Here is Colleen Chesebro’s #TankaTuesday Weekly Poetry Challenge No. 255: #Tastetherainbow. We pick the color to use and poetry form.
I went with a poem I wrote during our six-day power and phone outage. I was surrounded by four feet of snow, so white is the color of my poem, even though I don’t directly mention the color. Tanka 5/7/5/7/7 is the format.
NOTE: We are lucky to have gotten our phones, internet, and power back so quickly. There are still many who are heading into day nine without— and some without access to heat. There was a lot of damage below us and we are praying things get back to normal soon for them. Like our firefighters, those who go out in these icy conditions to restore our power and communications are our heroes too!
These are the moments when the magical goodness in humanity steps up to help fellow neighbors.
snow fairies rejoice
when mother nature provides
winter wonderland
they can fly amongst the flakes
capturing special magic
Love the magic of this poem, considering where you were and in under what conditions when you wrote it! I love your positive outlook, Denise!
Thank you, Patty. I had to write many other poems before this to get to the magic of the situation. ooxx
Terrific, Denise. The Fairies have fun but the people not so much.
They do get to have all the fun dancing in the snow. Some did struggledthrough it but there are moments we get that only being snowed in gives us.
True. Those moments are precious.
I love the idea of ‘special magic’.
It’s offered in those moments if we slow down and see them.
There is something magical about snow. Lovely poem, Denise.
There is, Joan and it reminds us of what is important 🙂 Thank you!
The magic of snow fairies can be seen and felt through your words Denise. Beautiful!
Thank you, Balroop. There is definitely something magical about the snow in the woods
Denise,
I think you like snow, and your poem reflects it. 😀
I do love it, Eden. We don’t have it all season so it doesn’t get to be too much…most of the time 😉
Four feet of snow is a lot, Denise! How did you keep warm during the six days of power outage? I’m glad the power is back now and you’re okay. I love the positive image your poem portraits that the snow fairies captured the special magic.
It is a lot at once, Miriam for sure. Over a week at Easter Break years ago we built up six feet, but no power loss and the kids built a snow fort. We have a wood stove which kept us warm and we cooked on it. Thank you we are doing good here and felt spoiled having a generator through it. Those snow fairies do capture the possibilities in any situation!
Wood stove and generator are wonderful situations like several feet of snow, Denise. You’re safe and warm and able to cook on the stove. That’s great!!!
I’m glad you have a wood stove, Denise–I know ours has been a lifesaver in power outages. We have lots of solar lights, candles, and oil lamps, too.
I love the idea of snow fairies, but I’m having trouble picturing them. Would they wear furry capes? Weave scarves from spider silk and thistledown? Their boots would need to be lightweight but waterproof so they could dance on top of the snow. : )
Woodstoves are a must in the foothills! I don’t have solar lights inside but plenty of candle and lamps too.
I think you just offered a glimpse into their wardrobe, Cathleen. I can see those furry capes over the spider silk gowns. Their boots would have to be sparkly but with some good tread for all that dancing 🙂
Special magic in this poem, Denise. I can see the sparkles as the fairies dance in the snow 💕🙂
Thank you, Harmony. They are amongst the sparkles and in those quiet moments they come out.
Pure magic, Denise. I love it. I could feel the chill and experience the fairies dancing. Beautiful! 💗✨💗
Thank you, Gwen 🙂 whrn the moonlight hits the snow just right I can almost see them.
I’m so glad you and your family are safe and all your modern conveniences have been restored. Prayers for those still dealing with the storm and those who work to assist them.
Loved your poem, Denise. I almost never think of snow fairies. Usually just spring/summer fairies, dwellers among foliage. This provided a beautiful image to me. Thank you.
Thank you, Staci. Hopefully the power will be restored to everyone, including eldest grandkids, very soon. A lot of damage with trees on power lines everywhere below us. It’s been crazy but part of mountain life too.
I know that fairies and flowers seem to be the most common image but in the snow around the unique flakes, is an idea that might stick around 🙂
I love the thought of winter fairies, Denise. What an magical poem!
I’m so glad you had power and internet restored. It’s scary to think there are still those without!
I know the idea of sparkly winter fairies has me thinking 🙂
We are so happy to be back. Our oldest grandkids and Dad are still without but have a generator and woodheat. Everyone else in family has it back. Thanks, Mae.
4 feet! I’ll stop whining about our 4 inches now, lol. I’m glad you got your power and cell coverage back quickly- not a good time to be without emergency services.
If you aren’t used to it four inches is a lot to nagivate. It is not a good time to be without, but we’ve had years to figure out how to deal with. Which reminds me our bathtube is still full, in case we needed it….lol. At least this last storm didn’t hit us hard so I’m gratueful for that. I do still love to watch it snow though, something magical about it. Stay safe and keep warm. xo
Smart idea, filling the bathtub. 🙂
We were lucky too… We were able to get home. Our flight landed but just miles away there was congestion and road blockaged Jan 2nd. We are due for some ‘flakage’ tomorrow. But the mountains to the northwest protect us somewhat so we may not get the full six inches predicted for tomorrow.
