The Versesmith

 Poets and Storytellers United #159: Making it New  " So, for your optional prompt this week, I invite you to look through your writings and see if there is anything you might remix to make a new piece. " Years ago I started working on this little  senryū for a prompt I later found I couldn't post (it required WordPress pingbacks).  So, here it is. Or, as edited, I guess it's a photo  senryū.

I was going to participate in a postcard event where you write poetry on the back of postcards, but changed my mind.  I had written a few poem already, including this one for Medusa, as well as one for a postcard I'm using for Red week.  So they don't go waste I'm posting them here (and on my other blog for Thursday Postcard Hunt ). Detail of Caravaggio's Medusa, who was given a bad rap. MEDUSA I sitting here, looking at Medusa, thinking of victims. Hers is a story as old as time and as young as this morning. Who’s to blame her anger? There she was, sitting peacefully in the temple, when along comes Poseidon, (who really should have been cavorting with the mermaids, not ogling a maiden in Athena’s temple) who can’t resist her beauty. Talk about victim blaming! What kind of goddess was Athena anyway? Like mortal Medusa stood any chance against a god! It’s  her  fault her own temple was defiled! I’m sitting here, looking at Medusa. Assaulted. Punished. Decapitated. I’m...

Ronovan Writes Ovi Poetry Challenge 82: AWARE is your inspiration We must take a strong stand to stop books being banned, get heads out of the sand, or we all will lose out. We must all stay awake, there is too much at stake,  it should make your heart break, watching this happen.  It may begin with some books,  then they'll sink in their hooks, and because they're all crooks, we'll lose some of our freedoms. ©2025 Lisa Smith Nelson. All Rights Reserved  #ovi #ovipoetry #syllabicpoetry #ronovanwrites #poetrychallenge 

It's Haibun Monday at dVerse . "Hello dVersians! Welcome back after the holidays break. This is Li(sa) and it is my pleasure to host Haibun Monday today.   While looking for something different but still within the parameters of haibun, I came across a form called, burning haibun..." Now it has come to the place where I lay out your choices to inspire you today. Please choose one (or more) of these options: 1: Write a burning haibun based on an interior journey you’ve taken. 2: Write a burning haibun using the lyrics from a favorite song to inspire you. If you choose #1 or #2, please show all of the incarnations, from original prose, to first erasure (or bolding words, as done above) to the second erasure verse using the chosen bolded words, to the final haiku or senryu (aka personalized haiku) If you’re not feeling adventurous, please choose #3: 3: Write a haibun on any topic you choose. Burning haibun is a brand new form for me and in the world of poetry in general....

 Colleen of Tanka Tuesday has offered the follow syllabic poetry prompt.  This will be the last Tanka Tuesday Poetry Challenge as Colleen has retired the challenge.  "This week, we’re using the Native American Zodiac for inspiration. Find your sign and write a syllabic poem about your zodiac animal." Image from Threads  Based on my birthdate, my Native American Zodiac Sign is The Salmon.* So, for this last Tanka Tuesday, on the last day of 2024, I offer a haiku.  Fortunately, " salmon spawning time " is indeed a kigo phrase. Kokanee salmon in Kokanee Creek, B.C. Canada  where the salmon spawn water runs shallow and clear bear, osprey, gather ©2024 Lisa Smith Nelson. All Rights Reserved  Lockhart Creek Camp - bears and osprey need not heed the warning! *Photos are from a childhood vacation in Canada.  Other than salmon as food (and my dog refuses any protein but salmon!) these spawning Kokanee are my only experience with the fish.  I w...

Tanka Tuesday Poetry Challenge: Haiga This week Melissa asks us to create a "'... haiga using a photo or illustration and a haiku ."   She asks that we remember in a haiga " The image is not an illustration for the poem, nor is the poem a caption for the image! Each should be able to stand alone, and neither should need the other to complete it." photo ©2024 Lisa Smith Nelson #tankatuesdaypoetrychallenge #tankatuesday #haiga #photohaiku #haiku #syllabicpoetry