A ‘Magnetic Poem’ tanka
angel bleeds color
desiring eternity
father's ghost haunting
in joyless kiss lingering
marble nights' old prisoner
Notes
- For this poem, I decided to use the ‘Poet Set’ on the Magnetic Poetry website, which, I believe, is the first time I have done so;
- I find that switching between the sets of magnets makes magnetic poetry more interesting;
- This poem was, in part, inspired by my having lost my own father nearly three years ago, but it’s not about me or about him at all – it’s an entirely fictional piece;
- I once again opted for a tanka, rather than a haiku;
- As I’ve written before, the extra two lines (14 syllables) provide a greater challenge, as well as a larger canvas;
- I’ve really taken to writing magnetic tankas;
- As an additional challenge to myself, I deliberately wrote this as an alphabet poem;
- I searched for and found the featured image only after I had written the entire tanka.
Like this:
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blades itching. Is this magnetic poetry I keep seeing you post about?
What is*
Lance – here’s the link: https://magneticpoetry.com/pages/play-online
Hmm, not sure if it fits my style but I love reading yours.
I see it primarily as a writing exercise – a challenge to write something poetic with very limited words.
I struggle with it not being my words. Would be hard for me to feel inspired.
I feel you.
Beautiful, David. Beautiful.
You’re very kind, Lucy ❤
Writing magnetic poems and alphabetizing them seems akin to playing scales on the piano (torture)….but the tanka you wrote is lovely and amazing! 🙂 All the best, David!
Thanks, Cheryl 🙂
Why is playing scales on a piano torture? I don’t know the first thing about that.
Yours,
David
Scales are an exercise designed to improve fingering on the piano keyboard. They are played up and back down in all the different keys. For example, the key of “C” uses only white keys starting with “middle C”: C, D E, F, G, A, B, C, B, A, G, F, E, D, C. Other keys use one or more of the black keys… the sharps and flats. The object is to play faster and faster. Monotonous and tiring! Thankfully, my teachers never required me to do them. 🙂
Ten years of lessons were somewhat wasted on me with my limited talent. I used to play in church sometimes and was a soloist in the choir, but I haven’t played in years. The last time I practiced was to play Christmas carols on my keyboard as a Christmas present to my mother a couple of years before she died. It was worth the effort because it made her happy.
Cheryl. that’s interesting… thanks for explaining.
This is not how I would describe doing an alphabet poem ~ I found it very engaging, actually!
❤
David
Your limitless talent is always appreciated. Great poem.
LOL. Lauren, you are SO sweet; but I promise you that I am profoundly limited in more ways than I am even aware of.
-David
Ah, but a true genius know what they do not know.
In my case, that would just about everything… but thank you so much for your compliment and regard, Lauren ❤ ❤ ❤
Yours,
David
You are welcome David. I enjoy your poetry and the skill with which you successfully tackle a myriad of styles.
I love how that sounds: in joyless kiss lingering / marble nights’ old prisoner. Those magnetic words really like you, mate. And you know how to make them dance. Or weep.
Thanks as always, my friend. You know, whenever I load the magnet page, I always feel a mix of – what on earth do any of these words actually mean, and isn’t this a stupid exercise? and hmn… I do so wonder what will come of this crazy exercise this time around! How interesting!
You performed magic with the magnetic words! Great result!!!
Muri, I truly appreciate your kind support.
Thank you very much.
-David
Excellent, David. Love this one.
Thanks so much, Jeff 💖
You’re very welcome, David. Is my complete pleasure. Have a lovely rest of your week. ❤️
marble nights…that conjures many images (K)
Kerfe,
In all honesty, I don’t think that idea would have come to me if I hadn’t seen so much of your artwork. ‘Marble nights’ was our child.
❤
David
Now you’re making me smile again. Thanks David.
And I distinctly remember you saying you were never going to write another alphabet poem 😉
Well, this is slightly different. But… yeah… I know, I know.