partners for life with

ample space for young’uns

Once they grew roots

they too stayed put.



Some were short, some tall

some colorful, some shy

The naked and the  bedecked

together, no bite in their bark

Phoenix rising from the ashes,

They were that magical.



Passing travellers stop by

Catch a break, 

have a stretch, grab a bite,

Scratch an itch or build a home

They leave without even

A hug, a pat or a backward glance



Once in a while

When the weather is fine,

a light wind blowing

they nod and

wave to each other

going about their daily chores



Day in and day out, these

voiceless master chefs concoct

magic out of thin air

Some make tea, some coffee

Offering children of their heart

an arm, a leg, their whole being


With no expectations

the tireless village plods on

in pursuit of its

Endless thankless task

-- Feed and sustain

20 quintillion lives and counting

***

Thanks for visiting and your kind comments and suggestions. Have a super weekend.

Note (8/10/23): I changed the title of the poem as I felt that otherwise the poem was very obscure for most readers. Do let me know your thoughts. Thanks

FF: Spinning a Yarn

Hello! Hope you are having a super day. Here’s my attempt to participate in the weekly flash fiction party hosted by Rochelle where everyone is welcome to join. Click here to read the other stories inspired by the photo prompt below.

PHOTO PROMPT © Ted Strutz

Spinning a Yarn

Words 100

“I want my order on the 15th,” the customer said.

“But Madam,” Rekha pleaded, “30th was the agreed date. Chikankari* is handmade, it’s time-consuming and back-breaking ….”

“I can pay extra.”

“They’re award winning artisans, one can’t just order…”

“How about 30% extra?”

“I‘ll request them.”

 “So darn hot!” Rekha moaned at her artisan’s makeshift shop, a mat, under the banyan tree.

The wizened woman looked up from her embroidery.

“When will my order be ready?”

“Another 10 days.”

“5 days.”

“Sorry Madamji. My son isn’t well and my…”

“Not my business. For each day’s delay, I will deduct 10%.

***

A/N * Chikankari is the technique of creation of a chikan work, which is a delicate hand embroidery on a variety of textile fabrics. Traditional chikankari is white floral embroidery on soft pastel shades of light muslin and cotton. You may visit this link for more information

Thanks for visiting. Would love to know your thoughts. Have a great day 🙂

MWWP: Haiku#1

Hello and a very good day to you. I am attempting to participate in Eugi’s Moonwashed Musings Weekly Prompt – Velvety. It can be any variation of the prompt or the image (below).

Today I am attempting a haiku inspired by this image.

About haiku

Haiku, a Japanese form of poetry, in English, is of three lines with a total of 17 syllables (preferably less). Composed of a phrase and a fragment, it captures one or two moments  by using clear and vivid images. A haiku is an unfinished poem – the readers interpret what it means by putting the images together.

A reader should be able to read the haiku and “see” the images from the words. Haiku usually have an “Aha” moment, which portray a spontaneous moment through the juxtaposition of two sharp images, with a reveal or insight or contrast or leap or pun.

Here’s my attempt:

yellow moon

knocks on the balcony window

I bring in the laundry

Well, did it work? Did it create images and a sudden switch? Comments and suggestions welcome.

Thanks for visiting. Have a super weekend.

FF: Off His Chest

Hello everyone! It’s Friday Fictioneer’s time and we have yet another party which you are welcome to join. Thank you Rochelle for hosting it and Jennifer Pendergast for the photo prompt. Click here to join and the Rules are here.

PHOTO PROMPT © Jennifer Pendergast
FF: Off His Chest

Words 100

 “Hello David.”

“Mary? How…When…”

“Why so startled? My first time coming home after my wedding, I had to meet you. Aren’t you going to ask me in?”

“Er….”

“Everything’s the same. That pen stand’s the one I gifted you? Aww, David. Still pining for me? Sorry, darling but it’s time you moved on.”

“Um…”

“I love this quaint chest. Remember how I used to hide here whenever the doorbell rang? Ha. Ha!” She opened the chest. “Eeeks!”

“Hi Mary.” Raina popped out.

“Why’re you hiding here?”

“I thought it was his mom. How’s Shailesh?”

“You know my husband?”

“Sort of. My ex-boyfriend.”

***

I tried my personal favorite format – only dialogue. Wondering if it worked or was confusing – do let me know. Thanks for reading. Have a super day 🙂

PS: In view of the confusion, I edited it. Hope it reads better now. Thanks for your support.

TankaTuesday #1

Good day to everyone. Another attempt to write tanka while participating in Colleen’s #TankaTuesday challenge where the rules are to to write in any of the 24 syllabic forms of Japanese poetry using a kigo or season word as an inspiration. While there are 24 seasons in Japan, we are allowed to use season words as per our region.

I hope I have understood the rules 🙂

I belong to India and the monsoon season is still lingering around, although I believe it has begun its, albeit belated, withdrawal.

a monsoon shower –

hanging on the long clothesline

sparkling diamonds

thieves break-in to find my cache

of dripping garments

So monsoon is my kigo. While the tanka is not exactly 5/7/5/7/7 syllables, I believe a total of 31 syllables or less is also acceptable. Am I right? Did this work? I also wasnt sure if I was supposed to include the image. Would love to know your thoughts, comments and suggestions.

Thanks for visiting and reading. Have a super day.

MWWP: Tanka #1

Hello and a very good day to you. I am attempting to participate in Eugi’s Moonwashed Musings Weekly Prompt – Gingered Sky. It can be any variation of the prompt or the image (below). Click here to read the other entries on the prompt.

I am attempting to present a Tanka inspired by the image. For the uninitiated (and also for myself as I struggle to grasp the finer nuances) Tanka is a popular Japanese form of poetry that is a total of 31 syllables or less separated into 5 lines. Tanka are not (necessarily rhyming) poems about seasons, nature, desires, mood or emotions, using literary devices, such as personification, metaphors etc. Tanka is characterized by a turn, known as the pivot (third line), which marks a sudden shift from one image to that of another such as a personal reference.

The haiku on the other hand is a Japanese poem with three lines of not more than 17 syllables usually referencing a season with a twist or an ‘aha’ moment in the final like.

It also may be noted that the Japanese form of poetry avoids the use of titles and capitalization of any word. If I may add, that since this is a very short poem, each word is important and may hold different connotations and perhaps best read slowly, absorbing while picturizing what each word is trying to paint/convey. Otherwise, one tends to miss the ‘aha’ moment. At least, that has been my learning.

More than a decade ago, when I first developed an interest in writing, I had dabbled in haiku and tanka forms before switching to fiction writing. Once again, I am going where the muse leads me. Thank you for your company on this journey.

twilight –

the sun sets on another day

reflections

of all that which could

have been

***

I struggled with these five lines for over five hours. Seriously. I gave up and posted this. What do you think? Does it work as a tanka? Any suggestions? I am open to constructive criticism. Do let me know. Thanks. Have a great day 🙂

FF: Of Choices

Written for the Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle – a story in 100 words or less. Click here to play or read other stories on this prompt.

PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot

FF: Of Choices

Words 100

“Stay here for a bit.” She instructed and vanished.

Devika didn’t even notice that she was alone.

Red!

Blue!

Green!

The rectangular ones?

But the square yellow ones were the most sought after.

What about those on the topmost shelf?

Dare she climb that high?

What if she fell off and hurt herself?

Perhaps the nearest ones would be safest.

Yet, the pink ones tugged at her heart.

She looked around wishing, wanting, dithering until she was dizzy.

“Dear Mother,” she folded her hands, “give me what You think is best for me and let me be content in that.”

***

Thanks for dropping by. Have a super day 🙂