Poetry Friday ~ 2020

12 Jun

Hi, everyone! A warm welcome to my blog. I hope all is well with you and your loved ones.

Photograph by Tom Barrett @wistomsin

Colleen’s 2020 Weekly Poetry Challenge. Here are your two words, provided by Linda Lee Lyberg:

“Nimble & Enigma“

We are only allowed to use the synonyms of these words in our poems.

The Year 2020

Hey twenty-twenty

you’re tough but we are tougher

Hey twenty-twenty

you gave us a pandemic

racism, fires, and now locusts

But mankind still thrives

and there’s still time to mould you

into a good one

We’re a quick-witted species

mysterious in our ways

poetry friday-vashti quiroz vega-the writer next door-vashti q-corona virus-pandemic-2020

UPDATE: I’m still working on my edits for The Rise of Gadreel. I’m about halfway through, and it’s going great. I’m also working on the book cover and on the first draft of my next book (a thriller ya’ll!).

Enjoy the rest of your day!

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55 Responses to “Poetry Friday ~ 2020”

  1. John W. Howell June 12, 2020 at 3:17 pm #

    Well done, Vashti. Let’s hope we can joke about all this someday.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  2. olganm June 12, 2020 at 3:35 pm #

    Good luck!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  3. denis levieux June 12, 2020 at 3:47 pm #

    Reblogged this on DENIS LEVIEUX PHOTOGRAPHE INFOGRAPHISTE.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  4. Soooz June 12, 2020 at 5:19 pm #

    A timely poem, Vashti. Bravo. I have to wonder how history will judge us. I pray it’s not too harshly.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    • Vashti Q June 13, 2020 at 1:11 pm #

      I’m sure there will be different versions of these events, depending on who’s writing it. You know how it is. Thank you, my friend! ❤

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  5. yvettemcalleiro June 12, 2020 at 6:38 pm #

    We are a resilient bunch. Here’s hoping that we mold the rest of 2020 with loving kindness. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Q June 13, 2020 at 1:23 pm #

      Yes! 😀 Most people act their best when things are at their worst. I wish it didn’t have to come to that. But we certainly are resilient. My wish is for a serene hurricane season and a joyous holiday season that we can celebrate with our loved ones. Fingers crossed.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      • yvettemcalleiro June 13, 2020 at 1:47 pm #

        I’m with you, girl! The last thing we need right now is a stressful hurricane season.

        Liked by 1 person

  6. Mae Clair June 12, 2020 at 8:17 pm #

    When 2020 dawned I thought it was going to be brilliant year. Even the look of it–2020–was somehow perfect. It’s turned into a horrible mess, but I’m going to stick with the glass-half-full philosophy. We can all come out of this for the better.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Q June 13, 2020 at 1:33 pm #

      The year 2019 was such a “blah” year for me. It was a year of recovery (UT CA among other things). Nothing bad happened, but nothing great happened either, and it went by in a blur. I expected a lot from the year 2020. I got more than I bargained for. Nevertheless, I’m still hopeful that things will turn around for the better. Let’s see.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  7. Gwen M. Plano June 12, 2020 at 8:44 pm #

    Loved your poem and the images. You’ve captured it well…the challenges and the hope for tomorrow. Thank you, dear Vashti. ♥

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Vashti Q June 13, 2020 at 1:39 pm #

      Thank you, Gwen! ❤ As we head into hurricane season here in Florida, my wish is for the temperature, seas, and winds to be mild and give us a break. I feel hopeful that 2020 will somehow end well. I appreciate you, my friend.

      Like

      Reply
  8. Stephen Geez June 12, 2020 at 10:51 pm #

    Reblogged this on Stephen Geez Blog and commented:
    Have fun waxing poetic with Vashti Quiroz-Vega! Visit Vashti’s blog and FOLLOW! Reblogged at StephenGeez.com and StephenGeez.WordPress.com. Thanks, Vashti!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Q June 13, 2020 at 1:40 pm #

      Thank you for reblogging, Stephen! 😀

      Like

      Reply
  9. Miriam Hurdle June 12, 2020 at 11:02 pm #

    It’s hasn’t been fun the last few months, but we determined to make it work. I enjoyed your positivism in this poem, Vashti! Good to hear your progress in editing and the book cover. Yay, even working on the next book!! ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Q June 13, 2020 at 1:47 pm #

      Hi, Miriam! This year has been tough from the beginning! Phew! Yes, I’m hopeful things will make a turn for the better, and the year will end well.
      My editing is going great. I’m excited about this book. I had a lot of fun with this one. The cover is going to be beautiful.
      I had an idea for a crime thriller that kept nagging at me, so I wrote a lose outline for it, and now I’m writing the first draft.
      Enjoy the rest of your weekend, my friend! ❤ xo

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      • Miriam Hurdle June 13, 2020 at 2:37 pm #

