It’s been a strange sixteen months for me on many levels. There were several deaths of pets, friends, and family, plus a period of things breaking. Then came 2020 with high expectations. Halfway through this year, I find myself wishing for someone to shut down the rest of the year. This is the point where my emotions caught up to me, following several weeks of being sick. It was bronchitis/sinus infection that was heading into pneumonia because I waited too long to see my doctor. After a surreal doctor’s visit and, yes, a painful COVID test, I found out twelve days later it was thankfully negative. Finally, I started feeling better, so I got out to trim some hedges, which flared up my shoulder and lower back.
So besides some editing, I found myself unable to focus on current stories. It was time to take care of myself. I got back into my exercise routine and then wanted to try something new. I have always had a love of poetry. When I write it, I’m visiting my soul, where I can reflect on my emotions and life. The free verse will always be my go-to, but I decided it was finally time to explore some different types of poetry that I have been enjoying lately. I tried Haiku a couple of years ago, and that stuck with me and a part of my normal poetry writing.
Last week, I took some notes on some poetry I’ve wanted to learn and headed outside to write, hoping for the best. Right away, I found I loved Haibuns, mixing prose poetry and Haikus. Then I tried Tanka that was like a longer Haiku which I enjoyed. The most challenging type for me was the Cinquains. I have a lot to learn, but here’s another way to express my deep feelings and explore my enjoyment of patterns while I heal in nature.
Some of my first attempts:
TANKA
THE WORDS
Hearing heavy words
Sends chills through the listeners
A surreal moment
Where hate and fear are enshrined
Love lingers just out of reach.
HAIBUN
A SUMMER DAY
The flowing water soothes shattered nerves. The tall pines sway seductively in the wind’s gentle caress. The roses burst forth in their scented glory while rewarding the humming toil of the bees their ultimate gift.
Peaceful moment
Provided by a summer day
Soak in its splendor.
CINQUAIN (I admit this one makes me giggle…)
Raven
With black feathers
Perches on a branch cawing
Its mate answers in the same shrill
Bird love.
BUTTERFLY CINQUAIN
The bear
With a black coat
Lumbers through the forest
Scrounging for its next tasty meal
Alert
It never misses the garbage can
Noise sends it up a tree
Where it’s safe
Watching.
A special thanks and hugs to Colleen Chesbro and her wonderful blog for inspiring me to branch out and try something new! As time and creativity permits, I’ll be participating in her challenges soon and post them here:)
You won’t want to miss this week’s special edition blog.
Embrace your inner child by taking good care of you, D. L. Finn