Hope you can enjoy the magic and thanks for the nod to the firefighters (I’ve got a whole bunch of family members in that field). Stay safe and Happy New Year! ~Jules
Glad you made it home safely. That roadbockage was scary, glad you avoided that too. I hope you get to enjoy a little flakage! Yes, I always try to enjoy the magic where I find it. Firefighters are rockstars in our area 🙂 You stay safe too and Happy New Year!
At one point only big city firefighters got paid.
Almost 70% were volunteers. That might closer to half and half now.
🥂🍾
I know we pay an extra tax here to keep our firestations open full time. It’s one tax I gladly pay!
Our stations non-city stations used to have to have fundraisers for everything. Then we got a fire tax (though we really didn’t get all the funds) – then we paid for part-time fill ins… which became full time paid folks.
Evolution to the population growth.
What a cold month to have a power outtage, brrr! But I’m sure the snow fairies had fun.:-)
It was a bit cold out for sure. Yes, those fairies were enjoying themselves!
I love this, my friend. I can see those glistening wings fluttering.
I’m glad things are slowly getting back to normal weather-wise on your end. Whatever normal may be these days:)
scoxoxoxo
Thank you, Sandra 🙂 Those wing really glisten under the moonbeams. Things are back to normalish, but I agree about normal. Not sure what it is right now. Hugs xoxo
A wonderful poem, Denise. Snow, fairies, and magic. Lovely.
Thank you, Karen 🙂 I believe they are out there enjoying themselves.
The postcard view is magical, and so is living it. But sometimes, manytimes, things aren’t as magical as we hope. Sorry to hear about the setbacks and hardships, but glad things are better now.
Here in Japan, my area experienced our first snowfall of the season (four year without snow) and so we found everything picturesque. Maybe tomorrow it will all be gone, as if nothing, but today we reveled in the whiteness of our area.
Thanks for sharing. Be well. Blessings galore to you.
Thank you, Selma! Even in the hardships there is always a but of magic to be found. How wonderful to have snow after four years. It does make everything fresh and pretty. Enjoy it, and blessings right back to you 🙂
Magic is definitely the right word, D. L.! Beautiful 😀
<3
David
Thank you, Ben 🙂 I find it’s always there somewhere.
Sorry…David!
<3 no sweat – I know my pen name is confusing – I should be the one apologizing!
I have the same issues 🙂
That’s a lot of days to go without power or phone. Thank goodness you had heat. I love the poem. It describes it perfectly with a dose of magic thrown in!
We didn’t break our record of seven day, but at least we had water and yes, heat! So, it wasn’t too bad. Thank you, the magic is always there if we look for it.
Your fairies always find a way to celebrate. 😉 I love the poem, and I’m happy you are finally with power. I hope those around you get theirs restored soon. 🙂
They certainly do, Yvette! Thank you, happy to have it back. They are getting there with the power.
Isn’t it about time for you to write another book of verse? Hint. Hint. Wink. Wink.
scoxoxo
I have the poems, just deciding how to put them together this time. Xo
Yay!
scoxoxox
Denise, I’m just happy that you are safe. Your photo is excellent. The snow on the branches looks like angel or fairy dresses! This is a lovely tanka. You made me smile. <3
Thank you, Colleen 🙂 We were very safe and had all the things in place we needed so we were lucky. That snow caught my attention…had that magical feel to it. I could be angel or fairy dresses! xo
You know what to look for, Denise. Magic is all around us. ❤️
Though this winter has recently been rather harsh, you’ve still noticed all the beauty and magic, Denise. Lovely poem. May the snow fairies be kind to you this winter, from this day forward. <3
Thank you, the snow fairies always seem to be kind to us. It’s been an all of nothing kind of winter and when it’s an all…look out. I hope the snow fairies keep an eye on you too, Diana up your way xo
We are completely melted now, Denise. And the sun’s out. 🙂
Sunny here too but half foot of snow left.
Spring is on its way. 🙂
This poem is exquisite, Denise. It reminds me of the descriptions of snow in Anne of Green Gables
Thank you, Robbie 🙂 I like that comparison!
Magical poem. 💜
Thank you, Jude!
How’s your winter wonderland today?
Stay healthy…..
scoxoxo
Its still there but warming up and going dry. Always an extreme…lol. I’m trying…you too!
So true about the extremes. As long as you aren’t dealing with fires though, I’m happy:)
Stay safe.
scoxoxoxo
I second that, anything but fires! Sending hugs xo
A wonderful poem, Denise. It truly is magical when you see people band together for the greater good. 🙂
Thank you, Mark 🙂 Yes if people can work together in good that is magical.