The Versesmith

   24 Seasons Syllabic Poetry Challenge, No. 50 White Dew (September 7 – 22) Hakuro 白露 "Your writing invitation is to write tanka prose with me! The use of the kigo words are OPTIONAL. If they work for your poem, use them." I have used the kigo word Dew in my tanka prose.  It was just today when the first morning condensation was on my windshield.   So welcome was the sight, I took it's picture!  You know it's been a long summer when condensation is photo-worthy! The days are still hot.  90s and low 100s hot.  However, the nights are finally cooling, making it easier to sleep in a non-air conditioned room.   The most obvious sign that autumn is nigh is today was the first morning there was condensation on the car windshield.  It may not be as romantic as spring’s first blossom, or winter’s first snow flake, but after the summer I've had it’s the most welcome.   dew coats the windows an early morning surprise obscuring my ...

24 Seasons Syllabic Poetry Challenge, No. 44 Sweltering Heat (July 22 – August 6) Taisho 大暑 "Your syllabic poetry writing invitation is to choose a kigo word or phrase from the seasonal kigo list on the post, or you can choose from the summer category for the Northern Hemisphere, or winter/spring category for the Southern Hemisphere on the kigo word list links below. Share your kigo word on your post... You must use one kigo word or phrase in your syllabic poem." As I am currently under Sweltering Heat conditions (outside... as well as in, as my bathroom floor is being replaced and right now drying with the help of three industrial dehumidifiers) I was quite inspired by a few of the kigo words and phrases this week! I choose " blazing sun ," " summer rain storms ," " melon " (or type of melon), and " summer naps ." blazing sun fire in the sky  at daybreak  blazing sun  ice cold honeydew  summer snack cool watermelon  my anticipation g...

        24 Seasons Syllabic Poetry Challenge, No. 43      Growing Heat 小暑（Shousho） "Your writing invitation is to choose one of the 24 Forms for your poem. You can use the kigo words and phrases from the Part I challenge post… or you can use the phrases I’ve created… Below…  Use one kigo phrase in each of your three poems in whatever order you’d like. If you can’t write three poems, please write at least one." Northern Hemisphere:     • #1: “smoldering heat”     • #2: “midsummer darkness”     • #3: “cutting the grass” Midnight Dip  (Shadorma: " smoldering heat ") smold’ring heat sleep flees the damp sheets once again up at two I step out into the yard dip feet in dog’s pool credit A Thunder Moon  (American Cinquain: " midsummer darkness ")  no sleep again tonight in midsummer darkness the Thunder Moon's bright light a lie no rain I Will Cut No Grass Today (Double Etheree...

                    24 Seasons Syllabic Poetry Challenge, No. 42     The Beginning of Midsummer: Growing Heat (July 7 – 21)  Shosho 小暑  " This week for #TankaTuesday we’re in the season of the Beginning of Midsummer in the Northern Hemisphere as we follow the 24 Seasons of Japan.  Your syllabic poetry writing invitation is to choose a kigo word or phrase from the seasonal kigo list on the post, or you can choose from the summer category in the Northern Hemisphere, and the winter category in the Southern Hemisphere. Choose from the kigo word list below, or the 500 Kigo Word List . " I chose  Growing Heat  from the kigo word list.  The heat where I live isn't growing, it's already fully grown well beyond summer's usual, and the first wildfire of the season has brought smoke to the valley. A Hell of a Summer  Smoke arrived early this summer, dragged along on the heels of the heat. ...

  24 Seasons Syllabic Poetry Challenge, No. 32  Grain Rain (April 19 – May 4) Koku 穀雨 " This week: Your writing invitation is to experiment with the renga form. " " I’ll give you the hokku portion for the Northern & Southern Hemispheres, and you write the wakiku portion. (I’ll add the kigo words to the hokku).  BONUS: After you write the wakiku in reply to my hokku, please add your own hokku (haiku) on your post. In the comments on your post, I’ll add the wakiku portion! " an empty attic the sound of April showers thunderous rumblings so different from winter's silent snowfalls on my roof For my hokku I have used the kigo "wisteria," as mine is blooming. with lilac petals the wisteria perfumes the air as we pass ©2024 Lisa Smith Nelson. All Rights Reserved  #tankatuesday #kigo #tankatuesdaypoetrychallenge #tankatuesday24seasons #rengapoem #renga  #syllabicpoetry #wisteria

