Written for B&P’s Shadorma & Beyond – Didactic Poem. The didactic poem carries a lesson of some sort. As it is characterised by its content, it is thus not restricted by its form. Therefore I chose to write a Shadorma (a poetic form consisting of a six-line stanza (or sestet). The form is alleged to have originated in Spain. The syllable count for each stanza is 3/5/3/3/7/5).
I remain seemingly alone, unassuming, on a fringe lush and tender. Day-by-day cars whizz me by; as strangers we remain. The world of smiles and laughter, youthful chatter, bouncing life – like Eagles flying, unstoppable, dynamic – and life passes me by. Children take hold of my branches bare, lifting themselves to greater heights. Older folk, picking the wildest of greens, lean on my trunk taking yet one more breath. Those in between, by my side rest, in the shade of my leaves, seeking respite from the tyranny of dreams. And I dream to be like them, to walk and run and fly.
dare I take a step?
roots hold me fast to the earth –
for I was made a tree
Sometimes we are disabled, whether it by by illness, unfulfilled dreams or factors beyond our control. It is hard to watch while the rest of the world gets on with it seemingly happy, successful and fulfilled. Yet even then we have something to offer. The fruit of such suffering, like the humble earth, holds and nurtures all that settles on it often giving birth to new life where there was none.
The photo was taken by a dear friend of mine outside the village of Sellas in the Peloponnese (Greece), many thanks for the inspiration 🙂
When I first saw this image two thoughts came to mind – fire and simplicity. My Tanaga reflects my personal experience of simplicity in my life as well as in the life of others. This experience has shown me that although simplicity may initially appear to be laborious and stale (indeed, often it is!) – those who have acquired genuine simplicity have a depth of humility, which serves not to debase themselves but rather to lift up the other. These people are a source of inspiration for me as they serve as a wellspring of love, patience and hope to those around them who have yet to be released from the complexities of this life.
Interestingly, I found an analysis of this painting by Van Gogh which highlights both the simplicity and complexity of the painting.
“New friends, like one’s best coat and patent-leather boots, are only intended for holiday wear. At other times they are neither serviceable nor comfortable; they do not answer the required purposes, are ill adapted to give us the ease we seek. A new coat, however, has this advantage, that in time it will become old and comfortable; so much can by no means be predicted with certainty of a new friend.”
Written for Heeding Haiku With HA: Friendship. My best friendships started a little clunky, but now our they have acquired the familiarity of an old coat – we fit just right. Oh, the putty bit refers to the fact that, although it may appear to be a minor detail at times, it fills and adds to the final product.
For Photo Challenge #61: Red. When I first saw this photo it reminded me of the scene of the little girl in the red dress from ‘Schindler’s List’. This made me think of the painful history of my own people, particularly the destruction of Smyrna and the Pontian Genocide. My thoughts end with the indigenous people of my land, Australia, who are still struggling…
I couldn’t find an ending for the poem. I’m not happy with the way it ends, as if it is in mid-sentence; but in a way that’s exactly where we are.
I run from the quiet
impressing hopes and dreams
onto an old worn-out passport.
Sure plans made of ink
they sign my life away
to no place in particular,
whilst young pitter-patter feet,
for greatness, will not, nor hope;
yet they awake on silence
