Kerry's Challenge

Kerry of RT(Real Toads) prompted us to write a Tetractys, which has a syllable count of 20, arranged 1, 2, 3, 4 (adding up to 10) and 10.  
 
Tetractys, a poetic form invented by Ray Stebbing, consists of at least 5 lines of 1, 2, 3, 4, 10 syllables (total of 20). Tetractys can be written with more than one verse, but must follow suit with an inverted syllable count. Double Tetractys: 1, 2, 3, 4, 10, 10, 4, 3, 2, 1. Triple Tetractys: 1, 2, 3, 4, 10, 10, 4, 3, 2, 1, 1, 2, 3, 4, 10 and so on.


My photo of whole wheat toast with Sugar Free Orange Marmalade


     When I was a kid, I didn't like Orange Marmalade, it was too bitter for me.  My Nannie Nonnie and Mother both loved it. Today I appreciate it, when I put it on my toast with a pat of butter. The butter soaks in with the orange and it tastes like I'm eating sunshine, especially with the right cup of tea



                      

Joy
fetched
open supply
sun-drenched day 
one bite transforms chases one's chill away

     
hot, haze harvest highlights one's favorite
turn back your clock
morning shine
greets one's
day
 


                    Jars                     
                      of sun
                   distant heat
                  distilled day
      fleeting memories on a cold dreary day






I had to try another one. They are kind of fun, once you get use to it. Here is one in single form.









Joy's
freedom
time's ticket
windswept pages
among the ink grey pearls rain as blue waves call




and here is my version of a double one:



Oysterby ~mackdj



light
scatters 
shy oysters
among pearl clouds
melon gold filters on cradled voyage


like phantoms hidden they wait as time shifts
rocked in rain
modest find
pure light's
truth











 



Comments

Ella said…
Blogger, why do you appear fine when I edit. Then I post and there is a issue with alignment....??!!!
Johanna Garth said…
Your picture of marmalade sucked me right in and the words didn't hurt either!
Helen said…
It is definitely time for MY breakfast ... coffee for me please? Nice writing, no matter the alignment.
You really got into the flow of those! And flow is the best way to describe all of the poems.
Wonderful Ella, I get the same problem.

Yvonne.
Kerry O'Connor said…
These are glorious, Ella. I loved the ones inspired by the sea!
Mary Ann Potter said…
I LOVED these!!! This form suited you so well. I am impressed!
LTM said…
I wrote down a quote over the weekend that goes like this: Poetry is the best words arranged in the best order.

Yes? I think you've done it. And I'm always amazed by your talent.

Orange marmalade... :d <3 xoxo
Mary said…
You really mastered the form, Ella. I didn't have time to give the form a try this time; but yours were wonderful. I think I will have some marmalade,please!
PattiKen said…
I like these a lot. I can't pick a favorite. The marmalade one is yummy, and made me want some. The sea and oyster one is elegant. Great pictures too. Good job.
Anonymous said…
i SO enjoyed reading your words ~ the poems themselves are wonderful! ~ but i also loved you sharing your pleasure in experimenting with a new form. JOY!

thank you, Ella!

L. Diane Wolfe said…
The first one is beautiful.

In our house, orange marmalade is a treat.
Sherry Blue Sky said…
Beautifully done. I was too busy and tired to even try one and you have offered us a feast of so many. And I now crave marmalade.
Lolamouse said…
Yum! I love the one about the toast and marmalade! I could feel it and taste it as I read!

Blogger is a little bugger sometimes! When it won't behave for me, I go back to the HTML and edit from there. Sometimes there are strange things in the code that make it look weird when you publish it. Don't know how they get there-Blogger gremlins is my guess!
Carrie Van Horn said…
You have made me ready for lunch Ella.....always a joy to pop by your blog! :-)
Ella said…
Carrie-Thank you! You made my day~
I will pop by your blog, soon~ :D

Lolamouse-Thank you, I love that you say that :D Thanks for the tip~

Sherry-Sorry, I did that...and now today I torture you with a foodie poem...oops! Forgive me... :D

L.Diane-How sweet that is! Thank you for stopping by :D

haikulovesongs-Thank you! So sweet of you to say this! It is fun to try new things! Thank you for your kindness :D

PattiKen-Thank you, can't take credit for all the pics, though.
I love the sea, so that one tugged at my heart strings~ :D

Mary-Yes, here you go...lol I wish I could pass you some! How fun that would be to meet~ Thank you so much! :D

Leigh-You are so sweet! I have to keep trying and experimenting. Writing is so addictive...it is a gateway to so many new worlds! Thank you~ <3 555

Mary Ann-Thank you! I'll be by...I always look forward to what you have been up to! ;D I love your art~

Kerry-Thank you! Yes, it is one of my favorite haunting grounds ;D

Yvonne-Good to know we aren't alone in the blogging gremlin attack! Crazy isn't it! Thank you :D

Alex-Thank you! I'll be by soon...I hope the writing is going well! :D

Helen-Thank you! I'd pass you some Marmalade if I could ;D

Johanna-;D Thank you! It is fun to try this approach!
Hi Ella .. that's a great set of tetracyts .. love this poetic form .. very clever of you .. and a piece of toast and marmalade .. that's me done for the day.

Interesting to try - I shall do it secretly! Cheers Hilary
Ella said…
Hilary-You are so cute...I would love to read it, if you dare :D
Yes, and let's do have tea ;D
Cheers!