On this last day of the first edition of Micropoetry Month, I thought we’d take a look at the Jisei, the Japanese Death Poem. The Jisei, written about death in general or about one’s own imminent death, reflects the poet’s contemplation of his mortality, of what was and what comes next both in the context of … Continue reading Micropoetry Month: Nov 2017: #30
With just one more day left, Micropoetry Month pulls away to a bittersweet end. Writing everyday was pleasure and pain. Was joy and angst. Was exhilarating and draining. Was necessary and random. Was everything poetry is. And isn’t. I have a short poem today inspired by a Midweek prompt at Poets United If you haven’t visited … Continue reading Micropoetry Month: Nov 2017: #29
As we start counting down the last three days of November, I want to share another Cherita, a form that is becoming increasingly popular. If you’re just learning about this form, it is a six line poem, broken into three verses. The first verse has 1 line, the second has 2 and the third has … Continue reading Micropoetry Month: Nov 2017: #28
I’ve always wanted to try the “American Sentence” but it seemed rather intimidating. How can one sentence be a poem? Can it? If you’re new to the form, there’s a ton of information online including here. Allen Ginsberg visualized 17 syllables in one straight line encapsulating the ‘shadow of the moment’. This is an interesting … Continue reading Micropoetry Month: Nov 2017: #27
I’ve never attempted a cinquain before. I had to look up the rules and found that the original form developed by Adelaide Crapsey expected a seemingly unmanageable accentual stress rule as well as a syllabic pattern. I am writing this just as a 22 syllable poem following the challenging 2/4/6/8/2 pattern. I think this will … Continue reading Micropoetry Month: Nov 2017: #26
A Quadrille (44 word poem) this morning that came out of nowhere! Sometimes, you start writing something and it takes on a life of its own and picks its own form, chooses its own words and then dares you to make a single change. The poet then, is just a channel, a medium for thoughts … Continue reading Micropoetry Month: Nov 2017: #25
Alright, if you’ve got a minute today…!! A minute poem has 12 lines of 60 syllables broken into in 3 stanzas, following the 8/4/4/4 syllable pattern and the aabb/ ccdd/ eeff/ rhyme scheme. Write your micropoem and share using comments or Mister Linky! shut down the weapon factories find ways for peace question your gun question … Continue reading Micropoetry Month: Nov 2017: #24
I tried the Naani form in the first week of Micropoetry Month. It is a four line poem that has 20-25 syllables. The first two lines provide the subject that the next two bring to an interesting close. Thought we’d give it another shot as we make our way into the last week of November. … Continue reading Micropoetry Month: Nov 2017: #23
I love the Ghazal – it is lyrical, challenging and utterly beautiful when it comes out right. The repeating end word and rhyming word of each couplet define the cadence of the ghazal and direct its mood. No one writes it better in English than Agha Shahid Ali, one of my favourite poets. Try a … Continue reading Micropoetry Month: Nov 2017: #22
They say poets shouldn’t write poems about poetry… but then, who else will! What about poetry though? Bring your thoughts on poetry- how far does it reach, can it make a difference, are people who aren’t writing poetry, reading poetry? Or do you write for yourself, because you can, because you have to and it … Continue reading Micropoetry Month: Nov 2017: #21
