I’ve been dabbling in this and that this month, but mostly I’ve found a lot of inspiration in the recent posts of different Poetry Friday participants. I can’t say how thankful I am for this community. It enriches my life in so many ways!
First, I was inspired to respond to the Poetry Princess invitation to write an etheree. An etheree is a 10 line poem, beginning with a one syllable line and working its way up to 10 syllables in the tenth line.
Summer Passes
June
unrolls
a carpet
of fragrant blooms
to welcome July,
who unleashes her heat
and temper in thundrous bursts.
She cedes lush gardens to August
who blankets them in humidity
and the faintest whiff of autumnal spice.
©Molly Hogan, 2020
Matt Esenwine’s post last week reminded me of the power of a cherita. Cheritas tell a story in 6 lines, separated into one, two and three lines. Better yet, they don’t typically have titles and wow, do I struggle with titles!
At the shore
the waves curl and unfurl
in endless repetitions.
Two young lovers, sun-lit and carefree,
construct a castle of sand,
beautiful and doomed.
©Molly Hogan, 2020
I also was inspired by Tabatha Yeatt’s post last week about senryu, haiku-style verse that focus on humanity rather than nature.
control
slowly letting go
of that illusion
©Molly Hogan, 2020
And on a lighter note, very much inspired by one of the mentor poems that Tabatha shared:
indigestion
after once again
eating my words
©Molly Hogan, 2020
Finally, after reading Mary Lee Hahn’s post last week, I was inspired to create a daily challenge for myself and anyone who wants to join . Rather than spinning in circles trying to figure out what’s going to happen with school, I’m trying to focus on something small and positive each day, enjoying fleeting moments as they happen. Join in if you’d like!
in the garden
summer sun comes on strong
tomato blushes
©Molly Hogan, 2020
#poeticdiversion
Thanks to all my PF friends. You are such an inspiration!
Catherine Flynn, a regular inspiration to all, is hosting this week’s Poetry Friday Roundup at her blog, Reading to the Core. She’s sharing another beautiful resource and the poem it inspired.
Nix the comfort zone 
I love all of these, Molly – nice job tackling these challenges so well!
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Thanks for the inspiration to write a cherita, Matt!
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Thanks so much for this offering, Molly. I enjoyed every one of your poems, and appreciate your comment about titles as I also find them a challenge. Cheers.
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Thanks, Karen! It’s nice to know that I’m not alone in the title challenge. It really is a struggle for me.
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Molly, each one of your poems is filled with creativity and word play. You have been so productive this week. Thank you for the new hashtag, #poeticdiversion.
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Thanks, Carol! I’ve really appreciated having the #poeticdiversion as a focus in recent days.
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Wow, I am thoroughly impressed with each of these poems, Molly. Your ‘control’ senryu is spot on. Thank you for sharing the bounty of your poetry productive week. 🙂
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Thanks, Bridget! I’m still working on letting go of that illusion of control! Hope you’re healing well!
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You have been busy, Molly! I especially love how you’ve captured the distinct personality of each summer month in your lovely etheree. What a fun form! Your #poeticdiversion is so necessary right now. Thank you for the inspiration!
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I’m trying to appreciate all aspects of summer while it’s still here! Capturing some of it in poetry helps 🙂
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I heartily agree with your love of this community. I write more and better from having read the wonderful contributions of so many. Your etheree sweeps from the tenderness of June through the scorching of July to the August that will give way to fall. That’s kind of amazing, there. And, I am so enjoying poetic diversion. It helps. It really does.
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I think my favorite #poeticdiversion is still your fart joke one. I’m so glad you captured that in a poem! lol
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Gorgeous etheree, Molly, the personification of the months making way for each other. I am ready for that first whiff of autumnal spice. And, oh, the story within that lovely, haunting cherita-! Those poor doomed lovers…The senryu perfectly convey the all-too-human foibles of having to eat our own words … all in all a poetic feast, every bite a delight, like those blushing vine-ripe tomatoes. Most of all I take heart from this line: “Rather than spinning in circles trying to figure out what’s going to happen with school, I’m trying to focus on something small and positive each day, enjoying fleeting moments as they happen.” -Yes! You’re singing my own heart-song! Write on!
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Thanks so much for your thoughtful comments, Fran! Writing is such an anchor for me during the storm of current events.
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Nice work, Molly. All of them. I love how your etheree works it’s way to the end toward fall with such evocative seasonal details.
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It’s so nice to have so many prompts and inspirations!
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Ooh, those blushing tomatoes! It’s so much fun to read your poems sparked by PF forms 🙂 This community is inspirational. (I am SO ready for whiffs of autumnal spice…)
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I’m so glad you liked the tomatoes–I was kind of partial to that one 🙂
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I love what you have written this week. Thanks for sharing your inspirations, too. Blushing tomatoes, hah!
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Thanks, Margaret! I’m enjoying those tomatoes 🙂
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You have drawn strongly on the inspiration and lead of others in this post Molly. As writers and poets we must be open to the influence of others and use this as a launching pad for our own ideas.This had lead you into a variety of poetic forms. As the quote goes- ‘First we imitate, then we innovate.; You have done this here, no doubt about it…
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Thanks for commenting and for always being one of those inspirations, Alan!
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I agree, Molly. I’m so happy to be reconnecting more deeply over the past few months with the PF community:>) Your etheree is beautiful–I love the way it rolls the summer out. A carpet, indeed. If it were a rug, I’d ask to return it (not the naturey parts you’re talking about–but the human parts).
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Thanks, Laura. I appreciated the challenge to join in the etheree fun 🙂
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What a cornucopia of poetic delights you shared today! I love how your etheree moves though the seasons and points us toward fall. I’m trying to savor summer every day. I agree with you that this community is an ongoing source of inspiration.
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It’s hard to believe how swiftly summer is passing now! As the school year gets underway, I suspect I’m going to be looking to this community for both respite and inspiration.
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What a tastey summer etheree poem Molly, and such a rich cornucopia of poems! Fun “indigestion” poem, and refreshing #poeticdiversion haiku–good idea, thanks Molly!
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Thanks, Michelle. I haven’t been writing small poems lately for #poeticdiversion and miss it. It does make a difference in my daily outlook.
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