FIRE VI

Gosh, and I thought I was done with the fire poems, but then these came in the night and wouldn't let me sleep.  So here are a few more. 

Fire is the wish
on your
birthday cake.

Fire marches
up hills, on picnics
in a little red ant.

Fire ablaze
in the trees
during autumn.

Fire is a prayer
said over
lit candles.

Fire is a secret
held inside
of a match.

    I'm not sure I like the "Fire is" format because that "is" is a dead verb--it doesn't show any action.  But I do like the idea of fire being a wish or a secret.  Now, can you understand how this FIRE kept me awake playing with words?  It is your turn.  Can you write a simple three line poem (a triplet) about a noun you like?  Have fun writing and you can leave your poem in the comments below if you want to share.

  A variation of two of these verses can be seen over at my friend David Harrison's blog.  He has a feature called Word of the Month poems (for adult and youth poets).  He provides a word and challenges poets to write a poem using his word.  The word for this month is CANDLE. 

Two Jack-o-lanterns

Two Jack-o-lanterns
on a window sill.
One named Mark.
One named Bill

Put a candle in them.
Light up their eyes.
Smiling jack-o-lanterns.
Two happy guys.

The candles dimmed.
Jack-o-lanterns in the dark.
Burned out Bill.
Burned out Mark.

Light another candle.
Leave it on the sill.
Happy Mark.
Happy Bill.

This is an action rhyme.  Can you figure out the actions (hand gestures) to go with this poem?  Now it is your turn, can you write an action rhyme today?  Have fun.

Desert Ocotillo

Ocotillos bloom
in spires of red, hot pokers
your birthday candles
everywhere the flames burning
too quickly they are blown out


      This poem is a tanka.  I haven't written many tankas so I did have to go back to one of my form books to check that I had done the syllables correctly.  Tankas were made popular by Chinese courtesans who published books of tanka written to their sponsor.  Those books are some of the first poetry books published of poetry by women.  The tanka has 31 syllables, five lines long in a 5, 7, 5, 7, 7 pattern.  It is like a haiku 5-7-5, with two extra 7 syllable lines.  Also, these poems encouraged the use of reference to the lover or sponsor.

    Your challenge for today is to try writing your own tanka.  Have fun.

     And here is a thought, if you get stumped in writing.

"The poet doesn't invent.  He listens."    Jean Cocteau

Happy Hanukkah

On the first night of Hanukkah
we light one candle.
A Festival of Lights
we kindle the Menorah.
May we be a light to shine for others.
May we be a beacon
of love and good cheer.
May we keep the spirit
of Hanukkah burning
in our hearts
all year.

     I can't believe I've written a poem for Hanukkah.  I'm not Jewish, but I've attended the candle lighting ceremony in the homes of Jewish friends.  This is an occasional poem.  It was written for the occasion of the first night of Hanukkah.  If you'd like to write your own Hanukkah poem, you're very welcome to leave it in the comments.  Now I'm going to have to try writing a Kwanza poem too.
Have a great weekend.