Here’s Colleen Chesebro Tanka Tuesday Weekly Poetry Challenge. This week’s challenge is to write either a Haiku or Senryu. There is some great information if you click the link above.
I have two Senryu poems. The first one is 5/7/5 and the second one is 3/5/3.
I dedicate this to Sue Vincent.
Existence silent
When the soul is awakened
Energy released.
*****
Vast blue sky
Carries my spirit
To heaven.
I released my YA/middle grade “Dolphin’s Cave” at the end of 2020. I had a couple of blogs leading up to it and announced its release. Then, I got busy and didn’t do much after that.
So, I thought a blog would be in order to share what others are saying about this book.
Here are the last three reviews are taken directly from Amazon:
Thank you to all the reviewers who took the time to share their thoughts. You are much appreciated. xo
Here’s Suzanne Burke’s ‘Fiction in a Flash Challenge 2021’ Week #42.
I did another 99-word story for the picture below.
Photo by Marka Merka on Unsplash
WHEN THE CLOCK STOPPED
The delicate porcelain clock trimmed in gold had stopped running at exactly 4:08 a.m.—when I took my first breath.
“You were my miracle.” Mother would say, dusting the clock no one was allowed to touch.
Now it sits on my mantel. My grandson tried to fix it, but the motor, and the clock’s arms, wouldn’t budge.
Today I woke up feeling unwell. I picked up the phone to call my doctor when I heard a gentle ticking. The clock was running.
Then, everything disappeared into a golden glow, and I found myself gathered in my mother’s arms again.
Here is Colleen Chesebro’s Tanka Tuesday Weekly Poetry Challenge #218. This week the poem is based on an image, and it was my turn to choose it.
I decided on a Tanka 5/7/5/7/7. I found it harder to write with it being my own picture.
The story behind this photo is interesting. My youngest daughter, Danielle, decided to film a dance for a show on the Magical Trail. Of course, we followed along to watch, and I took many pictures. This is one of them.
My husband set up a fog machine, and my daughter’s friend filmed it. I can’t say I have ever seen anyone do a contemporary dance in the snow before. Her dance is about her struggle with anxiety and depression, which was always in the back of my mind writing this. Yet, in this picture, she reminded me of a fairy. Note: She found peace at the end of her piece, and I look forward to seeing it in its final glory 🙂
THE BLUE FAIRY
Sadness withered wings
The fairy clings to the stump
Her sweet song is masked
While winter feeds foggy grief
She dreams of spring’s gift—magic.
The SEAL’s Temptation
DEA Agent Maggie Holt knows about Hell…
USA Today bestselling author Jacquie Biggar loves to write Romantic Suspense novels brimming w/Attitude. 
To celebrate Spring’s arrival. Here’s a tanka poem.
SPRING’S ARRIVAL
A single snow patch
Clinging to the winter’s chill
Wildflowers emerge
As spring slowly awakens
Bringing life’s renewal.
Watch for a special guest post this week, along with the challenge posts!
Embrace your curious inner child by reading a book! D. L. Finn
Spring has arrived with the return of the birds and wildflowers pushing through the icy soil. It’s a time of change and rebirth as winter slowly fades away. This makes a perfect time to read. I’ve had a good start to reading this year—26 books and counting!
As you know, if I don’t like a book, I won’t read it. There have been a few books I tried to read more than once. I couldn’t get into the story and finally give up.
So, I enjoy all the books I make to the end, but some of them leave a lasting impression on me. They’ve held me captive from the opening paragraph, made me think, or opened my eyes to something new. These are the books that I highlight here in “Books That Changed Me,” and will continue using the author’s blurb over my review.
Here is my 2021 Spring list in no particular order:
I loved the entire Hode Hill Series, but this last one was my favorite. “Eventide” offered everything I appreciate in a story which includes a haunted house, graveyard, and mystery. But that wasn’t all! There were fantastic characters, intriguing relationships to root for all presented in a dual timeline.
by Mae Clair
BLURB:
The darkness is coming . . .
The old house near Hode’s Hill, Pennsylvania is a place for Madison Hewitt to start over—to put the trauma of her husband’s murder, and her subsequent breakdown, behind her. She isn’t bothered by a burial plot on the property, or the mysterious, sealed cistern in the basement. Not at first. Even the presence of cold spots and strange odors could be fabrications of her still troubled mind. But how to explain her slashed tires, or the ominous messages that grow ever more threatening?
