An ‘Arkquain Swirl’
white
trimmings
bright against
snowy landscape;
sumptuously clad
graceful Lady of the Snows;
understated coy smile knows
she's untouchable;
floral fur-trimmed
cape and muff
offset
her
scarlet
beribboned
brimmed fancy hat;
watery wintry
wastes draw away to allow
her between bent laden boughs
as she floats through them;
blood circulates
close to the
surface
of
refined
fine cheekbones
flushed like red dress;
heavy horizons
welcome home native daughter;
untouched by weight of waters
she absorbs the scene;
knowing pools dark
unblinking
take it
in
Twiglets #309
#TankaTuesday
For Tanka Tuesday today, Colleen Chesebro offers an ekphrastic challenge, encouraging writers to compose syllabic poems inspired by George Henry Boughton’s ‘The Lady of the Snows’ paint (to the right).
I decided, once again, to write an ‘Arkquain Swirl’ poem.
Last time, I entirely forgot (ack!) that this form requires every pair of seven-syllable lines to rhyme; but this time I was careful to follow the rules!
Arkquain Swirl?
- Syllabic (34 lines): 1234 ~ 5775 ~ 4321234 ~ 5775 ~ 4321234 ~ 5775 ~ 4321;
- Every pair of seven-syllable lines rhyme
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 
I really enjoyed this David ๐
๐๐๐ป Willow ๐๐ป๐ ~ I’m so glad!
“untouched by weight of waters
she absorbs the scene”…….. lovely!
๐๐๐ป Debi ๐๐ป๐ ~ thank you!
โค particularly love the ending David โค
๐ค๐๐ป Ange ๐๐ป๐ค ~ thanks so much!
The perfect form to capture snow. She does look like she draws everything surrounding her into her orbit. (K)
โค๏ธ๐๐ป Kerfe ๐๐ปโค๏ธ ~ thank you
I enjoyed the alliteration that you snuck in – it was wonderful to read aloud!!
๐๐๐ป Muri ๐๐ป๐ ~ thanks!
Beautiful ๐๐ซ
๐๐๐ป D. A. ๐๐ป๐ ~ thanks!
That was a very fitting and love poem – absolutely loved the form and wording!โจ
๐๐๐ป Deepthy ๐๐ป๐ ~ thanks!
Understated, YES!! I feel is the purest- honesty expressed….excellent
And without investigating, I believed you nailed the form.
Pray for us this side of the globe.
We will be without power, that means no electricity till tomorrow morning. Besides it is scorching hot.
You need to have extraordinary beauty to live up to the words expressed here, as a lady of course, living in this blistering heat.
9% battery I managed to scrounge from a idling car….
Hahaha, I’m such a hustler.
Goodnight
Have yourselves a perfect night
In winter wonderland
๐ฑ Abi ๐ฑ ~ oy vey! I’m so sorry; that is terrible!
Yes, thanks David, it is actually criminal. Two major cables, failed at the same time. They are digging now to sort out the problem
๐ฐ
๐ช๐ช
Stay strong ๐ช๐ป
Thank you. โบ I will.
I’m online, I’m online.
Prayer is a wonderful life
Thanks for your๐๐๐ผ๐๐
Give us another round of prayer please.
We just had another outage.
๐ข Abi ๐ข
We back on thanks David. Just hope it lasts for the night.
Graceful poem, enjoyed.
๐ค๐๐ป Christina ๐๐ป๐ค ~ thanks
~David
Took a whirl, with a swirl! Masterfully done.
๐๐๐ป Annette ๐๐ป๐
She absorbs the scene. Perfect.
๐๐๐ป Misky ๐๐ป๐ ~ thanks for the prompt ๐๐ป ๐
You did this beautifully. Those 7-syllable lines have great rhythm and rhyme. I love your words. XoXo
๐ค๐๐ป Selma ๐๐ป๐ค ~ thanks!