This is the 1st week of the Heavy Snow (December 7 – 20) season for Colleen Chesebro’s #TankaTuesday challenge based on the 24 Japanese seasons.
I wrote a chōka and followed it (as is the custom) with a short poem called an envoy. I included a senryu, which is like a haiku but about human foibles, not nature. We are supposed to find all the kigo we can in the above painting, but I took it as a very loose guide.
anticipation
the sky more shaded, nuanced
a hawk soars above
what lies in store before end
of year and new times
preparing for Hanukkah
lighting the darkness
winter birds fly overhead
taking our troubles with them
*
Hanukkah candles
are lit in the darkest month
to lead a new path
I focused on Hanukkah because it starts tonight and lasts for eight days. The kigo words/phrases that I used are anticipation, hawk, preparing, Hanukkah, lighting the darkness, winter birds. The photo image I chose was something I see on my walk everyday, the mighty Arizona saguaro. I think they look similar to giant menorahs.
If you remember my bad knees poem from last month, I am excited to tell you that it was in the top ten read poems on One Art in November. Yay!!!! https://oneartpoetry.com/2023/12/01/one-arts-top-10-most-read-poets-of-november-2023/
I love your poem! Another triumph of formal poetry!! Congratulations on all the readers for your bad knees poem. I’d be one of the meek ones, too.
Thank you so much, Liz. It’s very intimidating to live in a community like that!
You’re welcome, Luanne. As a poet, you can hold your own with the best of ’em!
Aw, that’s so sweet!
‘Tis true!
Congratulations on the One Art inclusion, Luanne. Very nicely done.
Thank you, Anneli!
Well done, Luanne! I love the artwork, too.
Thank you, Amie. I love that painting, too!
Thank you!
Congratulations on the One Art notification
ah, thanks, Derrick!
I always feel that about the light of the Hanukkah candles in the darkest month. Happy Hanukkah.
And congratulations about your One Art poem. I remember that one!
Thank you, Merril! xo Happy Hanukkah!
You’re welcome, Luanne. Happy Hanukkah!
Back atcha!
Congratulations, Luanne! I love your poem and its focus on Hanukkah. xo
Thank you so much, Jill! xo
Ah, if only the winter birds and the Hanukkah candles could really take our troubles away… Great poems, Luanne! And happy Hanukkah!
Yeah, wouldn’t it be nice?! Thanks, Amy. Happy Hanukkah! We are celebrating tomorrow with the kids!
Enjoy!!
Luanne, poem is absolutely fabulous! Happy Hanukkah, my friend. May peace find it’s way to all of us. 💛
Thank you, Colleen, and ESPECIALLY to your peace wish!!!
Luanne, I loved this one. Our granddaughters attend a Jewish Day School here in Columbia, and they were taught to celebrate Hanukkah this week. Ella made a menorah – she was so thrilled to show it to us last night when we met them for dinner. It was really good for her little four year old self. I think you would have approved. I love that the candles can lead us out of the winter darkness. If only that could occur in this particularly tragic time. Blessings to you and your family during the holidays.
Oh, I LOVE this! What kind of menorah did Ella make? Was it wood? clay? My kids both made wooden ones, and I still have them. Thank you so much!!!
Hers was a wooden one with lots of razzle-dazzle colors for the pieces she glued to the board – and much of the razzle dazzle on her face! I found it interesting she chose pieces related to the ocean – but then again, at 4, perhaps the teacher had a hand in the choices!
How pretty!
I love the idea of birds flying overhead taking our troubles with them. Happy Hanukkah to you and your loved ones.
Congratulations! 🌵
Thank you, hah, love your emoji!
Thank you, Lisa! xo
You’re welcome 🙂
Congratulations on the Bad knees reads! I can picture the scene.
I like your saguaro menorah! Happy Hanukkah!
Thanks, Eilene! Lots of thanks!
Beautiful imagery, intertwined with hope. I love your poem, Luanne.
Gwen, thank you so much!
I enjoyed your poem, Luanne, especially the focus on dark and light, and the hope that Hanukah and the solstice bring. Lovely.
Diana, thank you so much! So glad you like it!
I love the sentiment about the candles lighting a new path. Made me think …
Thank you so much!!!
I love your poems and the idea of candles lighting our way out of darkness … and what a long way have we to go. Congratulations on your bad knees poem getting so many readers. I think your experience visiting your mom resonates with a lot of us 😉
Thank you so much, Marie. I miss taking workshops with you btw.
❤️❤️
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Beautiful writing, Luanne!
Thank you so much, Reena! 🙂
This is exactly correct, Luanne!
Do you light candles? 🙂
Much love,
David
Thank you, David! Oh, yes, I light candles!
HI Luanne, happy Hanukkah. Your poems are very touching.