Convinced the answer lies in the past, Madison delves into the history of the home’s original owners, only to discover the origin of a powerful evil. An entity that may be connected to a series of gruesome attacks that have left police baffled. No matter where she turns—past or present—terror lingers just a step away, spurred on by a twisted obsession that can only be satisfied through death…
*****
This YA story is set in the future where there is a very strong divide between the have and have nots. It wasn’t simply some people living better than others; they used the have nots body parts for their own improvement. It chills me to think that our society could become so self-centered and greedy that this would be possible.
by Teri Polen
BLURB:
If genetic engineering could guarantee you and your family perfect health and unparalleled beauty, would you pay top dollar for it? Would you kill for it?
Residents of the Colony would. And do.
Only the Insurgents can stop them.
Seventeen-year-old Asher Solomon is a premier operative with the Insurgents. He and his team have rescued countless hostages, saving them from painful deaths in Colony labs as desirable genetic traits are stripped from their bodies.
He’s also suffered more losses than anyone should have to.
Then Asher gets intel that might give his people the upper hand. The Colony is searching for Subject A36. If the Insurgents determine the subject’s identity first, they might be able to turn the tide of the war.
Asher and his team embark on their riskiest mission ever, and the stakes have never been higher. But even if he survives the physical dangers, the devastating secrets he uncovers might destroy him.
*****
The perfect blend of short stories, poems, and images made this a great read. But what drew me in further was I felt like I was reading about people I knew. There were heartbreaks and humor that carefully engaged my emotions. What I ended up with after reading this collection, there’s hope in everyday situations.
by Sally Cronin
BLURB:
Life is Like a Bowl of Cherries: Sometimes Bitter, Sometimes Sweet is a collection of short stories with scattered poetry, reflecting the complexities of life, love and loss.
The stories in the collection dip into the lives of men and women who are faced with an ‘event’ that is challenging and in some cases life changing.
Even something as straightforward as grocery shopping online can be frustrating, and a DNA test produces surprise results, the past reaches out to embrace the present, and a gardening assistant is an unlikely grief counsellor. Romance is not always for the faint-hearted and you are never too old for love. Random acts of kindness have far reaching consequences and some people discover they are on a lucky streak. There are those watching over us who wish us well, and those in our lives who wish us harm.
*****
A bonus short story with the theme to never to give up! Plus, it’s written from a horse’s point of view. How could I not like it?
by Jan Sikes
BLURB:
A wild black stallion has cautiously watched a beautiful white mare, from the safety of the forest for many years. He longs to be with her, and ventures close to the barn nightly to communicate with her. They share their deepest desires and secrets. Now it is winter, and the rest of the wild herd has moved on, but the stallion stays. He cannot stand the thought of being so far away from her. The scent of sweet alfalfa hay and the enticing lure of the white mare is too much for him. He must find a way to be with her. But will it be worth the risk? Satin and Cinders is a story of courage and determination.
*****
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Happy Spring 🙂 Embrace your inner child by reading a good book! D. L. Finn
Here’s Suzanne Burke’s ‘Fiction in a Flash Challenge 2021’ #41.
This week I decided to write a very short story where I used 99-words. No more, no less.
WAITING
I stood every night on the edge of the precipice. My tears had stopped flowing, but the valley hadn’t stopped burning. Everything I’d known was gone. Only my father heeded the signs and prepared our escape. Unfortunately, he could only take my baby brother and sisters. He sent mother and me to the mountain, promising to return. Mother never left the cave but kept our fire going. I caught fish and lugged our water from the icy stream. She insisted we were the only ones alive, but I believed. Tonight, my dreams were answered as my father’s balloon appeared.
Here’s Colleen Chesebro’s Tanka Tuesday Weekly Poetry Challenge #217.
This week’s theme is “Immortality.”
I immediately wrote several haikus/senryus when I sat and thought about his word. I put three together to explore what’s next, and added a picture I took recently.
My soul a tenant
An earthly body rental
Soon I’ll return home.
*
My body withers
As my memories flood me
Pure light welcomes.
*
I free my last breath
Leaving behind all I’ve known
Starting my journey.
Today I’m over on Story Empire talking about author quotes. There’s a fun quiz too. Stop by and say hello:)
Satin & Cinders