I love this photo by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. When crystals form on my window, I find my magnifying glass and study them, amazed at the unique design of each. This time of year, I love the anticipation of winter. But, ask me about it again in February.
This week, I wrote a tanka. It is similar to a haiku, but slightly longer, with a 5-7-5-7-7- form. For a variety of great flash fiction shorts, click here.
And feel free to leave a link to your story in your comments!
copyright Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
I am totally stuck on this prompt. No ides at all. But maybe because I’m trying to concentrate on NaNoWriMo, which seems to be getting the better of me. Love the combination of your tanka with the photo. It works beautifully
I admire you for doing NaNoWriMo, Paul. Go, go, go with your word count, and we’ll look for you again in December. 🙂
Beatiful…i agree with you on this photo, and i am so glad you did a tanka…there is just something about the image that scream poems. Nicely done
I agree, boomiebol. It screamed poetry to me, too. 🙂
Lovely.
Thanks, Janet. I thought the photo was lovely, too.
What a gorgeous haiku, Jan. It brings me back to childhood days, standing in the sun room in Minnesota as winter set in. (Ironically, my high school had an ice princess fest. ;))
I’m so glad Mike Miller directed me here, and to you.
Thank you, August! This photo demanded a haiku of me. Sometimes I find haiku easier than writing 100 words. Thank you also for following my blog! I’m glad Mike put us in touch, too!
Beautiful, Jan. I’m not that familiar with this form, but I like what you did with it.
Thank you, Russell. Being a newly-exposed poet, perhaps you should become accustomed to tanka forms. 🙂
Hi Jan,
“Blows a brisk breath,” great phrasing. Isn’t it about time for you to put out a book of your poetry? Ron
Thank you, Ron. I’m actually putting together a book of my haiku and tanka. It will definitely be on Kindle, and maybe I’ll have a hard copy edition, too. Glad you like them!
Lovely tanka, Jan. I love your idea of using a magnifying glass. We had crystal sleet freezing on my window two days ago thanks to our 1-day Nor’easter. My cat was fascinated. Next time, I will look thru my magnifying glass as well. Tks for the tip.
It’s amazing what you can see with the magnifying glass. Hope things are settling down and getting back to normal for you.
Dear Jan,
I love where your winter wind takes us.
Aloha,
Doug
Thank you, Doug. I loved where your “Golden Turd” took me, too. Never before have I seen such an educated discussion centered around a turd. 🙂
That was nice, Jan. I was not familiar with a Tanka. Now I am.
Now that you’re familiar with tanka, Ted, I’ll watch for one. 🙂
Very lovely take on my office window. I love it that our titles are similar yet our takes diverse.
Thanks, Rochelle. And thank you for a thought-provoking prompt. That’s what I love about the Fictioneers — the variety of stories on the same prompt. You’re doing a great job!
Lovely tanka, I have a lot of respect for that poetry. Tried a little myself, and I think poetry would fit the prompt very well. Lovely.
Thank you, Bjorn. You’ve written several beautiful haiku on your blog!
If you like snowflakes, check out Kenneth Libbrecht. He captures them with microphotography. Beautiful. Your tanka makes me nostalgic for the truly snowy winters I experienced in Utah and Colorado.
Wow, Keli. His photographs are awesome. Now, I can’t wait to get out my magnifying glass again. 🙂
Reblogged this on Life: Haiku by Haiku and commented:
I wrote this tanka (5-7-5-7-7) as a flash fiction for this photo prompt.
Really nice. I don’t do poetry cus I stink at it. But I love reading it. 🙂
The only poetry I can do is haiku or tanka. You should give it a try!
I don’t do poetry either, but I admire those who can. Good job.
Thank you, Shirley!
Jan,
A lovely tanka… This photo prompt screams poetry for sure.
Tom
Ha! It definitely screamed at me. 🙂 Thanks, Tom!
Interesting that you say the only poetry you can do is/are haiku and tanka. May I be so bold as to ask where you received your “training,” “inspiration,” etc. Do you have any favorite haiku poets? Have you submitted to Modern Haiku or joined the Haiku Society? I am also a haiku/senryu/tanka/cinquain poet.