Category: poetry

#CreativePerspectiveChallenge Seven Results! #writingcommunity #poetry #flashfiction

Here is the amazing result link, followed by Sue Wickstead’s poem, and my response.

Yvette Calleiro: https://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com/2025/07/futuristic-dreams-tankatuesday.html

A Poem by Sue Wickstead

‘I woke up one day and I was on the moon.’
All around me there was grey dust and hollow craters.
There was an eerie silence, and I felt myself shiver. How did I get here?
My movements felt slow and heavy.
The sunlight in the distance shone on the silver-grey surface casting long shadows across the land.
Looking out into the distant blackness of space I could see a million twinkling stars.
And there in front of me was the blue green planet earth.
My planet!
My world!
Shining and slowly spinning.
I could see the richness of the sea and the land and the white clouds swirling. It certainly was a peaceful calm vision.
A beautiful sight, a silent world slowly turning in the darkness of space.
How calm it looked.
You could not hear the bustle of busy people dashing about.
You could not see the fighting nor the damage we were doing.
But, most of all you could not sense the fear of the pandemic as it spread from person to person.
Here you could look down and see only the beauty, not the ugliness and not the fear of ‘covid’.
Here I could stand in my bubble on a distant moon safe from everything.
But I don’t want to be alone.
I want to be in my world on my earth no matter how ugly it can be.

Sue Wickstead (2021)

LAST CHANCE

D. L. Finn

This was their last chance. Success was imperative for their survival. They were supposed to go to the farthest planet in their solar system as they slept. Their mission was to locate precious minerals needed for their planet’s survival. The youthful military crew of six, Jacob, Adam, Michael, Leah, Ruth, and Evelyn, were to be awakened when they arrived, but when they woke up, it wasn’t their solar system. The self-propelled engine was down to five percent and had lost the ability to replenish from its source, their sun. The training and repair manuals didn’t cover this scenario.

Jacob edged into the icy waters to test them. At least this water didn’t sizzle against his suit like the acidic water had on the last planet they thought was to be their new home. That planet may have had water and oxygen in its atmosphere, but it was also corrosive and would have eventually destroyed the ship and them.  As Jacob stooped to collect his sample, Leah was running tests on this planet’s atmosphere. He hoped she would have a positive report since there was no hope of a rescue mission. He capped the water and headed back to the ship.

So far, they hadn’t seen any sign of life, but the ship’s radar picked up other life forms right before they plunged onto the sandy surface. What lived beyond those mountains or deep in the water? Would his group be prey or predators?

Exploring planets

had been a great adventure

learn what was beyond

their wars, greed, and corruption

here on Earth, they’d try again.

There will be no new blogs until August 5 as I continue on my July break. My internet will be spotty for the next month, and I’m waiting for a repair person for a dead landline and in and out of DSL. I’m told our new underground optic cable (to bring rural areas safe communication) will be installed in a few weeks! Can’t wait!  Countdown 🙂 D. L. Finn (Denise)

From Finn’s Forest 23 #writingcommunity #poetry #forest #writing

This year, we’ve seen an unusual number of pinecones dropping. I cleaned them up once already. From what I’ve read, they are more likely to drop in the fall, but some do in spring. We did have a very mild winter with rain that came in large amounts, with dry periods in between. Perhaps the pines are confused, or it’s what they call the mast year, where they overproduce. Either way, there are a lot of pinecones, and I hope it doesn’t mean insects are to blame for it. But it always gets me to think about not only the health of our forest, but how being in it can bring us health too.

So, yes, I’ll be out there raking once again and clearing the area for my fairies’ town to return. I may want to wear a hat, though, so I don’t get hit by one. Wondering about nature and my surroundings not only inspires stories but also poetry. Something I haven’t done in a while is to share some poems or even write them as I wonder…

Memorizing woods

Winds carry ancient wisdom

Planting future seeds

Clear minds, silent woods

In our peaceful surrender

Miracles abound

NOTE: There will be no posts here for the next two weeks as I will be on vacation. Will be back May 13th for my book reviews.

Also on my website there is a button for D. L. Finn’s Gratitude Store. I’d love if you dropped by and shared it. Maybe visit the store and tell me what you think.

Embrace your inner child by reading a good book! D. L. Finn (Denise)

Tanka Tuesday Challege: Music Inspires #poetry, #TankaTuesday, #haibun, #syllabicpoetry, #tankatuesdaychallenges

Hi,

It’s been a while, over a year, since I’ve posted a new poem or participated in a challenge. I am slowly getting back to writing after a reflective poetry break. This is for the Tanka Tuesday Poetry Challenge, Music Inspires, and here are the instructions:

Hello everyone willowdot21 here, welcome to Tanka Tuesday.

