The Versesmith

 dVerse: Compounding the Stem So for today’s prompt we are turning our attention to compound words and... a prompt... that is the Compound Word Verse...  a poetry from invented by Margaret R. Smith. 15 lines 5 stanzas 3 lines per stanza rhyme scheme a,a,b meter 8/8/3 last line of each stanza includes a compound word using the same stem the poem’s title includes the stem word appearing in the east tonight reflectin g through the trees its light the moonrise luminous in the flower bed towering over roses red moonflowers in my hand held up to her beam I sense a calmness, as a dream my moonstone the glow and play of light within remind me of the light akin to moonglow later on, through curtains of lace celestial light that shines from space a moonbeam ©2026 Lisa Smith Nelson. All Rights Reserved   In Roman Mythology moonstones were believed to be the tears of the goddess Diana, who was the personification of the moo...

 Z – Zip Ode We've come to the end of another April, another last letter in the A to Z Challenge.  For Z I offer The Zip Ode, an invented form from O, Miami and WLRN .  Your zip code is the basis of a poem!   When you're done, you can even submit it on the O'Miami page.   www.wlrn.org/write-an-ode-to-your-zip-code Write or type your zip code down the left side of the page.  Each number determines the number of words in that line.  Alternatively, you can use syllable count. If your zip code includes a zero, it's up to you, it's considered a wild card.  Blank, emoji, punctuation, words...  This is not my zip code now, but the one from the city where I grew up. 94595 If I tried to climb those hills now, I doubt I would make the top without rest. Then, I’d run to my father as he came down from the bus. ©2024 Lisa Smith Nelson. All Rights Reserved That was fun!  Let's do it again next year!  I already have plans!

 I – I Invented No, not too many Is!  This is an invented form that I created as a prompt last April for Tanka Tuesday.  We were asked to create a from with 65 syllables. I called it The Five and Dime due to the syllable counts being 5s and 10s.   The "rules" are simple.  It may have a title if you wish.  If you use the form, please credit me! * 9 lines * syllables 10/5/10/10/5/10/5/5/5  * rhyme abaababbb (or, the 10 syllable lines have one rhyme, the 5 syllable a different rhyme) Unfortunately, the poem I wrote is based on the true story of March's pea bed.  On this near spring morning I check the peas, hoping to see green.  Chilly cold, my hood up against the breeze, I hope.  Gardening holds no guarantees.  The nights have still been long and dark, no suspension of dawn's freeze. Not a sprout is seen. In their place a scene, a stray cat latrine  ©2024 Lisa Smith Nelson. All Rights Reserved

  Tanka Tuesday No. 316 Poets and Storytellers United: Friday Writings  : time affects all things This week is a Special Birthday Prompt for Colleen's 65th birthday.  She has asked us to create a syllabic form with 65 syllables, or a combination of words that amount to 65.  I have chosen to create a syllabic form with the following requirements. 9 lines 10/5/10/10/5/10/5/5/5  rhyme abaababbb (so 10 syllable lines all rhyme with each other, and the 5 syllable lines have a different rhyme with each other) I call it The Five and Dime because the 10s and 5s written out made me think of the old five and dime stores, which at age 65, I remember! To say that Time awaits no man is so. Still, he seeks to block, and stop the hands of Time to halt its flow. If within my power, I would forgo, not dare slow the clock. So grasp whatever age Time does bestow. Looking back, take stock, head held high, and walk, to Time’s door and knock. ©2023 Lisa Smith Ne...

 Tanka Tuesday Poetry Challenge No. 294 Ekphrastic Poetry: prompt photo from Lisa at Tao Talk .  My choice of syllabic form: zappai and rictameter Rictameter is a form invented by cousins in the 1990's for a weekly contest of their own invented "order" inspired by Dead Poet's Society . * 9 lines * 2/4/6/8/10/8/6/4/2  * first and last lines use the same word *  rhymed or unrhymed. © Lisa Fox     deep waters run still unknown things, slimy, ancient lay in wait, patient   Beware. Observe the gate.   Black waters harbor souls. Ancient beings, cursed and cold. Ravenous, insatiable and greedy, jowls oozing in expectation. Memories of feasting once, eons past. Beware. ©2022 Lisa Smith Nelson. All Rights Reserved #tankatuesdayno290 #tankatuesday #rictameter #rictameterpoetry #inventedpoetryform #syllabicpoetry #syllabicpoem #zappai #ekphrasis #ekphrasticpoetry #poetryprompt #photoprompt #writingprompt