Ligo Haibun News

Most weeks of late, I have been taking part in the Ligo Haibun Challenge, where we are invited to write haibun, a Japanese writing form of prose interspersed or closing with haiku. It’s a very different form of writing, not to mention addictive!

I have been lucky enough to receive Honourable Mentions for two of my pieces now – quite different in voice (it’s not all about dystopia here!). I know how very good the other creations are – we all work hard at our craft! There is always something new to learn and read, and this form of writing does take me to unexpected places, I confess. So, thank you to Ese and Ye Pirate (not to mention Penny, who is there in the background) for mulling, reading, reviewing and discussing the pros and cons of all of our pieces. And thank you for my two awards! If you click on both of the badges, you can go directly to my pieces, if you haven’t read them already. If you would like to, of course… ๐Ÿ™‚

13664762551366476255

Isolation – dVerse Poetics

This week’s dVerse Poetics is asking us to look to the future and wax poetic on what we see there. I’m not sure if this fits the sci-fi that Bjorn would like to see, but I’m all about the dystopia, so this is what you’re getting! It’s partially inspired by the Silo series of books by Hugh Howey which I absolutely adore.

I hope you enjoy my creation – and please visit dVerse to read the other imaginings of my fellow poets!

– Isolation –

Trapped beneath the earthโ€™s crust

We only have the myths, encased in dusty pages

Of books never read

To help us imagine what Above

Is

We forgot to communicate

To breathe, to appreciate the wonders

Of days spent outside

In fresh clean air, with people we love โ€“

Loved

The young went first, weakened

Lungs not developed, muscles made frail

By atmosphere choked

With acid rain, fallout from fossil

Fuels

We dug deep, in souls and dirt

Racing hard, dropping the baton, running

To stand still whilst Nature

Wreaked her havoc, unleashing

Hounds

Of Hell, firestorms raging

As we closed the trapdoors above

Sealing our fate โ€“

We donโ€™t know when we will rise, or even

If

…Time passes so slowly here.

All Whipped Up – dVerse Meeting the Bar

Here’s my latest entry into the dVerse Meeting the Bar. This week, Gay is urging us to explore American Sentences, 17 syllables of deliciousness a little like haiku, but sentence-style and jazzed up, beat poetry style. Allen Ginsberg, anyone?

My selection are inspired by the sudden cold-snap we seem to be experiencing (I love a clear night sky with a bright, white moon!), plus a remembrance of the Great Storm of 2013 we were hit by a few weeks ago. Oh, and the sea, because that’s where I live!

*****

– All Whipped Up –

My beach is glorious in winter, few choose to brave the elements.

My cheeks, whipped raw by sand and spume, rosy testament to Nature’s gifts.

My waves suck and draw shingle, crush shells, shred seaweed, salt crusting old boots.

My shuttered shops, empty carousel, cacophony for eyes and ears.