 24 Seasons Syllabic Poetry Challenge, No. 24  Wintering Insects Awake (March 5 – 19) Keichitsu 啓蟄 " Your syllabic poetry writing invitation is to choose a kigo word or phrase from the seasonal kigo list on the post, or you can choose from the spring category on the kigo word list links below. Share your kigo word on your pos t." It's been raining.  It's been snowing.  Then more rain.  It's muddy.  Very, very muddy.  So, what kigo phrase would be more fitting right now than Spring Mud ?  Nothing I can think of.   It was made for me considering I took the photo below just two days ago!  I wrote a h aiga . ©2024 Lisa Smith Nelson. All Rights Reserved #tankatuesday #kigo #tankatuesdaypoetrychallenge #tankatuesday24seasons #haiga #syllabicpoetry 

  24 Seasons Syllabic Poetry Challenge, No. 23  Snow Becomes Rain (February 19 – March 4) Usui 雨水 " Your writing invitation is to choose one of the 24 Forms for your poem. (You can select 3 different forms for the 3 suggested kigo word phrases, if you’d like). You can use the kigo words and phrases from the Part I challenge post..., or you can use the phrases I’ve created..." Kigo phrases for the Northern Hemisphere. early spring [insert an early spring flower name] spring flowers lingering snow leap day photo ©Lisa Smith Nelson, taken in February 2019 leap day garden stroll winter's overstayed his time  yet more snow forecast lingering snow slush crunches under my rain boots dismal day ahead early spring crocus bright jewels on frozen ground my morning replete  ©2024 Lisa Smith Nelson. All Rights Reserved  photo ©Lisa Smith Nelson, taken in February 2019

 24 Seasons Syllabic Poetry Challenge, No. 22  Snow Becomes Rain (February 19 – March 4) Usui 雨水 "Your syllabic poetry writing invitation is to choose a kigo word or phrase from the seasonal kigo list on the post. You can select from the Winter and Early Spring categories ( Yuki Teikei Haiku Society ) on the kigo word list links below. Share your kigo word on your post." I have written a kouta with the kigo phrase, " the month of expectation, "  using plural " months ."    I have edited the original to change "the" in the last line to "nor," as it wasn't clear that "he" did not live to see the spring blooms.  image public domain These months of expectation promise nothing to me now. He'll not see another spring, nor cherries in bloom. ©2024 Lisa Smith Nelson. All Rights Reserved  #tankatuesday #kigo #tankatuesdaypoetrychallenge #tankatuesday24seasons #kouta #syllabicpoetry 

  24 Seasons Syllabic Poetry Challenge, No. 21 The Beginning of Spring (February 3 – 20) Risshun 立 " ... write a poem using one of the 24 forms—your choice. Choose a kigo word or phrase from the seasonal kigo list on the post. Or you can select from the Winter and Early Spring categories ( Yuki Teikei Haiku Society ) or select from the kigo word list links below. Share your kigo word on your post ." My choice from the 24 forms is a mondo .  My kigo phrases are " lingering cold ," " crisp weather ," and a rewording of " remaining snow ."  Peas do get planted in February here in Southern Oregon. Why are you planting seeds in the lingering cold while snow remains in the shade? Crisp weather sowing is just right for the snap peas  you love so well in stir-fry. ©2024 Lisa Smith Nelson. All Rights Reserved  #tankatuesday #kigo #tankatuesdaypoetrychallenge #tankatuesday24seasons #mondopoem #mondo #tanka #syllabicpoetry 

 24 Seasons Syllabic Poetry Challenge, No. 20 The Beginning of Spring (February 3 – 20) Risshun 立 " ...choose a kigo word or phrase from the seasonal kigo list on the post, or you can choose from the Winter and Early Spring categories ( Yuki Teikei Haiku Society ) on the kigo word list links below.  Share your kigo word in your post. " I chose, for a tanka and a haiku, " shallow spring ," " lingering cold ," " cats in love ," and a take on " plum blossoms ," using plum buds, as my plum blossoms (actually a pluot) are only buds at this point.  The cats have been " in love " outside the windows in the night for the past week. this pale shallow spring flowering quince disregards the lingering cold plum buds swollen with promise outside my frosted windows cats in love shrieking nocturnes - shadows under dim shallow spring moonlight ©2024 Lisa Smith Nelson. All Rights Reserved  #tankatuesday #kigo #tankatuesdaypoetry...