Now I have made this style up and I do not have a name for it but I have used it more than once. It’s quite simple so here are the Rules.

  1. Chose a piece of music.
  2. The music can have lyrics or not as you choose.
  3. The music can be of any genre.
  4. Then write a syllabic poem about how the music either makes you feel or what it suggests to you.

I was intrigued by the idea of writing a poem to a song. This is a haibun which is prose poetry connected to a haiku. This isn’t a haiku but written in that format. The song is the instrumental of “Imagine.”

Imagine the End

The words reverberated over the strewn bodies from the discarded radios. The war was over, but who won? Shay’s gaze met her enemy’s steely blue eyes. Guns still pointed at each other, she gently lowered her weapon and dropped it to the ground. Exhausted, she bowed and held her breath, waiting for the expected pain, but none came. The enemy’s gun fell with a tinny clunk next to hers. Gasping in the coppery air, she studied her enemy. The young man covered in the death of tarnished ideals reached out his hand. She hesitated, assessing their surroundings. They were the lone figures remaining, the only souls to have escaped the devastation. Shay accepted his extended hand with a nod.

hands tightly clasped

advanced into the unknown

imagining peace

New Release! Shh, Purely Poetry by M.J. Mallon @Marjorie_Mallon #newrelease #poetry #whattoread #poetrycommunity #writingcommunity

I’m thrilled to have Marjorie, M. J. Mallon, here today to share her latest release, Shh, Purely Poetry: Sensual, Love and Relationship Poems! My review is included 🙂

 BLURB

A compilation of sensual, love and relationship poems. Quirky, unusual and evocative.

Shh, Purely Poetry is a collection of poetic pieces about love, sensuality and relationships with sections entitled: love as fuel, (food and coffee love,) the summer and winter of love, strangers in love, quirky aspects and nature as sensuality.

Inspired in part by daily prompt poems written for the 365poetrypromptchallenge, observations of places, people and my travels.

UNIVERSAL AMAZON LINK

MY REVIEW

A loving collection of poetry that delicately weaves in relationships at many stages. Many are sensual, full of texture and images, and some offer unique takes on human interaction. Here are a few beautiful passages: “The Sweetness/The longing/Each kiss deeper/different and the same/Like I belonged to more than him/Like I belonged to the poetry.”؅—Dining on Poetry, “…beautiful calligraphy to highlight/tiny ink splodges to add character/tear drops to remind me of sad days.”—Love Hidden In the Margin, and “She is fair and I am dark/Slight and I am robust/We fill our together/completing our silhouettes.”—Silhouettes. “Shh, Purely Poetry” is meant to be savored more than once by lovers of sensuous and thoughtful poems.

AUTHOR BIO

M J Mallon was born in Lion city, Singapore, a passionate Scorpio with the Chinese Zodiac sign of a lucky rabbit. MJ spent her early childhood in Hong Kong and her teen years in Edinburgh, enthralled by her parents’ stories of living and working overseas. Her experiences sparked her current desire to travel and see the world from her two favourite places, Edinburgh and Portugal. She often returns to her old home in Cambridge, the inspiration for her YA Fantasy series, The Curse of Time.

Standing by the world famous Corpus Christi Clock in Cambridge, watching it in awe, she ponders what might happen next!

MJ loves to write magical stories, sprinkling them with a liberal dollop of extraordinarily imaginative magic!

Next Chapter Publishing YA fantasy series

Bloodstone – The Curse of Time Book 1

And the 2nd in the series

Golden Healer – The Curse of Time Book 2

Her writing credits include paranormal, best-selling horror, supernatural short stories, flash fiction, poetry, pandemic inspired poetry and best-selling anthologies.  Poetry/flash collections include Lockdown Innit, Mr. Sagittarius Poetry & Prose, The Hedge Witch And The Musical Poet and Do What You Love!

Her eclectic blog shares her love of reading, reviewing, writing, poetry,  photography and travel: https://mjmallon.com/

VISIT MJ’s SOCIAL MEDIA SITES:

https://linktr.ee/mjmallonauthor

Day 4—Poetry Treasures 4: In Touch with Nature Blog Tour #newrelease #poetry #PoetryTreasures4 #poetryanthology

It’s day 4 of the WordCrafter Poetry Treasures 4 Book Blog Tour, and today we have a guest post from contributing poet Patricia Furstenberg.

Giveaway

Leave a comment for a chance to win one of three free copies of

Poetry Treasures 4: In Touch with Nature.

Leave a comment at each stop for additional chances.

Winners chosen by random drawing.