        Good going, Vashti, are you ready to send the manuscript to the editor? You said you would have the same editor and cover designer for your third book. Hope to see your cover reveal soon.
        It’s the best way to write when you having something nagging you. I have several stories, but I would have to learn how to write fiction first.I got some good books on writing.
        This year has not been easy for me either, I was still dealing with the allergy reaction and inflammation the first three months. I barely made it to see the allergy specialist and had the test done. After the final appointment, the nurse said the office will only see patients for ongoing injection. The following week started the social distancing.
        I do have some good things going for me. The illustration of the children’s book is due June 16. I wasn’t going to pay top dollar for it, but I contacted another person, she would charge 6x more, the same price for traditional publishing. I read from Children’s Writer Institute about children’s book, illustrators could charge four to five figures.
        Anyway, I’m writing books my granddaughters would read one day.This first story is based on the experience I had with my daughter. I could imagine my daughter telling my granddaughters that the book is about her!!
        I hope to see them in a couple months.
        Have a peaceful weekend, my friend! ❤ ❤

        Liked by 1 person

    • Vashti Q June 13, 2020 at 4:32 pm #

      Yes. My editor already went through my manuscript and sent it back to me. I’m halway through working on the revisions and then I’ll send it back to her for proofreading.
      It’s so sweet that you’re working on books that your grandaughters will read some day. I look forward to reading the one about your daughter too.
      I hope you’re feeling much better now. Happy writing! ❤

      Like

      Reply
  10. karenringalls June 13, 2020 at 6:47 am #

    Words of fact and words of hope. The statue is a perfect representation. Well done, Vashti.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • Vashti Q June 13, 2020 at 1:50 pm #

      Thank you, Karen! I’m happy you enjoyed the poem and pictures. I hope all is well with you. Take care and stay safe! ❤ xo

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  11. Annette Rochelle Aben June 13, 2020 at 7:52 am #

    Hot Dog! I love this!! Making it the best year of my life thus far. ❤

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  12. Natalie Ducey June 13, 2020 at 1:05 pm #

    Powerful message, Vashti! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  13. memadtwo June 13, 2020 at 6:43 pm #

    Down but don’t count us out! (K)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  14. dgkaye June 14, 2020 at 1:04 am #

    Hey 2020, ya, take that! ❤ ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  15. Colleen M. Chesebro June 14, 2020 at 2:06 pm #

    Totally, brilliant, Sis! I love the double tanka structure. It is so powerful. Good luck on your editing. ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  16. Jan Sikes June 14, 2020 at 2:38 pm #

    What a great use of the prompt, Vashti! That’s telling 2020!! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Q June 15, 2020 at 12:46 pm #

      Yay! I’m happy you enjoyed the post, Jan. Thank you! 😀 xo

      Like

      Reply
  17. 🎼 Cleopatra X151 Trevilcock👪 June 14, 2020 at 5:32 pm #

    Thank you for sharing so many positive messages. I’m glad you and so many are enjoying your books, blogs and company. You deserve them all!!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Q June 15, 2020 at 12:45 pm #

      Thank you very much, Cleo. I appreciate you. ❤

      Like

      Reply
  18. Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life. June 16, 2020 at 5:10 am #

    Fabulous Vashti.. put a smile on my face.. we are resilient…♥

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  19. SaaniaSparkle 🧚🏻‍♀️ June 16, 2020 at 2:30 pm #

    Nice blog 🙌🏻

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Q June 17, 2020 at 12:42 pm #

      Thank you very much! I appreciate your visit and comment. 😀

      Like

      Reply
  20. revaagarwal June 24, 2020 at 12:36 pm #

    Great poem! Humanity must get through these challenging times together. We aren’t going to succumb this, we’ll emerge stronger!

    Here’s my take on it, would love to know what you think!

    2020- A Perspective Paradox

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  21. markbierman June 25, 2020 at 9:01 am #

    2020 is one for the history books. Your poem is encouraging and well written.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Q June 26, 2020 at 1:38 pm #

      Hi, Mark! You’re absolutely right about that. I would love for families to each have a time capsule where everyone in the household could place their written accounts, drawings, poems, photographs . . . . Basically, their interpretation of all the events witnessed and experienced this year. Then on December 31st they can bury it somewhere, not to be excavated until 15-20 years later. Wouldn’t that be fun? Thank you, my friend! 😀 xo

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      • markbierman June 27, 2020 at 7:20 am #

        Great idea, Vashti. I think they are doing this in the small town not far from my home.

        Liked by 1 person

  22. Colleen M. Chesebro June 30, 2020 at 6:58 pm #

    I’m using this double tanka in my book, Sis. You retain ownership. I cite you in the bibliography. Add one word for me: first stanza, line five… add the word now (locusts). that makes it 5/7/5/7/7. Thanks, Sis. ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Q July 2, 2020 at 12:37 pm #

      Yay! I’d be honored if you used my double Tanka in your book. It’s hard for me to accept that racism has two syllables because of the way it’s pronounced, but okay, I’ll add now. 😉 Thank you! ❤

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      • Colleen M. Chesebro July 2, 2020 at 1:41 pm #

        I checked all the syllables with the syllable checker. I know some of this is about diction and how we say the words. For the challenge it’s fine. For the book, I want to follow the rules so that people reading the book understand the rules. That’s all. I’m getting as many great examples from you all as I can! Thanks, Sis. ❤

        Liked by 1 person

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