Monthly Archives: July 2023

renewal

renewal

no amount of sun will burn this fog away
somewhere in the world a fire burns
hints of blue sky visible beyond the smoky veil
forecast: hot as hell with a chance of wildfires
and then it rained…and rained…and rained

~kat

And so ends our week with the Gogyohka. Though it presented very few rules aside from five lines, it was the condition that each line be a complete thought that had me a bit flummoxed. I’m finding that even relatively easy forms at first glance present their own challenges! Next week I’ll be exploring the Tableau. It’s metered and rhymed, and allows run-on lines (which I love), all packed into six lines. It also allows me to incorporate my photo art creations given that a tableau is defined as …

1. a picture, as of a scene

2. a picturesque grouping of persons or objects; a striking scene.

So we shall see. I am looking to this form to force me to be present in a specific moment that I plan to memorialize with a photo on my phone. Being present, pausing, breathing, and visualizing into verse. 😊

And finally, in case you’d like to try it, here are the bones of a Gogyohka…

Gogyohka

Five rules of Gogyohka by Enta Kusakabe (1983).

• Gogyohka is a new form of short poem that is based on the ancient Japanese Tanka and Kodai kayo.

• Gogyohka has five lines, but exceptionally may have four or six.

• Each line of Gogyohka consists of one phrase with a line-break after each phrase or breath.

• Gogyohka has no restraint on numbers of words or syllables.

• The theme of Gogyohka is unrestricted.


devolution

devolution

we say we miss the good old days
remembering selectively
longing for a fantasy
denial of reality, history ignored
doomed are we in perpetual repeat

~kat

Gogyohka

Five rules of Gogyohka by Enta Kusakabe (1983).

• Gogyohka is a new form of short poem that is based on the ancient Japanese Tanka and Kodai kayo.

• Gogyohka has five lines, but exceptionally may have four or six.

• Each line of Gogyohka consists of one phrase with a line-break after each phrase or breath.

• Gogyohka has no restraint on numbers of words or syllables.

• The theme of Gogyohka is unrestricted.


messenger

messenger

a flash of crimson caught my eye
it was a cardinal pearched nearby
though I tried my best to deny
that there was more to this, I
secretly hoped it was you saying hi

~kat

Slightly off form with rhyme and a few line run overs, but the cardinal and I had a moment so…

Gogyohka

Five rules of Gogyohka by Enta Kusakabe (1983).

• Gogyohka is a new form of short poem that is based on the ancient Japanese Tanka and Kodai kayo.

• Gogyohka has five lines, but exceptionally may have four or six.

• Each line of Gogyohka consists of one phrase with a line-break after each phrase or breath.

• Gogyohka has no restraint on numbers of words or syllables.

• The theme of Gogyohka is unrestricted.


romanticized

romanticized 

romantic isn’t what you think
not flowers, chivalry or sweets
it’s not even poetry…surprised?
at least to me it’s not a thing
romantic’s when I feel your gaze and we lock eyes…

~kat

Gogyohka

Five rules of Gogyohka by Enta Kusakabe (1983).

• Gogyohka is a new form of short poem that is based on the ancient Japanese Tanka and Kodai kayo.

• Gogyohka has five lines, but exceptionally may have four or six.

• Each line of Gogyohka consists of one phrase with a line-break after each phrase or breath.

• Gogyohka has no restraint on numbers of words or syllables.

• The theme of Gogyohka is unrestricted.


Independence Day 2023

Independence Day 2023

freedom for the chosen
opportunity for the few
doors closed to the hopeful
pursuit of happiness denied to some
parades, hot dogs, mass shootings, music, fireworks…god bless America

~kat

Gogyohka

Five rules of Gogyohka by Enta Kusakabe (1983).

• Gogyohka is a new form of short poem that is based on the ancient Japanese Tanka and Kodai kayo.

• Gogyohka has five lines, but exceptionally may have four or six.

• Each line of Gogyohka consists of one phrase with a line-break after each phrase or breath.

• Gogyohka has no restraint on numbers of words or syllables.

• The theme of Gogyohka is unrestricted.