The Shadorma is a Spanish poetic form made up of one or more stanzas of six lines each. It’s a syllabic poem with a meter of 3|5|3|3|7|5
I love daisies. They are the cheeriest, sweetest flowers I know. They’re dainty flowers yet resilient and mighty enough to break through concrete. I was emotional when I wrote this poem, don’t ask me why. I couldn’t help laughing at myself through the tears. Luckily, I was alone in my house. Otherwise, someone might have thought I was crazy.
DAISY
A daisy lifts its golden eye powers through the asphalt truly believes in itself Be like a daisy
Don’t give up because things are hard Try again Persistence Grow through your cracks like daisies blooming through cement
“The splendor of the rose and the purity of the lily do not rob the little daisy of its simple charm.”
I hope you enjoyed today’s poem! Thank you for your visit.
Colleen Chesebro Poetry Challenge explores Ekphrastic poetry, inspired by visual art or photographs. Reena Saxena provided a piece of her artwork for this month’s challenge. There’s plenty of imagery in her art, and it’s a great inspiration to write your poem. Remember what you’ve learned about the psychology of color in your poetry.
So this week our syllabic poem should be inspired by Reena’s lovely artwork. I decided to write a Reverse Etheree.
I didn’t want to do the obvious by writing a poem about the butterfly, but since I saw Reena’s illustration I couldn’t get the image of butterflies out of my mind, and they’ve been coming at me from all sides. I was in my backyard and a butterfly flew up to me, on TV there was a commercial with butterflies, and then I got online and the first thing I saw was an image of a butterfly. So I gave in. It was meant to be.
Butterflies are proofthatyoucan go through a great amount of darkness and still turn into something beautiful Put on your brightest colors Savor all the flowers Let go of the past Ride the breezes Embrace change learn to fly 🦋
Thanks for the visit! I hope you enjoyed the post!🦋
Hi, everyone! It’s been a while since I posted anything here. I apologize for that. I’d been dealing with certain issues—problems that interfered with my ability to write or blog. Things are improving, and I have begun writing again. I’m currently working on my next book, a crime thriller. If you’re an author and have written a crime thriller I would appreciate any advise or tips you care to leave in the comments below.
I had hoped that the first post on my blog would be a cheery one, but I was compelled to speak out on the overturning of Roe vs. Wade. Let me start by saying, I’m a Christian. I’ve never had an abortion; on the contrary, my husband and I tried for years to conceive a child and never did. I have worked in the OB/GYN field of medicine for years and witnessed how some women used abortions as if it were a type of “Planned Parenthood.” They’d come in every few months with, “Oops, my bad. I got pregnant again.” Giggles. Well, it wasn’t funny to me. Having an abortion is not a form of contraceptive. On the other hand, I also witnessed twelve and thirteen year olds forced by their religious parents to carry a baby to full term despite the danger on the pregnant child, “Because it’s God’s will.” Some of those girls were raped by family members. We had a thirteen-year-old who had placenta accreta, almost hemorrhaged to death after giving birth, and had to have her uterus removed.
I also watched as some women gave birth to baby after baby without being financially or mentally fit to do so. I actually heard one woman say, “As long as the government keeps payin’ for them, I-ma keep popin’ them out.” Her four kids were wearing rags that hardly fit, ran around the waiting room like little wild animals, touching everything, one of them was sneezing and coughing on everyone (including other pregnant women), and they were all screaming at the top of their lungs. Meanwhile, she sat reading a magazine while everyone else looked after her kids. She didn’t seem to have a maternal bone in her body, but yet she kept having kids for the rest of us to support. I know it isn’t PC to say these things, but it’s the truth.
I remember another case in which a woman insisted on carrying her pregnancy to term, although, her doctor advised against it. She had a condition and a pregnancy would complicate the disorder or cause her and/or her baby to die. She wanted a child so badly she decided to chance it. She gave birth to a healthy, beautiful baby girl and immediately began to wither away. Despite her doctors doing everything they could, even ordering medication for her from Europe and paying for it out of their own pockets, she died before her baby turned six months old.
I’ve witnessed these things and will carry them with me for the rest of my life. And because of everything I’ve experienced, I am extremely confused and don’t know how to feel about abortions. But there’s one thing I know for sure; the overturning of Roe vs. Wade is a step backward for all women. A basic right was taken away from us.
Although I never had an abortion and at this point in my life never will; I still feel that no one has the right to take that choice away from other women. After all, if God gave human beings free will so that we may choose our own way, who are these people to take that right away? God must hate many of the choices we make, but he still allows us to make them.
I welcome all opinions. Please feel free to comment on whatever you’d like in the comment section below. Thank you for visiting my blog and have a fabulous day.