  24 Seasons Syllabic Poetry Challenge, No. 17  Part III: Early Cold (January 5 – 20) Shokan 小寒 – Poet’s Choice "This week’s TankaTuesday challenge invites poets to choose kigo words from a past season or the Early Cold challenge. The poetry form and season are open, but a kigo word must be included. Optional art prompt provided." I wrote one haiku and two tankas.  The kigo words are in red.  Winter in the Country , by George Henry Durrie winter morning chores sweet aroma of grass hay cattle’s soft warm breath the plough in the shed dreaming this winter morning clear dawn sky, cold light star sparkles – another plough* above my head to the east ©Lisa Smith Nelson steam from the saw mill reaches for the waning moon pink sky a portent of cold clouds before mid-day of barn cats chasing their tails** ©2024 Lisa Smith Nelson. All Rights Reserved  *The Plough is another name for the Big Dipper. **It's said that barn cats will chase their ...

 24 Seasons Syllabic Poetry Challenge, No. 11 Heavy Snow (December 7 – 20) Taisetsu 大雪 "... choose a kigo word or phrase from the seasonal kigo list on the post, or you can choose from the winter category (world kigo database) on the kigo word list links below. Share your kigo word on your post ." I have chosen two to include in a shadorma.  " North wind " from In the Sky , and " rosemary " from In the Ground and Water .  The prostrate rosemary will be blooming all winter in zone 8b. photo credit: Lisa Smith Nelson ©2023 ROSEMARY   Rosemary laughs in North Wind’s face. She laughs and flourishes, unmoved by Wind’s biting chill, his sharp icy gusts. ©2023 Lisa Smith Nelson. All Rights Reserved #tankatuesdaypoetrychallenge #tankatuesday24seasons #kigo #japanesepoetry #24seasons #taisetsu #rosemarypoetry 

  24 Seasons Syllabic Poetry Challenge, No. 10 Light Snow (November 22 – December 6) Shosetsu 小雪 " The 24 Seasons Syllabic Poetry challenge is inviting participants to write three dodoitsu, a form of Japanese poetry, following a 7-7-7-5 syllable count pattern. Each poem should contain a specified kigo phrase relating to either the northern or southern hemisphere ."  Use one kigo phrase in each of your three poems. #1: “early winter dusk” #2: “chilly north winds blow” #3: “warmth around the hearth” in the neglected flower beds the browned leaves swirl, a wild dance a last bright petal rises chilly north winds blow strive to keep my usage down make do with nature’s lighting it’s harder in December early winter dusk  sparks fly from the shifting log small out-of-season sparklers  children squeal in mock alarm  warmth around the hearth  ©2023 Lisa Smith Nelson. All Rights Reserved #tankatuesdaypoetrychallenge #tankatuesday24seasons #dodoitsu #kigo #japanesepo...

  24 Seasons Syllabic Poetry Challenge, No. 9  Light Snow (November 22 – December 6) Shosetsu 小雪 "...choose a kigo word or phrase from the seasonal kigo list on the post, or you can choose from the winter category ( world kigo database ) on the kigo word list links below. Share your kigo word on your post." I chose " woodsmoke " from the In the Sky list.   Woodsmoke was on my mind as colder weather has arrived and people are firing up their wood stoves.  While they seem like a clean, natural way to heat, back-to-nature if you will, and burning wood does smell wonderful, they can be a significant source of air pollution.  Years ago, in the mountains of California, the air was thick with smoke all winter.   image source Woodsmoke hangs heavy the valley shrouded in grey fragrant pollution ©2023 Lisa Smith Nelson. All Rights Reserved  #tankatuesdaypoetrychallenge #tankatuesday24seasons #haiku  #kigo #japanesepoetry #24seasons #ritto...

