Written for
24 Seasons Syllabic Poetry Challenge, No. 31, 4/23/24, Part I, Grain Rain
(April 19 – May 4) Koku 穀雨
APRIL 23, 2024
TANKATUESDAY CHALLENGES
SHARING:
Golden week is the perennial holiday that always comes at the perfect time, like the
flowers. It’s a time for relaxing into the new season. Festivals abound and as can be
expected (like the insects emerging after hibernating for the winter) people flood
everywhere. 😃
We stay home and celebrate quietly. Mainly in the garden, planting… 🍅 ((funny,
but the weather turns perfect on the eve of the new month🤞))
Also, seeing as our wedding anniversary comes during the Golden Week (May 5th
is our 34th) the blessing of this event is always special💒
We’re celebrating starting today: husband will be home from tomorrow until May 7th.
Very cool, right? Me think so.
the light within
radiates with fervor
through rains and follies
©️ selma
Colleen says:
🪻Can you believe it? We will begin the season of summer on MAY 5th!! 🪻
Remember, this is the 24 Seasons of Japan.
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 kigo list.
I wrote this post for Tanka Tuesday exactly as I’ve posted. And then I read Mich’s
post for W3 to realize I could do a double thing here since it included the prompt
word, folly, 💘 like the universe ordered, so I am…
HAIKU > SIJO > HAIBUN
HAIKU:
Spring rain, on and off
young bracken unfurl their leaves
my heart at sixteen
SIJO:
Soft April rain keeps me indoors again, unfurling my deep thoughts
discovering my heart quietly as I did at sixteen.
I have nowhere to go today—a mix of truth and folly.
HAIBUN:
There’s no mistaking the calendar month. The tomato saplings bounce
gently in their trays as each soft raindrop dots each young leaf,
welcoming them into existence. I should have planted them the day
I brought them home but that day felt like summer, and the day got
too short that I had to rush to collect a reddened sky for my photo
collection.
Holding a mug with both hands for warmth, I draw near the window, and
point my chin to the tomato plants. They bounce back their reply,
obviously enjoying the cold drizzle. Squinting through the glass,
I say, “Are those new sprigs sprouting between the brand new branches,
already?” Those will have to go… I smile and settle at my desk near
the oil heater.
feelings sprung like sprigs
but I could not discern them
too green with folly
© selma
(used the past tense because I’m referencing the past when I was too
green with folly; should I change this to present tense in haibun?)
This month I’m doning my student hat entirely…
KIGO: in BOLD
Happy Birthday to Colleen. Happy anniversary too.
Congratulations on everything.
I’ve been absent from my usual sharing and feel bad to hog more attention than
I feel I deserve, curbing my enthusiasm to preserve my sanity.
But behind the scenes I’ve been practicing. If all goes well, God willing, I’ll have
another bout of busy-ness in the fall so I’m trying to pace myself. Wish me well,
please. 🤞
ALSO Written for
W3 Prompt #104: Wea’ve Written Weekly
Posted on April 24, 2024
For https://skepticskaddish.com/ The Skeptic’s Kaddish
Thanks for having me. Blessings David.
- Share The Wealth: Joy is Our Natural State - May 6, 2024
- NPM Scavenger Hunt – Poems from Around the World - April 30, 2024
- Day 30: NaPoWriMo 2024–Mary Magdalene At The Doctor’s - April 30, 2024
Beautifully written Selma. All the best for your next adventure
You’re the sweetest, Sadje. Thanks always. Blessings my sweet. Have a lovely weekend.
You’re very welcome.
Happy almost anniversary Selma. 34 is an amazing milestone!!!
Ah, Dawn. How sweet of you to congratulate me. Thanks so much. Yes. I’m proud about this one. Bless you for reading and commenting.
Hope you’re enjoying the celebration 🎉
Nice written , Selma. Very nice Haiku. Nice words written in Haiku.
Ah. So appreciate your readership dear Raj. Stay sweet. Have a nice weekend.
Thanks,Selma! You too stay ❣️! Have happy Sunday. I hoped…..?
Beautiful poetry, Selma 🙂 Happy 34th Anniversary, too! Xo
Glad you liked the poetry. Practicing… thanks for congratulating me. 🤗 bless you my dear.
Happy Anniversary Selma 💕
Maggie. Thanks sooooo much. Bless you. It’s the last weekend in April—yup! Believe it or not! Enjoy.
