A Choka
ground temperature at depths greater than ten feet stays relatively constant through the course of time please bury me deep in Earth's comfortable bosom a warm welcoming spa-like decomposition muscles loosening lying horizontally limbs and back at rest and still mine to enjoy finally
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 #164
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 โwarmโ 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 
Comforting.
๐๐๐ป Molly ๐๐ป๐
The warmth of decomposition is something I understand but rarely think about – love the way this is used!!
๐๐๐ป Muri ๐๐ป๐
This is a lovely contemplation, really. I found it soothing . . . very nice
๐๐๐ป Angela, thank you ๐๐ป๐
~David
Wow this is deep in more ways than one ๐
๐ค๐๐ป Ange ๐๐ป๐ค
Is death the only way to really belong to oneself? Your words made me wonderโฆDeep and sad, David.
hmmn… I hadn’t thought of it that way, Terveen, but that’s interesting. I would think that it varies from person to person…
for sure your earth will be warm David but please not yet
“Earth’s comfortable bosom” – something to keep in mind when the angel passes over!
๐๐๐ป Laura ๐๐ป๐ ~ thanks (and don’t worry!)
An unusual look at burial, David, which you make very compelling in the lines โdeep / in Earth’s comfortable bosom / a warm welcoming / spa-like decompositionโ.
๐๐๐ป Kim ๐๐ป๐
There is something very warm and inviting about this earthly poem David!
๐
โin Earthโs comfortable bosom
a warm welcoming
spa-like decompositionโ
๐ค๐๐ป Cindy ๐๐ป๐ค
โค๏ธ๐ฅฐ
What a beautiful sentiment. ๐Intellectual side merges with emotional side to make a sound decision. The form is one Iโd also enjoy warming to.
๐ค๐๐ป KK ๐๐ป๐ค
Your soul and spirit will be comfortablely at rest in one of the mansions your creator has prepared for you long before your earthly will is realised.
๐๐๐ป Abi ๐๐ป๐
Spa like decomposition…I’m almost looking forward ๐
๐๐๐ป Sangeetha ๐๐ป๐
lying horizontally
limbs and back at rest and still
mine to enjoy finally
A wonderful feeling to relax and reflect prone on our backs on what joys are there accorded by Providence’s choice. Great write David!
Hank
๐ ๐๐ป Hank ๐๐ป ๐