Catching Up in the Garden

I have missed several challenges. I am trying to play catch up. The first was to write a poem about flowers, without using cliches. When I think of flowers, I think of the obvious: sweet, perfume, their beauty and how they offer lingering hope.  There were two challenge at the Imaginary Garden I wanted to try. I'm late, yes I had a very important date, but it is now time to catch up ;D.



Stars will blossom in the darkness, Violets bloom beneath the snow.”  
                                                                                                                 ~Julia C.R. Dorr
                                                                                                       
Snow’s pledge is fragile
eyes of gold nodding in day’s ease
violet sunset reflects a symphony of verdant hope
a pledge of eternal promise
ushered in by a clay colored robin’s first solo


This photos is one of many in my Etsy store; I hope to list more items soon.



We also were asked to write a tanaga,  a short poem originating from the Philippines. It is similar in nature to the Japanese short forms of haiku or tanka.     


The form goes like this:

XXXXXXA
XXXXXXA
XXXXXXB
XXXXXXB


All lines  have 7 syllables, 4 lines first 2 rhyme and last 2 rhyme.
Here is my take on the Tanaga:




 

Grayfulness swirls in a bone china cup
Citrus charm, from a Lord drink up
Black tea’s magic steeped oil 
Bergamot grows as one toils


I checked the syllable count here.

I remember the first time I tasted Earl Grey tea, yuck!  I wondered why any one would think swamp water tasted good.   Later, my friend Rikkie, she is from Japan, offered me some iced tea made with Earl Grey tea.  I liked her version.  I remember reading how the herb, Bergamot had a citrus like taste and is a calming herb. I bought another brand and liked it. I now love Earl Grey tea~

Poets United prompt  #81 this week is Good-byes. There are so many ways to spin this. I have said, good-bye, so many times. Being in a military family makes for an unique lifestyle.  Sometimes I have been ready to say good-bye and move on(Alaska and all that snow) and other times struggled with it.

I chose to write about my husband being away at sea. Our only constant was counting days down to his arrival back on shore.  I remember how amazed he was at seeing everything so green, when he drove home in April. It reminded me of a song my Dad use to play on the guitar, "The Green, green grass of Home".  My husband's view had been steel gray, endless blue skies, clouds, and the sea.  They pull in to port a few times, but we all know, "there is no place like home".





Hinged wagon wheel
set in earth’s dust
Spokes strong, stable
waiting against the shimmering rose
she waits in the moonlight
Center, echoes my heart
Empty vessel wide open like a forgotten window
Holding the heavens
Waiting for lightening to return
hum of electricity awakens me
ailment’s cure will arrive
once calendar turns
date circled in red
waves of tears
part heaven n’ hell
homecoming
feet on heart’s green path
 moral compass
remains constant

I know my poem is about both good-bye and hello.  He hasn't gone out to sea in awhile. Now, he flies to the west coast for the Navy, still saying good-bye~

Comments

An excellent post Ella enjoyed every last word.
Have a great week-end.

Yvonne.
Great poem, Ella, I enjoyed reading it - and thank you so much for visiting my blog and reading my poem, "Tears Raining on the Waves". It was much appreciated. ~ Julie :)
As a military brat, with my father gone many times during Vietnam, I understand how you feel during those times.
Kay L. Davies said…
I enjoyed your tea tanaga, Ella. Made me smile.
"Empty vessel wide open like a forgotten window" made me sad.
Both very well done. Good work!
K
Mary said…
Ella, your words always move me. I know sometimes I get behind with prompts as well. Sometimes life gets in the way. I always feel compelled to apologize, but then again life is life. It must have been really hard when your husband was so long at sea. Thank him for me. And thank YOU from me. And keep writing for us all.
Sherry Blue Sky said…
Wonderful, Ellie. I always love your posts and snippets of your life. Will your husband be gone long this time, or is it a fast trip?

Hey - you can keep everything on the table - whu-hoo! hee hee.
Abhishek said…
Well .. they are some really nice poems!! Happy to go though them ..

We are organizing a prompt based writing contest with loads of gifts.
Kindly drop in to enter the same at Another Author
Kerry O'Connor said…
Hi Ella, This has been a treat today.
Firstly, let me say how much I love the flower poem. Your photo is nothing short of art and each word is precision perfect. I love the clay colored robin, and each color of the flower: snow, eyes of gold and violet sunset.

Then your tanaga offers us 'greyfulness' - what an original word pack with implications.

Brilliant work.
rch said…
Now that's what I call catching up! Great work, love the first one about flowers, keep shunning those cliches.
DEZMOND said…
eyes of gold, I like that line, Ella!
Olive Tree said…
a lot of things going on in this post, and my attention was caught on the poetry form Tanaga. I should give it a try sometimes. Thank you for sharing that. Lovely poems you have here.
kaykuala said…
Great posting combi! You spread it out very well. Your tanaga is an eye opener!

Hank
Laurie Kolp said…
I'd been wondering where you were. I enjoyed all three, Ella. I feel especially pulled to the third poem. My husband is a former Marine and he was stationed on an aircraft carrier for months. Thank goodness it was years ago before we were married. Many blessings to you!!
Dorthe said…
Dear Ella, I love your poem about Goodbye and hello- and I know the feelings behind--I have myself been merried to a man traveling away on work-for years.You deschribes it beautifully.The photo is amazing, and your Tanaga poem so great and sweet.
Happy sunday to you-
xx Dorthe
LTM said…
your poetry is so beautiful! As is that lovely picture of the violets. And I found the thought of them blooming under the snow to be just magical. :o) Thanks! <3
Ella said…
Leigh-Thank you so much~ It is an intriguing thought isn't it!
Thanks for visiting me :D <3

Dorthe-You definitely know this feeling! Happy Tuesday to you~
I look forward to seeing your dolls! (((hugs)))

Laurie-Ah, you have walked in this world. It is not an easy path to travel~ Blessing to you~

Hank-Thank you, it was fun! I might try this form again :D

Olive Tree-Yes, give it a go and let me know. I would love to read it :D

Dezzy-Yes, soon there will be more gold in Hollywood, okay sort of...lol! I need my spy fix, I'll be by soon~

rch-Thank you! It makes you think how easy it is to say cliches~
:D

Kerry-Thank you; I enjoyed catching up! Thanks so much for stopping by~ I have missed the garden! I still have some prompts I want to try~ :D Thanks for all you do!


Abhishek Boinapalli-Thank you; I will stop by :D Nice to meet you~

Sherry-You crack me up! No, he isn't going anywhere right now! When he does I have an art binge... ;D

Mary-Thank you, it isn't what I planned, but that too is life! We have moved more than most. I will, you are kind to say so :D

Kay-Thank you; I will be by~
I fell in the garage and messed up my back. I reached for something and fell, it was stupid. I have been on pain meds since Sunday night. I'm a walking zombie...hope life is going well, for you and your kitchen ;D

Alex-Yes, you would! It is a different life~ Where did you live the longest?! My son has dealt with a lot of changes. He was fortunate to start high school here(NC) and know the kids he graduated with. He is more likely to go with the flow, than most his age.

Julie-I'm so glad you joined in at Poets United! It is nice to meet you~ I like your voice :D

Yvonne-I hope you had a lovely weekend~ I'll be by soon :D
Unknown said…
Beautiful poetry as always. My day is brighter every time I come here. I just started a new assignment and the view I have is out of this world. 28 floors up and overlookng Lake Michigan.
Ella said…
Melissa-Thank you :D
Your assignment sounds intriguing and what a view!
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