My pleasure Selma xo
I know 🙄 I am sure someone has placed time on fast forward, lol.
Hugs my friend x
It’s time to slow down and just BEE. xo
Xo
Beautiful creations. Happy Anniversary for May
Glad you enjoyed my creations, dear Diana. And thanks soooo much.
Happy weekend.
Have a relaxing weekend.
Awwww, Happy Anniversary Selma! This is such a beautiful response to this prompt my friend. Happy celebrating because this is quite an adventure and a milestone so many never reach. Cheers!!! 🥳✨💖
You are so sweet, Kym. Here’s a warm hug 🤗
Thank you dearly. And have a wonderful last weekend in April.
Such a celebratory post! And yes, it is also worth celebrating that one prompt fit in with another; the more the merrier. Congratulations and well done.
D Avery what a pleasure to have you read this one. Thanks so much. Every day is a good day to celebrate. Happy weekend. XoXo
yay!!
😊 thanks Beth.
All the poems are beautifully written Selma. Sijo is my favorite one. I haven’t tried this form though I really like it.
Thanks for saying dear Balroop. Glad you liked my practice. Blessings my dear. 🤗
Your shares are always doubly delightful, and then some!
Aww. You say the nicest things. Thanks, dear Michele Lee. Have a great weekend.
These are wonderful you certainly set yourself a challenge here:
Haiku
Sijo &
Haibun
“I have nowhere to go today—a mix of truth and folly.”
This is so relatable, isn’t there always something to do! When young I felt there was less guilt associated with simply doing nothing.
Hi Selma,
I noticed my comment was posted as anonymous – just thought I’d let you know it’s from me, Ben (W3 PoW).
This courtesy is one I really respect. Thank you. 🙏
I appreciate this comment Ben. Thanks for disclosing it’s you. I bless you.
Happy Anniversary, Selma. I love your poetry and photos. 😊
Gwen 🤗 thanks so dearly my friend. Have a splendid last weekend in April. Xoxo
You’ve covered a lot of spring ground here! We should all keep a little folly in our hearts.
Folly is good, right! I agree. Bless you. Have a spectacular weekend, K. XO
I’ve been doing a lot of gardening this April, more than usual. It was quite cold then got very hot, and now it’s cooled off a lot. Good weather for taking long walks. Take good care of yourself, Selma! I don’t want to impose, but I was wondering if you could post your review of my book on Goodreads. Thank you so much, dear Selma!
Hi Dawn. Thanks. I don’t see it as imposition at all dear Dawn. I’m glad you reminded me. See, I’m a real airhead. That’s why I am useless on FB now (and always) Why is it that way on FB? I don’t want to know everything… I just don’t and I see everything. I have no way to change that. FB makes me angry.
Anyhoooo, here, my sweet: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6460334069
you got one more review. It is my greatest pleasure.
MY pleasure. Bless you.
Thanks so much for the birthday and anniversary wishes. Happy Anniversary to you, Selma. 💗 Your poetry was spectacular this week. I think your haibun was fine the way you wrote it. Don’t change a thing. Enjoy your time with hubby. I loved learning about Golden Week. I can see you planting in the garden. 🪴 💗
Blessing you on this last weekend in April, dear friend. Be well.
Thanks so much, Selma. Sending you love and hugs! 💖
Happy anniversary! Beautiful post and poems. ❤️
Very sweet of you. I appreciate you reading and commenting. Xoxo
I can only “like” once but would like to triple “LIKE”, Selma!!! Happy Golden Week 🙂
Happy anniversary, Selma <3 ~ and such a lovely write to boot!
~David
Aww. Thanks so much. Xoxo
All so lovely and happy anniversary 💞Suzanne
Selma I love the malleability of these verses! You’ve taken the W3 prompt and used it every which way! Turns out that was NOT folly but genius!! Happy Anniversary!!
You’re sweet for saying, dear Val. And thanks for the anniversary wish. Thanks. 🤗
Selma! What a wonderful amalgamation of posts…. amazing and joyful. Enjoy your break with hubby and be well and happy 💜💜
Hi, Selma 👋🏻
Just wanna let you know that this week’s W3 prompt, hosted by Destiny of ‘Destiny’s Designz’ is now live!
Enjoy!
https://skepticskaddish.com/2024/05/01/w3-prompt-105-weave-written-weekly/
Much love,
David
Wow happy Anniversary! Great time to be alive.
A rainy day is always great for discovering our hearts.🌧️