Opportunity, or: Onus

A haibun Last week, unexpectedly, I had the privilege of participating in a two-day public speaking training. The workshop was intended for a limited number of fundraising employees who directly interact with donors, which definitely does not include the writing team. However, as one of my colleagues was unable to participate due to unfortunate health… Continue reading Opportunity, or: Onus

Breathe deeply, or: Better self

A 'Waltz Wave' in moments of upset, I remind myself to reach up with my mind's hand for the bright halo ~ my better self; and breathe steadily as I stretch up to it What do you see #179 For WDYS #179, Sadje offers us this computer-generated image by Axel Ruffini (Unsplash) of a multicolored… Continue reading Breathe deeply, or: Better self

The Xtraverse, or: Creativity forms verses

Sangeetha & David's new poetry project Once upon a time, two poets who'd never met in person began writing verses back and forth over the Internet. Their first project took them some nine months: a 100 verse Hyakuin. Once they'd completed their first oeuvre, they continued their journey together; Sangeetha came up with a fun… Continue reading The Xtraverse, or: Creativity forms verses

REBLOG: ‘Fears of Freedom Lost’ by Nigel Byng

Poem: With labored breaths she welcomes more The tired, the poor, the wretched to our shores But rusted chains now dangle from her torch The masses on the border won’t be allowed to cross Gun powder greetings, It’s ours not yours, the illusion is fleeting. Armed men on horseback deliver a chastening The people cried… Continue reading REBLOG: ‘Fears of Freedom Lost’ by Nigel Byng

B, or: Ing

An American sentence: A girl in an apartment full of toys and books complains of boredom. Image credit: Greg Westfall What's an 'American Sentence'? Allen Ginsberg, inventor of the American Sentence, felt that the haiku didn’t work as well in English. Ginsberg decided to remove the line structure of the haiku, maintaining the requirement of… Continue reading B, or: Ing

Masha Moskaleva, or: Her father

A 'Septolet' Twelve-year-old Russian Masha draws a pro-Ukrainian picture. She's taken away. Her father faces prison. Source: BBC Septolet? The Septolet is a poem consisting of seven lines containing fourteen words with a break anywhere in between the two parts. Both parts deal with the same thought and create a picture.

Am, Are, or: Always

no doors in walls to Keep out fear just: Look and See, but no walls there... once structures, now Convulsing lines there's Is, there's Was, less timeless rhymes no what, no I, but only Am Am Flail for textures; Whisper, "damn..." unbearable, Am's Feels Are Galled Walled in, Crawling, no space at all! nouns swiftly… Continue reading Am, Are, or: Always

Promises, or: Lies

A Pantoum I abandon faith in non-sense; I see no hint of divine justice; I've lost my patience for pretense; Reject all groups that bid: "Trust us..." I see no hint of divine justice; Though hope's reassurance tempts me; Reject all groups that bid: "Trust us..." Untestable promises ring empty Though hope's reassurance tempts me,… Continue reading Promises, or: Lies