I’ve been struggling with medical issues for a while now. It’s been hard. I’m seeing several doctors, and I’m hopeful that my medical problems will be resolved in the near future. Meanwhile, I’m taking a hiatus from blogging and social media in order to focus on my health. You’ll probably see me pop in and out of social media, I don’t think I can stay away 100%, but it won’t be like before. I haven’t had the energy or focus to do the things I enjoy doing.
I need some time to heal and when I do I’ll be back in full force. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
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
outtheir 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.
Colleen says: This challenge explores Ekphrastic writing inspired by visual art (photographs). Annette Rochelle Aben from last month’s challenge has provided the photo for this month’s challenge. Remember, it’s not so much about describing what’s in the photo. Look beyond the obvious to find new meaning.
Photo by Annette Rochelle Aben
MERMAID
Don’t mistake songs in the wind for wind songs
Don’t confuse figures out at sea, that
sit on distant rocks for sea lions
She dwells where worlds hide in the
deep, and emerges to
the wild call of the
running tide to
warn us, “let
the seas
be”
photo by Sandra Bittmann
If it doesn’t come bursting out of you in spite of everything, don’t do it. Unless it comes unasked out of your heart and your mind and your mouth and your gut, don’t do it.
Have a great weekend and never give up on shooting for the stars!
Hello, everyone! I hope you’ve all had a wonderful start to your day!
Poet’s Choice! It’s the first of the month and that means we choose our own syllabic poetry form, theme, words, images, etc. It’s up to us!
If you’d like to participate check out Colleen Chesebro’s Poetry Challenge here.
Even the lone writer who has wandered this far into summer with her books, notepads, laptop case knocking her knees—even she wishes to enjoy the warmth of the sun caress her skin, feel the fresh seasonal showers wash away concerns, hear the songs in the breeze on sultry summer evenings.
“Let me live, love, and say it well in good sentences.” —Sylvia Plath
Happy JUNE! It’s the first of the month and you know what that means! Word Crafters can choose their own syllabic poetry form, theme, words, images, etc. It’s up to us! Colleen Chesebro’s Poetry Challenge!
In Spring—
the Lady wears a crown of
yellow blossoms
whose sweet scents tease and tantalize
on warmer days soon to be.
By Summer—
her Majesty dons her most
beautiful apparel
with leaves a bright verdant green
shiny with midsummer dreams.
In Autumn—
the Lady shows us her splendor
whose bright orange leaves herald
the darkness of another winter slumber.
In Winter—
her Majesty lays naked
barren leaves shed like tears
awaiting the hope of a new year.
Blooms heavy with dew—
stretch toward the rosy dawn,
spiritual bliss.
Fairy nymphs hover and flit,
spreading their magic for you.
My Review:
This book is a collection of entertaining poems and short stories along with interesting facts about fairies and magic. The author also shares her own beliefs and experiences, which makes this book delightfully unique.
Author and poet Colleen Chesebro includes a varied selection of poetry styles inspired by magic, fays, and the summer solstice. Some of the stories and poems will make you laugh while others will inspire you, enchant, and even haunt you.
Although I enjoyed all the stories and poems in this book, “The Leaving” and “Halloween Havoc” were two of my favorite stories, and “The Magical Tree,” was one of my much-loved poems.
I recommend this book to lovers of fairies, magic, nature, poetry, and engaging stories.
***
Colleen Chesebro has a new book out called Word Craft: Prose & Poetry: The Art of Crafting Syllabic Poetry Check it out! Colleen is an expert when it comes to writing syllabic poetry, so if you’d like to learn more click on the link and get your copy. I got mine!
Thank you for visiting my blog. Have a fabulous day!
This challenge explores Ekphrastic writing inspired by visual art (photographs). When you write poetry based on a painting or photograph, we work with symbolism and metaphors. This week, don’t just describe what you see in the image. Check out How to Write Ekphrastic Poetry and apply some of the techniques used in the article to your own poem.
Trent McDonald from last month’s challenge has provided the photo for this month’s challenge:
Hello everyone! Today, I have an interesting guest on my blog. Her name is Gadreel and she is the main character in my latest novel The Rise of Gadreel. She has written a poem for us but before we get to that I have a few questions I’d like to ask her.
Character Interview
Vashti:
Hello Gadreel! Welcome. I’m so happy you could join us today.
Gadreel:
Greetings. I am delighted to be here.
Vashti:
Let’s get right to it, okay? Tell us about your home, Floraison.
Gadreel: (She frowns. She gives me a wounded look and then lowers her eyes to the floor)
Floraison is no longer my home, for I was cast out along with Lilith, Lucifer and the rest of the rebel angels.