Tanka Tuesday 24 Seasons Syllabic Poetry Challenge No. 8   The Beginning of Winter (November 7 – 21) Ritto 立冬 "Below you will find the three kigo phrases (five syllables each). You can use them as the “turn lines” or “pivots” (third lines) for each of your three tanka, or as the first line of your tanka. You must use one kigo phrase in each tanka as either the first line or the pivot line in each of your three tanka poems." The kigo phrases are: #1: “the first month with sleet” #2: “late winter garden” #3: “blanket by the fire” the first month with sleet these early cold days are hard since I've been alone the nights are so much longer I don't know how long I'll last squash dead on the vine withered tomatoes turned brown late winter garden  hang up the garden hoses close the garden shed door tight the first cold morning mug of hot cocoa in hand blanket by the fire warms my legs and the old dog memories for when he's gone * ©2023 Lisa Smith Nelson. All Rights R...

  Tanka Tuesday 24 Seasons Syllabic Poetry Challenge No. 7    The Beginning of Winter (November 7 – 21) Ritto 立冬 "... choose a kigo word or phrase from the seasonal kigo list on the post, or you can choose from the autumn category... Share your kigo word on your post ." I have chosen " ramen " from the list In Our Lives , and " close the north windows ," found here . image close the north windows  let the panes fog with the steam  of fragrant ramen  ©2023 Lisa Smith Nelson. All Rights Reserved #tankatuesdaypoetrychallenge #tankatuesday24seasons #haiku  #kigo #japanesepoetry #24seasons #ritto

Tanka Tuesday 24 Seasons Syllabic Poetry Challenge No. 5  First Frost (October 23rd – November 6) Soukou 霜降 " ... choose a kigo word or phrase from the seasonal kigo list on the post, or you can choose from the autumn category... Share your kigo word on your post. " I have chosen " first frost ," as I am expecting my first frost tomorrow night.  One of the kigo phrases is " preparations for winter ," and I have switched that to " not prepared for winter ."   The photos are from last year. first frost due tonight I need to leave my warm house prepare the garden the faucets are still unwrapped I'm not prepared for winter ©2023 Lisa Smith Nelson. All Rights Reserved #tankatuesdaypoetrychallenge #tanka #tankapoetry #syllabicpoetry #kigo #tankatuesday 

Tanka Tuesday 24 Seasons Syllabic Poetry Challenge No. 3   Cold Dew (October 9 – October 22) Shubun 秋分  "... choose a kigo word or phrase from the seasonal kigo list on the post, or you can choose from the autumn category... Share your kigo word on your post." I wrote two.  One, a haiku using the word "chrysanthemums." image public domain no color left save yellow chrysanthemums in the blue cloisonné vase     ©2023 Lisa Smith Nelson. All Rights Reserved The other is a shahai (photo haiku), with the kigo phrase  "birds head south," replacing "birds" with "geese," as they are heading noisily south over my house daily here in Southern Oregon.   #tankatuesdaypoetrychallenge #tankatuesday24seasons #haiku #shahai #kigo #japanesepoetry #24seasons 

Tanka Tuesday 24 Seasons Syllabic Poetry Challenge No. 2   The Autumn Equinox (September 22 – October 7) Shubun 秋分 "... choose a kigo word or phrase from the seasonal kigo list on the post, or you can choose from the autumn category... Share your kigo word on your post." I chose the kigo word "grapes" from the words for this season.  My wild grapes have just finished ripening here in Southern Oregon. My form of choice is a mondo. The grapes on the fence, the ones hanging in clusters,  who will be first to taste them? You planned tart wines and jars of jelly for Christmas, the raccoons left you nothing. ©2023 Lisa Smith Nelson. All Rights Reserved #tankatuesdaysyllabicpoetrychallenge #24seasonspoetry #mondo #mondopoetry #mondopoem #shubunpoetry