Category Archives: Challenges and Writing Prompts

Oviellejo #3

it’s a scary thing to care,
please don’t despair

dare to let the real you shine
in this dark time

though truth’s a rare commodity,
kindness is free

try giving more than you receive
pass along a friendly smile,
reach out, go the extra mile
please don’t despair, in this dark time kindness is free

~kat


The Oviellejo is an Old Spanish verse form (derived from ovillo, a ball of yarn). A stanza consists of 10 lines, with a rhyme scheme of AABBCCCDDC. The second line of each rhyme scheme, Line 2,4,6, is short line of up to 5 syllables. The last line is a “redondilla,” a “little round” that collects all three of the short lines.


Oviellejo #2

the darkest night cannot resist
dawn’s gentle kiss

it’s shrouds of mist hovering low
in amber glow

the coo of a lone dove, mourning,
greets the morning

sparkling dew droplets, adorning
tenderly, sweet flowers in bloom,
another day commences soon,
dawn’s gentle kiss in amber glow greets the morning

~kat


The Oviellejo is an Old Spanish verse form (derived from ovillo, a ball of yarn). A stanza consists of 10 lines, with a rhyme scheme of AABBCCCDDC. The second line of each rhyme scheme, Line 2,4,6, is short line of up to 5 syllables. The last line is a “redondilla,” a “little round” that collects all three of the short lines.


Oviellejo #1

show me how you really feel
let’s get real

and I will do the same for you
because it’s true

too many people lie for sport
life is too short

we need each other for support
a little kindness plants a seed
it feeds a basic human need
let’s get real, because it’s true, life is too short

~kat


Well, I’m really challenging myself this month! I really like this form. It has a “little round” in it. One of my favorite things to write. So, here goes…one down, 30 more to go! 😳😊


The Oviellejo is an Old Spanish verse form (derived from ovillo, a ball of yarn). A stanza consists of 10 lines, with a rhyme scheme of AABBCCCDDC. The second line of each rhyme scheme, Line 2,4,6, is short line of up to 5 syllables. The last line is a “redondilla,” a “little round” that collects all three of the short lines.


Kimo Day 31

she is somewhere hidden amidst the stars
face gone dark this black moon night
to sleep, to dream ‘til dawn

~kat


Kimo poems are an Israeli version of haikqApparently, there was a need for more syllables in Hebrew. That said, most of the rules are still familiar:
• 3 lines.
• No rhymes.
• 10 syllables in the first line, 7 in the second, and 6 in the third.

Also, the kimo is focused on a single frozen image (kind of like a snapshot). So it’s uncommon to have any movement happening in kimo poems.


Kimo Day 30

the afternoon rain had its way with me,
soaking me down to the skin…
who needs an umbrella?

~kat


Kimo poems are an Israeli version of haikqApparently, there was a need for more syllables in Hebrew. That said, most of the rules are still familiar:
• 3 lines.
• No rhymes.
• 10 syllables in the first line, 7 in the second, and 6 in the third.

Also, the kimo is focused on a single frozen image (kind of like a snapshot). So it’s uncommon to have any movement happening in kimo poems.