HAPPY POETRY MONTH!
This week’s poetry challenge at Tanka Tuesday is The Fool, as in the card in the tarot deck. I got an idea for my senryu from the card from The Wild Unknown which features a baby bird on a twig or branch. I found the image online, but couldn’t find one I felt I had permission to reprint here. I did a marathon this past weekend of taking care of my toddler grandson. My hip is completely shot and otherwise screwed up, and I’m getting a new one in a month and a half,* so this was pretty insane for me to do (The Fool?). The gardener helped though, and the babysitter came for three hours, too.
After viewing the tarot card I thought about how my grandson must feel when he makes some of his dangerous choices. Here’s my poem:
baby climbs on chair
he stands upright, rocks backwards
hope blossoms in him
Of course that’s not how Grandma views the situation, but I do think we’re pretty close so I have him a bit figured out. BTW, he does not speak or say names yet, but he called out to me again, “Grandma!” He’s done that a few times for at least four months. I’ve had witnesses every time, too, so I am NOT imagining it.
*Back to the hip. You might have good stories about how easy the surgery and recovery was for you or a friend, but don’t bother. I have some conditions that makes it scary, and so those stories won’t make me feel better but will probably irritate me. Just sayin. But thanks for the thought. Of course, prayers and vibes accepted and even desired!
In honor of National Poetry Month and the re-opening of Zingara Poetry Review, they are providing prompts each day this month–and then if you like you can submit them in hopes of getting them published. Here’s the link for the first prompt, which I kind of love: ZINGARA PROMPT ONE
Listen to this serendipity! I searched my The Wild Unknown archetype deck to see if it includes The Fool. It does not, but I found a business card for the editor of Zingara. I have no idea how long it’s been in there as I haven’t cracked that deck in awhile. Is that WILD?
Let’s get some poetry going this month! XO
I do wish you the best outcome on your hip!😊
Thanks, Eilene. Much appreciated! xo
Praying the hip replacement brings you relief, Luanne, and no complications.
Thanks so much, Joy! I really appreciate the prayers. xo
So fun! I love Poetry month. Maybe I will try one of those challenges.
Oh, I really hope so! I love challenges and prompts!
You certainly have my prayers
Thanks a bunch, John!
Just reading your senryu made me want to jump up and grab the wee lad before he fell over and hit his head! I hope the hip replacement surgery goes smoothly for you, Luanne.
As for poetry, I’m still riding the daily haiku train and breaking rules right and left.
Breaking rules haha. I get you! If I write a haiku and it breaks the rules I call it a senryu and figures that’s close! Thanks so much for your good wishes, Liz. Yes, I sure wanted to catch the wee lad many many times!!!
You’re welcome, Luanne! I’m going to pig-headed route, breaking the rules and insisting it’s still haiku. 😉
Haha, you break all the rules you want, Liz!
Then, I just received a rejection from a haiku publication, which included an article stating in no uncertain terms (many of them!) that using 5-7-5 is against the rules. Hoo boy . . .
Oh no! Why? I thought it was still ok to use the standard as long as we “know” we don’t have to do that. What new craziness is this?
Here ya go: https://www.nahaiwrimo.com/why-no-5-7-5 Since the “experts” can’t agree, I’m going to do what I damn well please with haiku.
So how is this a no to 5-7-5 if they say it’s not? Im so confused!
I think the lesson learned for me is not to submit haiku to lit mags that feature haiku!
Sad though
Yes, and a little silly.
My, my, you are a busy girl. I will start saying a Mi Sheberach for you on Shabbats.
Thank you so much! That is wonderful.
I’ve just learned the difference between senryu and haiku. Human foibles and nature. Like Liz, I felt like I wanted to reach up to save the kiddo from falling over backwards, so your senryu was effective. Best of luck with your hip op, Luanne.
