And so, another year of writing poetry with my fabulous sisters begins! I can't tell you how excited I am that we are continuing to write together. We've mapped out our plan for the year and at Liz's choosing, we are beginning with the somonka and the theme of love.
This is the point where I confess that I don't like love poems. I don't like to read them and don't often write them. In fact, the first love poem I ever wrote was just last month during our ekphrastic writing challenge. The image took me unexpectedly in the love direction, and so I went with it. Sitting down this time to write a love poem was a difficult challenge. I'm not sure I've followed the guidelines exactly, but I've got a poem or two I'm happy to share.
I'm a lucky boy
snuggled in my favorite chair,
so warm, belly full.
Could there be a better life
for me, than to be so loved?
He's easy to love,
all lean lines and handsome face,
a classic beauty.
It's easy to ignore his
flaws. Who doesn't love a dog?
How do I love thee you?
With poetry (not Browning),
with words unspoken,
with lasagna, chocolate cake,
in numerous mundane ways.
I married for food.
She captured my heart through my
stomach. Heaven knows
there are other reasons, but
I'm too full to think. That's love.
Poems ©Tricia Stohr-Hunt, 2017. All rights reserved.
The somonka is a Japanese form that consists of two tanka written in tandem. Tanka is a form of Japanese poetry that has been practiced for more than 1000 years. Tanka are composed of 31 syllables in a 5/7/5/7/7 format. Most tanka focus on nature, seasons, the discussion of strong emotions, or a single event of some significance. In a somonka, the first tanka is usually a declaration of love, with the second a response to that declaration.
I'm a lucky boy
snuggled in my favorite chair,
so warm, belly full.
Could there be a better life
for me, than to be so loved?
He's easy to love,
all lean lines and handsome face,
a classic beauty.
It's easy to ignore his
flaws. Who doesn't love a dog?
With poetry (not Browning),
with words unspoken,
with lasagna, chocolate cake,
in numerous mundane ways.
I married for food.
She captured my heart through my
stomach. Heaven knows
there are other reasons, but
I'm too full to think. That's love.
You can read the poems written by my poetry sisters at the links below.
I do hope you'll take some time to check out all the wonderful poetic things being shared and collected today by Linda at Teacher Dance. Happy poetry Friday friends!
Love both of these. Thanks for the smile!
ReplyDeleteI've just started playing around with the haiku, and now I want to try my hand at a tanka! Like you I'm not a fan of your typical mushy love poems, but the love of a good dog, and the love of good food, are both love poems I can get behind! 😊
ReplyDeleteHeehee, Tricia. Your post made me laugh. I'm not much for love poems either. These are wonderful, especially the dog one. Really, who doesn't love a dog?
ReplyDeleteThe second one made me laugh out loud - and you are right about the first, he's a handsome boy - and who doesn't love a dog?
ReplyDeleteThose are both light and delightful. I am easily captured by "lasagna, chocolate cake" also. LOL
ReplyDeleteHAH. "I'm too full to think."
ReplyDeleteI know now where to come for good lasagna and chocolate cake...
I've enjoyed reading and learning about tanka and so monk today. I enjoyed both of your poems, especially the food in the second one.
ReplyDeleteThe easy conversational tone of both of these is delightful. I giggled aloud at the last one. Maybe you're a COMEDIC love poet.
ReplyDeleteI think your love poems show that lasting love that many have, Tricia. Each one of them brings a big smile.
ReplyDeleteWhat's not to love about that dog! Great poems, Tricia.
ReplyDeleteGRATITUDE
ReplyDeleteDiving into page
after page of paper and
ink, bringing me joy,
helping me think, now I know
I’m less alone in the world.
Dear pal, Thank you for
cracking open my story
reading line after
line from beginning to end,
All best, your papery friend.
(c) Charles Waters 2017 all rights reserved.