Poetry Friday ~ Theme Prompt

30 Jul

Welcome to my blog, everyone!

It’s the fourth week of the month! Are you ready for a theme prompt? Donna Matthews from D J Ranch.org picked the theme:

EXPEDITION

***

There is no Frigate like a Book
To take us Lands away,
Nor any Coursers like a Page
Of prancing Poetry –
This Traverse may the poorest take
Without oppress of Toll –
How frugal is the Chariot
That bears a Human soul.

~Emily Dickinson

This week I chose to write a Shadorma (syllabic poem with a 3-5-3-3-7-5 sequence) about the transcendent powers of reading, inspired by one of Emily Dickinson’s poems.

I opened

a book and entered.

The words spread

out their wings,

and took me on a journey

far from where I’ve been.

********************

NOTE:

My short story Memoir of a Mad Woman is on sale for 99¢ through the weekend. You can get your copy here.

BLURB:

A novelette from the award-winning author of The Fall of Lilith and Son of the Serpent, Vashti Quiroz-Vega.

Who can explain how madness begins?

This is the story of Emma. Reared by a religious fanatic, orphaned at a young age and sent to a mental institution and an orphanage. Molested and betrayed by the people who should be watching over her…

Who can say that madness has no logic?

During a fight, Emma’s best friend punched her in the abdomen. Since then, Emma has believed there’s something damaged inside of her.

Every month… she bleeds.
She tries to fight it all her life, but the pain and the blood return twenty-eight days later… and the cycle begins again.

But Emma, even in her madness, knows how to take care of herself.
She knows how to make things right…

You may not agree… 
But, who can reason with insanity?

Read this tragic but fascinating tale and traverse the labyrinthine passages of madness.

Thank you for your visit! I hope you enjoyed the post.

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41 Responses to “Poetry Friday ~ Theme Prompt”

  1. John W. Howell July 30, 2021 at 4:47 pm #

    Terrific, Vashti.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  2. D.L. Finn, Author July 30, 2021 at 6:25 pm #

    Love this, Vashti 🙂 It does seem like the words take wing.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Q July 30, 2021 at 6:54 pm #

      I’m thrilled that you enjoyed my shadorma, Denise❣️Thank you! Happy weekend!

      Like

      Reply
  3. Annette Rochelle Aben July 30, 2021 at 7:28 pm #

    And just think of how many have been blessed by the journeys you have provided! ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Q July 30, 2021 at 8:06 pm #

      Awww! Thank you, Annette! That was an awesome thing to say. ❤ xo

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  4. Gwen M. Plano July 30, 2021 at 7:35 pm #

    Gorgeous, Vashti. How perfect! Thank you for all the journeys you’ve led me to take. My world is much bigger because of you. 💗

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Q July 30, 2021 at 8:08 pm #

      Thank you for that sweet comment, Gwen! I’m happy you liked the poem and the journeys. I appreciate you. ❤ xo

      Like

      Reply
  5. olganm July 31, 2021 at 12:46 am #

    Great poem,and thanks for the bargain story, Vashti. Take care!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Q July 31, 2021 at 2:48 pm #

      Thank you, Olga❣️It’s my pleasure.

      Like

      Reply
  6. yvettemcalleiro July 31, 2021 at 9:16 am #

    Love your poem, Vashti! Some of my favorite journeys have been within the pages of a book. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Q July 31, 2021 at 2:49 pm #

      Same here, Yvette! I’m glad you liked my Shadorma. Thank you!💖

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  7. robertawrites235681907 July 31, 2021 at 11:16 am #

    Great poem, Vashti, and an interesting post

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  8. balroop2013 July 31, 2021 at 12:42 pm #

    Well-penned! Such journeys are unmatchable Vashti. I love them.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  9. coldhandboyack July 31, 2021 at 2:55 pm #

    I hope you move a bunch of books this weekend. I’ll share it a couple of places. Good luck.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Q August 2, 2021 at 10:15 pm #

      Thank you very much for the support, Craig❣️I appreciate you.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  10. memadtwo July 31, 2021 at 10:06 pm #

    That’s a good journey to take! (K)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  11. Colleen M. Chesebro August 1, 2021 at 12:28 pm #

    What an amazing journey, Sis! I love the shadorma form. It suits you well. ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  12. Elizabeth August 1, 2021 at 6:26 pm #

    Once more our minds were synchronized for this prompt! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Q August 2, 2021 at 10:18 pm #

      That’s wonderful, Elizabeth! I’ll go check out your poem.🤩

      Like

      Reply
  13. D. Wallace Peach August 2, 2021 at 2:47 pm #

    A beautiful Shadorma, Vasht. A perfect spin from the image and Dickinson’s poem. Books are a wonderful metaphor for a journey.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Q August 2, 2021 at 10:20 pm #

      Thank you very much, Diana❣️ I know I’ve traveled to some extraordinary places via books.📚

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  14. judeitakali August 3, 2021 at 2:13 am #

    Amazing poetry.
    “Who can reason with insanity?” I love that from your novelette. 💜

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Q August 5, 2021 at 9:14 pm #

      Hi, Jude! It’s always fun to see you here. I’m happy you liked that line and the poem. Thank you! ❤

      Like

      Reply
  15. SelmaMartin August 3, 2021 at 2:17 am #

    Oh yes. Yes. Books take us on journeys. Far away.
    What a gem this Shadorma is. Thanks for sharing.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  16. karenringalls August 3, 2021 at 6:41 am #

    The Shadorma you wrote beautifully describes how reading a book takes one on a journey.
    Your book, “Diary of a Mad Woman” took me on a journey that I so enjoyed. I remember becoming “lost” in the words and became a part of the story.
    I love your writing, Vashti

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Q August 5, 2021 at 9:39 pm #

      Hello, Karen! Thank you for your wonderful comment. I’m so happy you enjoy my writing. It means a lot to me. ❤ xo

      Like

      Reply
  17. Jacqui Murray August 3, 2021 at 9:59 am #

    This does sound amazing. It makes me ponder madness. I stood waiting for an elevator with a youngish man who maybe not mad was not in the normal range. I didn’t mind and I tried to make sense of what he said but failed.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Q August 5, 2021 at 9:52 pm #

      Thank you, Jacqui! It’s nearly impossible to make sense of it. Mental health is such a serious issue. I wish we had a better understanding of it. I also wish the medical field would make it a priority. 😀

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  18. Teagan Riordain Geneviene August 8, 2021 at 12:20 pm #

    I loved this, Vashti. Beautiful and inspirational. Hugs on the wing.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Q August 12, 2021 at 3:11 pm #

      I’m so happy you liked the poem, Teagan! Thank you!😙💕

      Like

      Reply
  19. Miriam Hurdle August 26, 2021 at 1:21 am #

    I loved your beautiful Shadorma, Vashti! Wishing you the best for your short story Memoir of a Mad Woman. Hope you have many sales. I enjoyed it very much.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Vashti Q September 3, 2021 at 8:17 am #

      Hi, Miriam! I’m happy you enjoyed the Shadorma and the story. Thank you very much. Have a great weekend! ❤

      Like

      Reply
      • Miriam Hurdle September 3, 2021 at 10:48 am #

        I’ve been with my daughter’s family in Oregon for two weeks, will go home tomorrow. It has been a wonderful time with my grandkids. 💖

        Liked by 1 person

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