Hah, I am glad the poem gave you both the feels! I only know the difference in the forms because of Colleen Chesebro at TankaTuesday
I’ve said a prayer and I will keep you in my thoughts. Sending good vibes as well…Grandma!!!! How wonderful he says it.
Polly, thank you so much for the prayer and good vibes! I love hearing him say it!!! It’s a hard word, too!
Wow, how serendipitous to find that card. I just reordered that style this week because I’m running low. It was neat to see it here in your photo! Wishing you the absolute best possible recovery for the hip surgery, and the tarot card poetry project, too.
So serendipitous! I was shocked. Thank you for the prompts and your good wishes. Can’t wait till the hip thing is all over!
Best wishes on your upcoming hip ordeal. I get it —getting older is hard to deal with. Thanks so much for sharing your senryu about your grandson. I think that’s a perfect example of the energy of the Fool card. We all have to learn by the seat of our pants.
I’m so glad you like the senryu because you’re the reason I know it’s not a haiku! Thanks for your best wishes, too. This old stuff is for the birds, as my mom would say.
Exactly! Take care and I’ll keep checking in on you. ❤️
Thanks, Colleen.
Good luck with your hip. Hugs.
Thank you, Kate! Much appreciated!
I love your senryu, especially since you captured his POV instead of yours, which I’m sure was vastly different. Lol! Sending healing energy your way for the hip replacement! May the surgery go smoothly and successfully!
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
Very different perspective haha!!! Thanks, Yvette, especially for the healing energy. Thank you SO much.
What an intimate perspective. I loved the whole post.
Violet, thank you so much. What a kind thing to say!
And so I will try not to irritate you with stories of good outcomes!
But I will tell you I wish you to have the best outcome EVER!!
It’s a must to have good hips when you’re chasing your grandson! Trust me – they get faster as they grow so if you have any hope of keeping up with him, be thankful for good body parts!!!
Love and hugs from South Carolina
I can’t wait to have good body parts. I sure hope it works! Thanks so much, Sheila!!! XO
Keep me posted!
I will.
I wish you the best with your hip replacement. Personally, I don’t think surgery is ever “easy.” I just hope it goes well for you, and I will most definitely be sending you love and hugs and prayers.
How wonderful that one of your grandson’s few words is Grandma! You two are truly bonded. Please let us know when your surgery is imminent so we don’t panic when you’re off your blog for goodness knows how long. ❤️❤️❤️
Thanks, Marie, I will try to remember to mention that we’re at that point! Down to 5 1/2 weeks away now, but who is counting. I appreciate the love and hugs and prayers SOOO very much. XO
Oh, so around mid-May? I’ll keep that in mind. XO
May 15
Serendipity indeed.
Children make the best fools…adults usually try too hard. (K)
Kerfe, hah, so right! Adults prefer not to look like fools, I guess!!!!
My local library has set up a small box of slips of paper with poems printed on them (I’ve chosen three already!) to celebrate poetry month! I love your poem, it makes me smile and my heart leap all at once! I hope your hip discomfort eases and your surgery goes well…
What a cool idea for poetry month! Thank you so much about poem and hip and all. Kind of scary time for me . . . .
I hope you will feel the same hope you imagine your grandson feels when he tries to stand up after your operation! Best of luck.
Hahaha, Andrea, so funny. I will keep that thought in mind. I will be brave and fearless haha.
Ah, baby boys, completely fearless. I remember. All the best with your operation.
Thank you, Robbie! Yes, fearless!!!!
Good luck with the hip op and the grandson. I love your poem 💜💜
Thank you so much! Gonna have the baby here again, but this time with the babysitter at the same time. That way I can be with him, but don’t have to do any lifting or carrying!
My very best wishes for successful surgery and a good recovery.
Thank you, Gwen! Much appreciated.
kind! 36A Senryu for National Poetry Month
Sending thoughts and prayers your way, Luanne. The cats are sending you Power of the Paw. Much love from all of us here!
Thank you and the kitties SO MUCH! xo