Vashti:
Oh––yes, I’m sorry. (I squirm on my seat) If it’s too difficult for you to talk about it, it’s––
Gadreel:
Apologies. It is for this reason I was invited, so I shall answer your question. Although, there are no words to fully describe Floraison, none that humans can understand. I shall do my best. Firstly, there are three realms of Heaven: Heaven Most High where God resides, Metá Heaven, and Floraison, the lowest realm of Heaven where God chose to place his angels. Different dimensions separate these realms and only God travels between them as He pleases.
There was no need for a sun, moon or stars to give Floraison light. God’s splendor lit the lowest realm, and the skies were beautiful beyond compare. There was no true darkness where the angels lived. In Floraison’s unit of time there was brillante, when the light was at its most intense and nightglow when at its dimmest.
There were many trees and meadows adorned with colorful flowers that emitted fragrances evoking happiness and vigor. Magnificent creatures abounded, large and small––perfect in every way and pleasing to the senses. Some of these creatures were prototypes for beings God created on different planets, and others were unique to Floraison.
The River of Life, a pure river with crystalline healing waters, flowed between realms and proceeded from God’s throne room.
(She stopped and gazed at me with doleful eyes that made my heart ache a little)
Vashti:
It’s okay, Gadreel. I think we get the picture––Floraison is a celestial paradise. You mentioned that there was no true darkness in heaven, so what was it like the first time you experienced night on Earth?
Gadreel: (She shivers and wraps her arms around herself)
When I fell from heaven I landed in a hot area of grasses and small dispersed trees. The sunlight was harsh and glaring and singed my angelic skin. There was no shade or area to escape from it. The heat enveloped me and the air was so dense I had to drag it into my lungs. I hated this new environment, but nothing prepared me for night.
It was like I disappeared. I could not see my hands in front of my face. It was like not existing, but yet living. I felt like God no longer saw me and that made my heart very heavy. I never felt farther from my home.
The grasslands came to life at night with unfamiliar noises. I heard a sharp, thrilling call overhead, the leaping and bounding of fleet-footed creatures avoiding predators on the ground, and all manner of growls, clicks, and hoots. An eerie, cold sensation crept into my bones. I curled into a tight ball and trembled in the darkness.
Vashti:
That sounds awful. I won’t be alone in the dark any time soon. (Awkward pause) Gadreel, did you ever see God?
Gadreel:
In Floraison there are golden double doors that opened to a portal that lead to Metá Heaven where God’s presence could be reached in His Throne Room. Only by His expressed permission could one cross this portal. I was never given permission to enter. Michael, who had entered the hall, said it was aglow with the most exquisite light ever seen. But in order to truly see God angels must elevate to Heaven Most High and that’s a difficult process.
Vashti:
You’re obviously remorseful for joining Lilith and rebelling against God and the holy angels, so why did you do it?
Gadreel: (She swallowed hard and looked down)
I never felt rebellious in my heart. I loved God and my heavenly home. Lilith was my best friend and she is a powerful influencer. She made me feel that I needed to be loyal to her––and I was also a bit afraid of her, of what she would do if I did not follow her. She also told me it was the only way for me to be with Samael and I believed this. I loved Samael and he joined Lilith and Lucifer in their rebellion. I wanted to go wherever he went, even if it meant that I would end up in hell.
Vashti:
So much has happened since the war in heaven and your fall from grace. How have you changed?
Gadreel:
I am much stronger and confident in my abilities now. I know I have done many wrongs for which I must make amends. I will seek God’s forgiveness, although I know I can never return to my home in heaven. I shall no longer ally myself with Lilith, Lucifer or Samael. I have new allies now even in the Animal Kingdom, for I have the ability to understand and communicate with them. However, I shall always miss Floraison.
Floraison by Jeff Brown
Homesickness pulls at my heart
♥
Tossed down from Heaven
I lie broken on the earth
I know in my mind
It is not over for you see
Although the fall split my spine
♥
I shall survive this
Long enough to make amends
I don’t belong here
but I am homesick
for a home I shall not see
♥
Home needs a whole heart
My heart’s a thousand pieces
so homesick am I
Earth shall never be my home
I am wishing for heaven
“There was no sun in Floraison to torture us. We had brillantes, a time of divine light, which was like the warmth of God’s smile. Here on earth, we have to endure days of glaring, fiery light, which stings our bodies and perturbs our minds. In Floraison, we had nightglows when light dimmed to a soft glow, which reminded us that God was still near. Here, we have night––the absence of light when we are left on our own. I miss our home.”
The Writer Next Door | Vashti Q 
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