Introduction

I’m thrilled to introduce today’s guest, Patricia Furstenberg. I have read and enjoyed many of her books and very excited to be a part of this anthology with her. Here are Patricia’s thoughts on poetry:

Celebrating “Poetry Treasures”: 5 Simple Reasons Why Poetry Holds My Heart

With an enthusiasm for poetry I reflect on the release of our collaborative poetry collection, “Poetry Treasures 4: In Touch with Nature.” As a writer and poet I am drawn to poetry’s intrinsic beauty, and I’d like to share with you five reasons why this art form is so special to me. Because poetry can be often overlooked, perceived as an outdated and sometimes uninteresting genre, often associated with clichés, and one that requires a significant amount of time and patience to fully appreciate.

Despite common misconceptions, poetry is an effective form of communication that incorporates emotions, experiences and the beauty of nature into language. Poetry inspires creativity, provides therapeutic relief and communicates profound truths through carefully chosen words. Poetry is a journey of self-discovery that promotes harmony and connects us to the natural world’s beauty and truth. “Poetry Treasures 4: In Touch with Nature” honors this timeless magic, moving hearts and inspiring minds.

Here are five simple yet profound reasons why I adore poetry.

Like a magic key, poetry unlocks communication skills. Poems are so much more than just words strung together. Verse are formed through weaving emotions, thoughts and experiences into a linguistic tapestry. Poetry promotes effective communication, both with ourselves and with others, through the rhythm and rhyme of its lines. As we explore the complexities of poetic expression, we gain a better understanding of language and improve our communication skills.

Poetry inspires creative ideas. The beauty of poetry lies in its ability to pique our interest and generate new ideas. Poetry, whether through the timeless verses of classical poets or the contemporary musings of modern wordsmiths, has the ability to transport us to realms of creativity we were unaware of. Reading and writing poetry stimulates our imagination, encouraging us to consider new perspectives and appreciate the beauty of spoken language.

Poems have therapeutic benefits. Poetry serves as a spiritual refuge, providing solace and healing during difficult times. Reading poetry allows us to explore the depths of human emotion, providing comfort and understanding in the face of adversity. Poetry’s lyrical verses serve as a mirror to our own experiences, allowing us to navigate the complexities of life with grace and resilience.

Words strung in poems gain magical powers. In the intricate tapestry of poetry, every word and line has significance. Poets use verse to convey profound truths and evoke deep emotions. As we immerse ourselves in the world of poetry, we develop a greater appreciation for the nuances of language and the transformative power of words.

Cultivating harmony and enlightenment: poetry is more than just words on a page; it is a journey of self-discovery and awakening. Through the rhythm and flow of poetic verse we find inner harmony and connect with the world around us. Poetry has the unique ability to cross boundaries and bring us together in a shared experience of beauty and truth.

I urge you to look at “Poetry Treasures” as more than just a collection of poems, because it demonstrates poetry’s enduring power to touch hearts, inspire minds, and illuminate what it means to be human. Enjoy the experience!

About Patricia Furstenberg

Writer and poet Patricia Furstenberg authored 18 books to date. Standing out are: historical bestseller Joyful Trouble, page-turner Silent Heroes, history and folklore-inspired Transylvania’s History A to Z: 100 Word Stories and Dreamland, and beloved children’s literature The Cheetah and the Dog.

The recurrent motives in her writing are unconditional love and war, while Patricia’s keen interest for history and dogs brought her writing through a perfect loop, to her native Romania, Patricia being the creator of #Im4Ro hashtag, sharing positive stories.

Patricia grew up in Bucharest and was brought up listening to the legends and folktales of Romania’s past.

About Poetry Treasures 4: In Touch with Nature

 

Poetic Treasures Within.

Open the cover

and you will discover

Poetry Treasures

 

from the guests on

Robbie Cheadle’s 2023

“Treasuring Poetry”

blog series

on Writing to be Read.

Included are poetic gems from: Andrew McDowell, Robbie Cheadle, Patricia Furstenberg, Marcia Meara, Luanne Castle, D.L. Finn, Emily Gmitter, Kaye Lynne Booth, Selma Martin, Merril D. Smith, Frank Prem, and Colleen Chesebro.

Purchase Link: https://books2read.com/u/mlM5YA

That wraps up today’s stop. Don’t forget to leave a comment and enter the giveaway for a free copy of this lovely poetry collection. Tomorrow will find us over at Colleen Chesebro, Author & Poet with a guest post by contributing poet, Merril D. Smith.

Stop by and say hi! Poetry Treasure 4 #poetry #poetrycommunity #writingcommunity #poem #nature #newrelease

Hi!

