Haiku Friday – Ember & Flame

30 Jun

“It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours. It cannot be taken from you, not by angels or by demons, heaven or hell.”

~Buddha

volcano-hell-The Writer Next Door-RonovanWrites-Vashti Q-Haiku-Poetry

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Where is hell? Some people say it’s right here on Earth, in our world, and after watching the news for a few minutes you may believe it too. Others say hell is in your mind. Walk into any insane asylum or hospital for the criminally insane and I guarantee it’ll make perfect sense. What could be more hellish than our own guilt?

If we were to imagine hell as a place here on Earth, where would it be? I can’t think of a place closer to hell than inside an active volcano standing on the banks of a magma lake––can you?

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HELL

by Vashti Q

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Deep in the darkness

Confined till the end of days

Swallowed by Volcán

◊

Wrapped in chains, covered in ash

Tormented by magma flames

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volcano-hell-Poetry-Haiku_Friday-The Writer Next Door-Vashti Q-The Fall of Lilith-Lilith

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“The mind is its own place and in itself, can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven.”

~John Milton

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volcano-hell-Poetry-Haiku_Friday-The Writer Next Door-Vashti Q-The Fall of Lilith-Lilith

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“We are each our own devil, and we make this world our hell.”

~Oscar Wilde

 

Ember and Flame are this week’s prompt words chosen by Ronovan Hester of Ronovan Writes.

Last week’s prompt words were Darkness and Deep. Since I didn’t do Haiku Friday last week I decided to incorporate these words into today’s poem.

Ron hosts a challenge that anyone could participate in called Ronovan Writes Weekly Haiku Poetry Prompt Challenge every Monday, and you have until Sunday to create a post featuring your haiku poem. He is an author and poet and also does author interviews and much more on his blog. Be sure to check it out. Read Ron’s Haiku Prompt Challenge Guidelines for more information.

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Happy Friday and great weekend, everyone!

 

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38 Responses to “Haiku Friday – Ember & Flame”

  1. nodoubter June 30, 2017 at 2:36 pm #

    Your posts are very interesting. Indeed, all depend of your thoughts about life,In my opinion I think that sometimes it’s necessary to know hell to know you want to be in heaven…
    thanks for share, by the way this is a curious story about Hayku or Haikais https://expandecultura.com/2017/04/30/haikais-literatura-japonesa/ you can translate to read in your lenguage.
    Regards

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  2. John W. Howell June 30, 2017 at 2:37 pm #

    Excellent, Vashti.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  3. olganm June 30, 2017 at 2:38 pm #

    Powerful stuff, Vashti and the words from last week fit right in. I hope you are well. Take care.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Q June 30, 2017 at 2:51 pm #

      Hi Olga! I’m very busy but in good spirits. Thank you for asking and for your sweet comment. ❤

      Like

      Reply
  4. Annette Rochelle Aben June 30, 2017 at 2:59 pm #

    Claiming myself, for myself… planting that flag in my ash! lol

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  5. Olga June 30, 2017 at 3:21 pm #

    Your images and words erupted in my mind. Ha ha! That John Milton quote is so true. The mind is a powerful thing. It’s wonderful to know though, that positive thinking can direct us to heaven on earth. Loved you post, Vashti. ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Q June 30, 2017 at 3:48 pm #

      Hi Olga! You’re so right, the mind is truly powerful and we have to be careful what we tell ourselves. Thank you very much! I’m happy you enjoyed the post. ❤ xx

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  6. Frank June 30, 2017 at 5:45 pm #

    Love the poem – and fantastic images.

    from this fire lilith
    spilled upon heaven’s green earth
    seeds of destruction

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  7. coldhandboyack June 30, 2017 at 7:02 pm #

    Love your posts and your graphics are always stellar. BTW, having a devil of a time closing your mailing list prompt to make comments. There doesn’t seem to be a X, and it kind of closes when it feels like it.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Q June 30, 2017 at 9:40 pm #

      Hi Craig! Thank you very much. I’m glad you enjoy my posts. Really? The X should be at the upper right hand corner of the window. Were you on your laptop or cell phone? That might make a difference. It’s my first time using MailChimp and I have no idea what I’m doing but I’ll look into it for sure. Sorry about that.😏

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      • coldhandboyack July 1, 2017 at 8:54 am #

        I use an iPad Pro, but authors who do similar things don’t show up that way. I thought you’d want to know. Feel free to delete these comments from your wonderful post, I just wanted to let you know what I see on this end.

        Liked by 1 person

      • Vashti Q July 1, 2017 at 12:55 pm #

        I definitely wanted to know. Now I can try to do something about it. Thank you, my friend. 😀 xx

        Liked by 1 person

  8. Sunni Morris July 1, 2017 at 12:01 am #

    Love this post, Vashti. I do agree that heaven or hell is a state of mind. We probably have both here on Earth. I always love your insights, quotes and great pictures to go with your poems.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Q July 1, 2017 at 1:01 pm #

      Thank you very much, Sunni! What a lovely comment! I’m very happy you enjoy my posts. I enjoy yours too. ❤

      Like

      Reply
  9. robbiesinspiration July 1, 2017 at 9:51 am #

    A great post, Vashti. I really enjoyed your haikus.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Q July 1, 2017 at 1:02 pm #

      Aw, thank you, Robbie. I appreciate you stopping by––always delightful. 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  10. Marje @ Kyrosmagica July 2, 2017 at 7:01 am #

    Enjoyed your haikus Vashti. Happy Sunday, hope your weekend is treating you well. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Q July 2, 2017 at 11:51 am #

      Thank you Marje! I’m having a good, relaxing weekend. Happy Sunday to you too! ❤ xx

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  11. Teagan Geneviene July 2, 2017 at 4:58 pm #

    Truly marvelous, Vashti. Well done indeed. Hugs.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  12. Denis1950 July 4, 2017 at 4:04 am #

    You certainly turned the heat up with this haiku Vashti. An interesting series of questions you pose. Maybe at this moment HELL may be in the White House Press Office.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Q July 4, 2017 at 1:31 pm #

      Ah, ha, ha! You may be right, Denis! 😀 xx

      Like

      Reply
  13. mihrank July 4, 2017 at 4:06 am #

    amazing, brilliant lines, your image is connected with the reflection of your words,,,,beautiful

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  14. dgkaye July 4, 2017 at 9:12 pm #

    Loved this Vashti. Wonderful quotes too. I suppose one man’s heaven could be another man’s hell and vice versa. It’s all in the mind’s perception. 🙂 ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  15. MaryHill July 10, 2017 at 7:57 am #

    Very powerful thoughts. I try to conquer my mind and create heaven on earth. Thanks for sharing on the #LMMLinkup this week. Love, positivity, and admiring beauty are the realms of my thoughts.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Q July 10, 2017 at 12:20 pm #

      That’s great, Mary! The mind is powerful and how you choose to see life determines your happiness. It’s my pleasure to share with the #LMMLinkup!

      Like

      Reply
  16. I write therefore I am alive. August 2, 2017 at 3:08 pm #

    Wise words 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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