You are currently viewing Challenge #1: 24 Seasons Syllabic Poetry For 9/26/23, #TankaTuesday
Infront of train station/bus station: the flocks congregate. Photo by Selma

Challenge #1: 24 Seasons Syllabic Poetry For 9/26/23, #TankaTuesday

I’m so glad to see this prompt starting at Number 1 and I’m happy to be here for this.
Thank you, Colleen.

Colleen writes:

The Autumn Equinox (September 22 – October 7) Shubun 秋分 

🍁 At the time of the autumn equinox (or spring equinox in the southern hemisphere) we find ourselves embracing the fruits of our harvest from the year with gratitude and thanksgiving. After the long hot summer, it’s now a time of celebration. We know autumn has arrived, and that winter is right around the corner. It’s also the perfect time to reflect on the harvest traditions of the past. It’s the perfect season to write poetry as we’re balanced between summer and winter. 🍁


How does this time of year affect you where you live? Think about the seasonal changes. What descriptive words come to mind? If they work to define the season you’re in, add them to your personal kigo list.

Your syllabic poetry writing invitation is to choose a kigo word or phrase from the seasonal kigo list below, or you can choose from the autumn category on the kigo word lists below. Share your kigo word on your post. If you write freestyle poetry, you must share a syllabic form, too.

You must use one kigo word or phrase in your poem. Please add your kigo word or phrase on your post.

You DO NOT have to write a haiku. You can create a poem from the 24 forms listed. If you write freestyle poetry, you must add a syllabic form to your post.


My Kigo I:
first (autumn) storm (hatsu arashiearly autumn).
rose of sharon (mukugeearly autumn).

PHOTO OF MY ROSE OF SHARON:

In my garden 👍🏽

With first autumn storm
in silence they unfurl
rose of sharon

© selma


My Kigo II:
autumn lamplight (aki no hi, all autumn).

Under the lamplight
a congress of birds
passersby divert

© selma


[Because I cannot download my videos directly (too many, says my computer)
I’ve taken to posting them first on Instagram and then sharing here.]

As seen on Instagram
please turn on volume

Thanks so much for reading.
And if you wish to participate, please click
the link offered above: all details are there.

Selma Martin
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This Post Has 43 Comments

  1. rajkkhoja

    What a great Autumn. Now started winter. Summer is gone. Winter is your poetry season.
    Lovely Rose in your garden. I like.
    Thanks you sharing.

    1. Selma Martin

      It’s my poetry season. Yes 👏🏽 what a gorgeous season. I really love it.
      Yes. Rose of Sharon (name) is just starting to open. Isn’t that just so beautiful!? Lovely, I think.
      Thanks, Raj. Blessings.

    1. Selma Martin

      Indeed I do. Thanks for noticing, Annette. Bless you dear lady.

  2. Maria Michaela

    Beautiful poems, Selma. Great video of the birds too! There is a place that I pass by when going to work that has this tree where birds flock to. I love passing by in the morning and hearing them wake up

    1. Selma Martin

      Don’t walk directly under that tree for obvious reasons. But that must be a lovely tree. I bet the tree is happy for the morning cheering too. Bless you.

      This one was close to sunset. People at the station terminal stopped to gaze. 👏🏽

      Thanks for reading and commenting.

      1. Maria Michaela

        Haha yes! Never directly under it. I’d stop and admire this too, if I were there. Thanks for sharing with us, Selma ☺️

  3. Baydreamer - Lauren Scott

    Beautiful poems, Selma, and your rose is gorgeous! For a fun fact, I’ll share that a bird once “got me” and it was quite embarrassing. My husband and I were newly married and we were at his aunts ordination with his parents. Just innocently standing outside. 🙂 Anyway, back to the season, autumn is my favorite and you may remember this haiku from my book:

    Seasonal Blanket

    autumn’s dawn blushes
    in warm hues of coziness
    melodious crunch

    Have a lovely day, my friend! 🧡🍁🍂

  4. Selma Martin

    And you weren’t even under a tree. I’ve been “lucky” that way too. 😂

    I remember those words from your book—they spoke to me because I’m a fall kinda-gal. Never summer. Give me two springs or two falls! Happy 🍀 😊
    That photo, isn’t it gorgeous? I thought so. That Hibiscus, called Rose of Sharon, was just starting to uncoil. I was so happy to have captured that moment. From that second on I knew I’d use it for a haiku: I heard the bells pointing me in that direction.
    Thanks for reading and commenting, Lauren. I bless your Wednesday.

