A Choka
can't blame the agent station's hummin' right as rain can't blame the porter jus' followin' instructions can't blame the switchman he's professional as they come can't blame the driver timely, uneventful ride gotta blame myself shoulda checked the track number shoulda noticed the sunset
Choka?
The most intricate Japanese Poetry form is the Choka, or Long Poem. The early form consisted of a series of katauta joined together. This gives a choice of form structures of 5/7/5/5/7/7โฆ etc., or: 5/7/7/5/7โฆ etc.
The Choka could be any total line length and indeed many exceeded 100 lines. Looking at this, it is easy to see why Poetic Historians believe the katauta is the original basic unit of Japanese poetry using either the 17 or 19 unit onji.
d’Verse Quadrille #161
The above choka is my take on dโVerseโs Quadrille challenge.
The Quadrille is simply a poem of 44 words (excluding the title), and it can take any form. This weekโs challenge was to use the word โtrackโ in a Quadrille.
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!
The Skeptic's Kaddish ๐ฎ๐ฑ 
We can so easily get distracted by our daydreaming David, Iโve been there before unfortunately. Wonderful tale here my friend, thank you.๐โ๐ผโค๏ธ
๐ค๐๐ป Rob ๐๐ป๐ค
I love this on so many levels! ‘Tis all those levels that make this a masterpiece. Wonderful Quadrille, David.
๐๐๐ป Susan ๐๐ป๐
Yes, we can, indeed, blame ourselves for most mishaps that occur in our lives.
You are consistently educating me and others on unique forms of poetry. Thank you.
๐๐๐ป Brandon ๐๐ป๐
this is fantastic! I loved it! โค
โค Carol Anne โค ~ thank you so much!
~David
Beautiful picture
๐๐๐ป Bridget ๐๐ป๐
sunsets distract us all. great read
๐ค๐๐ป Roger ๐๐ป๐ค
Luv the twist to a point of view at the end. Nice one!
Muchโคlove
๐ Gillena ๐ ~ thank you!
Yeah, I once unknowingly arrived half-an-hour late for my train, waited another half-hour (assuming my train was late) and rode for about an hour before the conductor set me straight. Great write; Thanks.
๐๐๐ป Ron ๐๐๐ป ~ that’s such a bummer!
Where was your mind wandering! ๐คญ
๐ ๐ค Punam ๐ค ๐
Ooops! I hope this isn’t a real experience, David.
Thank you for your poem!
๐๐๐ป Merril ๐๐ป๐
I have to say I agree… and I have been there and done that… wrong airport for instance.
๐๐๐ป Bjรถrn ๐๐ป๐
Hehe! I was supposed to drive east. It didn’t penetrate my distracted mind that the setting sun was in my eyes until I started looking for my sunglasses. Then I was looking for an off ramp!! On a train – well that is a pickle!
๐๐คญ Muri ๐คญ๐