Here is Colleen Chesebro’s Tanka Tuesday Poetry Challenge #270. This week’s theme is a photo prompt which is an ekphrastic poem.
You may have guessed I picked the picture this week 🙂 I decided on haibun which is a connected combination of a prose paragraph and a haiku.
A NEW BEGINNING
The pod took their final dive off the coast of Kauai, as the place of their birth was leveled. No land location survived the barrage of bombs, but sections of the ocean were untouched. Their pod was alive and unharmed, but they heard many dolphin families silenced along with all the humans. Right after the final explosion, a beautiful perfect-pitched dolphin song began. Directions were weaved into this beacon of hope, guiding them to where dolphins could start over. A paradise where fish are plentiful, and nothing would hurt them. They swam over the wrecked ships and under the floating tombs that used to net their kind. It was their time now when the gentle creatures of the ocean rule the earth’s new world.
under the surface
kelp becomes the new forest
life begins again.
Wow! You honored the photo not only by choosing it for us to use, but with the words that brought us right into their world. <3
Thank you, Annette 🙂 I couldn’t pass this image up.
Kelp does look like an underwater forest! Who knows, the Earth may belong to the dolphins one day.
It really does, Priscilla 🙂 I enjoy seeing it at the aquarium. You never know, it may be the dolphins running everything.
I love this, Denise! Wonderful imagery 💕🙂
Thank you, Harmony. It’s hard not to be expressive when it comes to the dolphins.
Ooh, I love this, Denise! Apocalyptical turned peaceful. Beautifully done! 🙂
Thanks, Yvette 🙂 It would be peaceful if the dolphins were the dominate species, I think.
Poignant and bittersweet. I really love the combination of prose and Haiku when you use it, Denise. That photo is stunning, and your offering is serene, sad, and hopeful all rolled into one. Well done!
Thank you, Mae 🙂 This is one of my favorite formats to work with so I can explore a bit more. I couldn’t pass up this photo. And I like to think no matter how it all turns out, something good will come from it.
Well done, Denise.
Thanks, John 🙂
Beautiful, as always, Denise. I love the photo and your haiku. 🤗
Thank you, Gwen 🙂 Dolphins always inspire me.
Beautifully written with a message that I hope the world doesn’t ignore.
scoxoxo
Thank you, Sandra. I hope it doesn’t come to this either, but if it does then it’s time for the dolphins.
I love the image of the kelp forest!
Thank you, Sarah 🙂
Mae said it best, this is beautiful, Denise.
Thank you, Jacquie 🙂 There is something inspiring to me thinking about another world under the water.
Wow! That could serve as the epilog to quite a story.
Thanks, Craig. It does have possibilities.
The earth is self healing and I love the way you convey this in your poem. Nicely done, Denise.
It is, Mark 🙂 I hope it doesn’t have to heal from anything this extreme.
Just lovely, Denise. I know you love your dolphin. <3
Thanks Colleen, I do 🙂
I just came from Harmony’s and Gwen’s blogs. When I saw the photo prompt, I immediately thought of you. Very nice, Denise!
I couldn’t resist picking the dolphin, Joan 🙂 Thank you!
You took his to an unexpected place, Denise. A sci-fi story and hopefully not reality. Loved it. Thanks for the great prompt, too!
Thanks, Diana 🙂 I hope it doesn’t happen and its only a worry. I jave a feeling though dolphins would be much wiser.
Yes, nature in general would do well if humans ceased to be. 🙂
What a satisfying story, Denise.
Thank you, Jacqui 🙂
The imagery of your words is absolutely amazing, Denise! Thanks so much for sharing. 🙂
The ocean seems to offer all those images 🙂 Thank you, Natalie!
This is brilliant Denise! Love the imagery.
Thank you, Balroop 🙂 I enjoyed working from this image.
I just love this. I feel like I’m in the ocean swimming with your dolphins in a brave new world:)
Happy Weekend.
scoxoxo
Thanks, Sandra 🙂 It would be quite an adventure being a part of that pod.
HI Denise, despite its bleak message for humanity, I really like this.
Thank you, Robbie. I hope this day never comes.
Nice poem, and story to go with the image Denise. I had a go but found it a tricky one this time as I chose a diatelle. Loved yours! 🙂
Thanks, Marje 🙂 You did a good job on the diatelle, I’ve only tried it once. It is a hard one.
Yes I found it very hard to do. 🙂
The last time I was at the ‘shore’ – with my niece (and others) – she claimed to be a dolphin magnet. And well, it seemed true enough. We saw several small pods at different times of the day and even some playful youngsters who did spiral flips for us!!
I visited Maui a few (more than a few) years ago… I do not recall if I saw dolphins then. I do remember being at a small beach and floating in clear warm water watching the sun rise.
For all those who begin again (especially for those who seemingly had no choice…) may the road (or swim) be calm and loving.
I would love to hang out with your niece and see all the dolphins 🙂 There is nothing like it. I love floating on the Hawaii waters too. I never been in the water for a sunrise though, only sunsets.
That’s my hope too that the swim may be calm and loving, Jules 🙂
🙂
I would like to go back to one of the smaller islands of Hawai’i. I think we did most of what was available on Maui – including seeing some petroglyphs on some priavte grounds. Any ocean water will do for me – especially if the water is on the warmer side 😉
You can’t go wrong on any island in Hawaii. We have been focusing on Kauai our last few trips. How amazing to have been able to see those petroglyphs! I’m with you about the ocean, but i don’t mind just being on the shore by colder waters either.
I’ve been able to (after storms mostly) to collect coral from quite a number of different ‘shores’. My favorite is a tiny piece of purple coral. Walking the shore is so soothing. 🙂
Amazing lines that just give life to the image!
Thank you, dolphins are inspiring.
Beautiful prose brought to life from the lovely photo Denise. xx
Thank you, Debby 🙂 Dolphins inspire me. Xo
They are beautiful 🙂 x