This is Part I of 2, Winter Solstice (December 21 – January 4) Touji season for Colleen Chesebro’s #TankaTuesday challenge based on the 24 Japanese seasons.
I decided to try an abhanga, which is an Indian form of 6-6-6-4 syllables with lines 2 and 3 rhyming. Generally, this form is–I believe–a religious poem form. I have bolded the kigo words.
This first poem is about Louisa May Alcott’s novel Little Women. In the book, Mrs. March shows the girls how to begin their Christmas by delivering food and care to a starving, freezing German immigrant family. In the mid-nineteenth century, Germans were one of the main groups immigrating to the United States. But the March family was living without the father for the time-being, and they were quite poor themselves. The girls ate bread and milk for Christmas breakfast because that was all that was left after feeding the strangers.
DELIVERING THE FAMILY’S BREAKFAST TO THE POOR IMMIGRANTS
Alcott’s Little Women
models Christmasy love
gifting others above
that of one’s self
***
Here’s another poem that uses kigos that fit with my daily life.
THE SEASON OF DAILY WALKS
on my pink sunrise walks
the wren and the robin
sing sweet carols, all in
for the season
***
I submitted the second section of my unpublished memoir to the Tucson Festival of Books contest. I received notice that it is a finalist for the contest. Last year the first section was a finalist in the same contest. I have been joking that I’m “always a bridesmaid,” although I am grateful that it is a finalist
Here’s a fun 101-word story published by the journal 101 Words. Hope you find it humorous!
https://101words.org/small-battles/
I’ve been working on the 5 minute challenge hosted by The Ugly Art Club. These are the first three spreads I completed. The prompts, in order, are CYCLE, LUNAR, and SLOTS.
May your holidays be healthy and happy. XO
Happy Holidays, Luanne.
Thanks, John! You too!
😊
Have a wonderful Christmas time, Luanne.
You too, Anneli.
TY.
Happy Holidays to you and those who mean the most to you!
Thank you, Annette!!! Same back atcha! xo
You’re the maid of honor, Luanne! My daughter and her best friend were maid of honor to each other. They said it’s my honor to be your maid of honor. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Maid of honor haha, I love it! Merry CHristmas, Miriam! Enjoy your family!
Thank you, Luanne!
You are welcome!
May you be the bride this time
Hah, thanks, Derrick! Merry Christmas!
You, too, Luanne
I love Little Women, nice poem. Happy Holidays
Happy holidays to you and yours! Thank you!
Happy Holidays to you and yours, Luanne!
Little Women was our family Christmas movie for a while.
Happy holidays, Merril! Which movie? The one I put the pic up? I love that one because Gabriel Byrne is in it ;)!
Yes, that one. 😊
I used to think he was such a cutie pie.
Loved the Little Women abhanga (thanks for the ongoing education) – was just thinking of that story earlier this week.
Your “remote” piece was hilarious – spot on at our house where Pretty invariably wants a rare moment of control just as I get to a part in Heartland that is a cliffhanger. It’s not easy sharing.
To good health and happiness in 2024 for you and your family, too!! Exciting days ahead!!
Sheila, hehe, glad you appreciated the remote humor! Thank you so much for 2024 wishes. I wish the same for your family!!!!
Happy holidays to your house! Love the poems. So simple yet poignant.
Aw, thank you, Kate! Happy holidays to you and yours as well! xo
You are endlessly learning and creative! Beautiful poetry, prose, and artwork.
Aw, thank you so much! Hope you are having a wonderful time with Dr. J!
Happy Holidays, Luanne. I loved the “remote” story and your abhanga poems. It’s a fabulous form. Sending peace and hugs. 🕊️
Thank you, Colleen!!! Peace and hugs and happiness to you and yours, as well! xo
Congratulations on your latest publication, Luanne! Happy holidays to you and your family.
Liz, thank you! Happy holidays to you and yours. I hope you have a miraculous 2024!
You’re welcome, Luanne!
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Luanne, your poems are a delightful exploration of the Winter Solstice season. The first one beautifully captures the essence of Christmasy love and the selflessness portrayed in the book. The second poem paints a serene picture of the season in your daily life. Well done!
~David
Being an almost life-long fan of Little Women, I loved the first poem. Jo was my role model growing up, and I always hated that the sister named Amy had to be the vain and selfish one!
Hope all is well. Wishing you and yours a good 2024!
Ah, yes, Amy. But. Amy grows up to a mature loving woman and an artist. She’s an interesting character because she was so superficial as a child, but maybe it’s because aesthetics appealed to her and she didn’t get enough of those in a deeper form until she spent time with Aunt whatshername. I think I wrote about this on my genealogy blog, but my grandmother (the one I wrote about all her siblings) really connected with the book and with Jo and thought it was like her family. Her sister Dorothy was like Meg. Vena was just like Amy. Both kind of amazingly so. Happy New Year, Amy xo!
Just seeing this now. But Amy stole Laurie from Jo—that was unforgiveable, even if they were supposedly better matched (which I never saw at all—I think Alcott didn’t make that believable).
Haha you are biased. Professor Bhaer was perfect for Jo! Have you read Little Men and Jo’s Boys?
Of course!! I couldn’t get enough of the whole family especially Jo. It’s been probably 60 years or more since I did. Maybe it’s time for a re-read…?
If you reread it you might be slightly disillusioned at times because we are so much more sensitive to issues today. I think that they were a bit elitist even if they had no money.
Yes, I think so also. They helped the poor, but didn’t see themselves as like them.
That remote story is so, so familiar. And the two poems, especially Little Women were right on point. Loved them.
Luanne, this post is packed full of great stuff: poems and collages. I am wowed by your creativity. I hope you and yours had a nice Christmas. I love Small Battles. In fact, I thought of it last night when I turned the remote over to my husband because I (apparently) wasn’t using it correctly 😉
OMGosh, I laughed SO hard at that last!!!! hahahaha. Hope your Christmas was good! Thank you so much for your nice words, too :).
I thought you would enjoy that 😉
You were right!