Today I am visiting Kaye Lynn Booth’s beautiful blog reading my poem, “The Island.”  I will be back here in a few days here to share a fellow participants insight on poetry. What a thrill to be a part of this collection. I’d love if you’d stop by and say hello.

 

Welcome to the WordCrafter “Poetry Treasures 4: In Touch with Nature” Book Blog Tour

24 Seasons #Syllabic #Poetry #Challenge, No. 7 #poetrycommunity #tanka #nature

Before the rain arrived, I took a walk downtown. Now the colors are visiting our house too.

Here is Colleen Chesebro’s 24 Seasons Syllabic Poetry Challenge #7. I used In the Sky words from the season list for my tanka poem 5/7/5/7/7:  autumn wind and ice or icy.

Beautiful fall colors in our town 🙂 Nevada City, CA

icy autumn wind
ahead of winter’s visit
stripes the tree’s glow
carelessly tosses those leaves
where gleeful children frolic

24 Seasons #Syllabic #Poetry #Challenge No. 5. #poetrycommunity #poem #haiku #micropoetry #blackcats

Here’s Colleen Chesebro’s 24 Seasons Syllabic Poetry Challenge No. 5. This is what I’m using from the list, “Black Cats as Symbols of Good Luck,” since I have two beautiful black cats, Coco and Luna. I used the haiku format or micro poetry of 5/7/5.
Black Cat in space and new moon
sweet purring black cat
furry muse rests on my lap
warms my chilled old bones

Halloween Creativity #Challenge @teagangeneviene #writingcommunity #halloween #writingchallenge

Hi,

I decided to do a second challenge today. This is Teagan R. Geneviene’s Halloween Creativity Challenge. We were asked to write a story, poem, advertisement, song, or whatever we liked.  There was a chart and we were to go by the letter of our first name and get: a Halloween thing, a hero, and a costume. Mine for D were: Horror Movies, Postman, and Ninja. Although, I never mentioned horror movies, but I felt it read like one. I started out as a short haibun but it grew. Here is my story that ends with micro poetry or a really long haibun 🙂

A Halloween Walk Through the Woods

The wind’s chill cut through my ninja costume. My black boots clicked against the icy cement path that took me through the dark forest. The only light came from my cell phone flashlight. Why did I think taking a shortcut from my house to my neighbor’s Halloween party was a good idea? A loud crack came from behind me, and my heart took off like my heavy feet wanted to do. It sounded like something large had stepped on a tree branch. A bear or… No, that’s a question I shouldn’t ask.

My step quickened, and I wished I had the actual weapons of a ninja. A laugh vibrated through the trees. Unless someone dressed as the wicked witch was behind me and was perfecting their cackle, I was in trouble. At least I had on all black. I shut the flashlight off and made a run for it as fast as my old heart would allow. The laughter crept closer, and I veered off the exposed path into the thick trees.

Then I hid behind the biggest cedar, or maybe it was a pine. I didn’t care. I took a deep breath and slowed down my haggard breathing. My eyes adjusted to the darkness as the laughter and a dark figure were right where I had just been.

A baritone voice called out, “Are we playing hide and go seek tiny ninja? What a fun game you’ve given me on Hallowed Eve. It will make your blood taste all the better, little human.”

I remained silent. It was my only chance. Right then, the heavy cloud cover parted. Moonlight hit the thing directly as its laughter grew louder, echoing off my soul. His pale skin was jagged, like an alligator. Nothing is that tall, nothing human, that is. That was no costume. I had to close my eyes, or what I was seeing would drive me mad.

The next part is unbelievable, but it happened. A woman wearing a light button-up shirt and black pants carrying the same bag as our mailman with a pulsing blue wand marched right up to the monster.

“I surrender.” The thing fell to its knees and held up his arms.

Four letters on the bag glowed in yellow that brightly lit the scene: USPS. The woman with dark curly hair nodded and opened her bag. The creature dissipated into spinning green sparkles that flowed into the bag’s mouth.

“You are safe now,” she said and waved in my direction. “Time to make a delivery.”

Before I could decide how to respond, the evil and the woman were gone.

mail carrier hero

possessed a magical bag

saved me in the woods

24 Seasons Syllabic #Poetry #Challenge, No. 3 #TankaTuesday #poetrycommunity #writingcommunity #poems #tanka #fall

Hi! Here is Colleen Chesebro’s 24 Seasons Syllabic Poetry Challenge, No. 3.

These are the season kigo words I chose for this week: pumpkin & cold dew. I did a tanka 5/7/5/7/7.

world record pumpkin
nestled in dawn’s salty cold dew
massive orange squash
awaits her adoring fans
harvest festival begins

NOTE:

The next From Finn’s Forest talks about special pumpkins 🙂