A shadorma
Papa died unexpectedly several hours after reaching the emergency room on a Saturday
Crushing waves; turbulent mood swings; treacherous reflections still pound my soul // spill over into word-torrents
Shadorma?
- a six-line stanza (or sestet);
- each stanza has a syllable count of three in the 1st line, five in the 2nd, three in the 3rd and 4th, seven in the 5th, and five in the 6th (3/5/3/3/7/5) for a total of 26;
- a poem may consist an unlimited number of stanzas.
#TankaTuesday
The above shadorma was written for Colleen M. Chesebro’s ‘Tanka Tuesday’ prompt: Poets were prompted to write syllabic poems based on the theme of ‘beginnings and endings’.
Let’s write poetry together!

When it comes to partnership, some humans can make their lives alone – it’s possible. But creatively, it’s more like painting: you can’t just use the same colours in every painting. It’s just not an option. You can’t take the same photograph every time and live with art forms with no differences.
–Ben Harper (b. 1969)
Would you like to create poetry with me and have a completed poem of yours featured here at the Skeptic’s Kaddish? I am very excited to have launched the ‘Poetry Partners’ initiative and am looking forward to meeting and creating with you… Check it out!
This reminds me of the loss of my own father. Into the hospital and then just days later…
Some folks think they can cut meds in half, or don’t listen to their own bodies.
Though some disease or illness can manifest suddenly without regard of how well one takes care of themselves.
May all your memories be for blessings. (((Hugs)))
❤ Jules ❤ ~ thanks. I'm sorry for your loss. Have you written any poems about his passing?
-David
Thank you.
I’ve written many.
He passed over 10 years ago.
But then I’ve written much about death as I have no grandparents living now. and many older relatives, and some younger ones have also ‘gone’.
A wonderful response to the theme David.. Grief has many faces… ♥
💟 thanks, Sally 💟
[…] David: Skeptic’s Kaddish […]
😻
That was heart-wrenching and beautiful, David! I love your take on this week’s theme. 🙂
❤ 💔 Yvette ❤ 💔 ~ thank you!
You have a way with grief. You speak it strong and alive. You honor your loss and us with your words.
💘 thanks, Janis 💘
❤️
💞 Thanks, Ruth 💞
~David
Simple and poignant.
Coincidentally, I am going to teach a group of writers the shadorma on Friday morning.
🤘 You go, Linda 🤘