    1. Selma Martin

      Thank you dearest Cindy. You are sweet to me.
      But really, you should have heard me reciting the James Whitcomb Riley poem. Oh my gosh, you must listen, Cindy. I was happy with those tricky words. 👏🏽 🙇🏽‍♀️ ✨
      I recorded it in my bathroom for effect. 🤣 do listen please. It’ll perk you up more … (if such a thing could be)
      Ok. No pressure. Xoxoxox

      1. Cindy Georgakas

        Oh you’re always welcome Selma.. Now you’ve peaked my interest for sure and I’ll have a lookiie or listen to. You are too funny!!!
        Perks are always appreciated💗

  5. rajkkhoja

    Best of luck, Selma, Carry on you poetry season. Yes that’s lovely right you think, Blessing.!

  6. D.L. Finn, Author

    I loved both, Selma., especially the rose unfurling! Xo

  7. robertawrites235681907

    A lovely poem, Selma. I heard of Rose of Sharon for the first time when I read The Grapes of Wrath.

    1. Selma Martin

      Me too. Me too. That was the first time I heard that name.
      Wasn’t that the greatest book of all time. It’s one of my all time faves. Wish I could write like that!
      Thanks Robbie.

      (I was blown away by the ending. Oh my gosh!) greatest book. I cried many times over. I felt for the characters.

      1. robertawrites235681907

        Hi Selma, you and I are reading soul sisters. Grapes of Wrath made a huge impact on me too and the ending was incredible. One of the best written books I’ve ever read and I’ve read a great many.

        1. Selma Martin

          It makes me smile. I’m sure I haven’t read as many as you. Bit this one is so special to me. From start to finish—I loved that book. Every moment of it 👏🏽 .
          Steinbeck ✨ 🙇🏽‍♀️

  8. Colleen M. Chesebro

    I love the color of the Rose of Sharon!! What a stunning flower. Your video of the bird’s ballet was fabulous, too Selma. Well done on your haiku! 🧡

  9. memadtwo

    Rose of Sharon is one of my favorites! Thanks for the words and photo. (K)

  10. Holly

    summer blends to fall
    still oppressive heat
    brings spring in winter

    Sorry. It’s Houston. That’s all I’ve got, today, Selma. 😉

    1. Selma Martin

      Stellar, methinks. Thanks for this. Spring in Winter is a welcome sight. Be well, Holly dear. xoxo

  11. Luanne

    I’ve always been in love with the name Rose of Sharon! This is lovely!

    1. Selma Martin

      It’s a name I like a lot too. And it fits the flower well too. Thanks, Luanne. Blessings and confetti to you. Happy Mahon.

  12. Marsha

    We have some beautiful Rose of Sharon on our street. They are lovely. Wonderful poetry, my friend.

      1. Marsha

        You are so welcome and deserving, Selma. 🙂

  13. Balroop Singh

    I love this flower not just for its name but also for its appearance. Your poem pays a lovely homage to it. ‘A congress of birds’ is a wonderful image!

  14. msjadeli

    Your poems take me there. Very nicely done, Selma. Enjoyed the pics also.

    1. Selma Martin

      You’re sweet for saying that. Thanks so much.

      I’m no Issa but I wish I were 😝 — Blessings.

  15. Cheryl, Gulf Coast Poet

    Love this post, Selma! The photo and poem about the rose of Sharon are lovely! Beautiful flowers! <3 The video and second poem are beautifully paired. I would not want to stand under that tree! Had some foreign matter dropped into my hair once…most inconvenient timing too! 🙂 It was the day my husband came with me to meet my principal at our school! Thankfully, no students were there that day!

    1. Selma Martin

      That foreign matter has fallen on my head too. No fun. 🤩 😂
      Thanks for this comment. Glad you enjoyed the post my sweet. Blessings.

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