Melissa’s prompt guidelines
- Compose a series of three tanka;
- Following are three “turn lines” or “pivots” (third lines) for each of three tanka, and you must construct the rest:
- Turn / Pivot for tanka #1: “I sit quietly”
- Turn / Pivot for tanka #2: “Left behind till spring”
- Turn / Pivot for tanka #3: “Wild geese preen feathers”
- These tanka are to be autumn/winter-themed;
- You may write each of your tanka in a single unbroken line of thirty-one syllables, or you may use the five-line 5/7/5/7/7 approach.
- Following are three “turn lines” or “pivots” (third lines) for each of three tanka, and you must construct the rest:
Tanka?
- Tanka consist of five lines, usually with the following syllabic pattern: 5-7-5-7-7;
- The third line of the tanka, which usually has 5 syllables, is called the “turn line” or the “pivot”.
Time Writing
Alone in my room
I feel power in my mind
I sit quietly
And remember what’s special
Living life to the fullest
The wind blows outside
The leaves turned brown, have fallen
Left behind till spring
The sun warms me through the glass
My mind continues to glow
A chill in the air
No eggs in the nest til spring
Wild geese preen feathers
Stripping off the ice cold
Words come from my mind in ink

I can see the view from your window. It is so well expressed.
Enjoyed your poem very much, Christine. 💓
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Thank you
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I like the way the warmth in your mind contrasts with the chill outside. (K)
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yes, that is pretty neat, huh? Didn’t notice really before you said so
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Beautifully composed 🙌
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Thank you
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The power of the mind, continues through the cold to fruition of a great poem
💞Suzanne
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I like how you tied writing into the seasons and really focused on your inner life during it all.🙏🏻❤️
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I just find it so surprising to see how a poem with a similar theme, like we do with these W3s, are so different from each other and also see the similarities. I think that inner life piece is almost what sets them all apart as so original.
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I agree. It is amazing seeing all the different takes on it and everyone’s individual creativity.🤗
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Well done, Christine. The mind of the Creator is always at work .even at play. 🙏💙
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❤️😊
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This is like the other side of the coin from mine, Christine ~ you have power in your mind, and my mind is stuck in a thick fog! 🙂
A lovely, lovely write!!
❤
David
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❤️❤️❤️
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Hi, Christine!
Just wanna let you know that this week’s W3, hosted by the lovely Jennifer Russo, is now live:
Enjoy ❤
Much love,
David
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Thanks for the reminder. I wasn’t feeling well so I didn’t get on here yesterday. I will be doing my catch-up. Hope all is well in your piece of the world!
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*hug*
well… other than the war? we’re pretty much okay (I’m not just being flip – it’s true)
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❤️
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So good Christine
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Thank you
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You’re most welcome
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Very nicely done!!
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Thank you
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