This month Margaret Simon set our challenge. She invited us to write a shadorma, “a Spanish 6-line syllabic poem of 3/5/3/3/7/5 syllable lines respectively.” It’s a fun form to play around with, and I’m sure I’ll be revisiting it.
Illuminated Manuscript
Distant trees
inscribe the full moon
Their branches
cast shadows
as mysterious to me
as hieroglyphics
©Molly Hogan
Then I saw that there’s more snow in the forecast for next week. Sigh. So I wrote another shadorma, trying to spark some optimism.
April Patience
Flakes drift down
All is white again
Tender green
bides its time
beneath the snow, knowing soon
it will take the field.
©Molly Hogan
If you’re interested in seeing some more shadormas, check out the links below to see what the other Inklings did with the challenge:
Catherine Flynn
Mary Lee Hahn
Heidi Mordhorst
Margaret Simon
Linda Mitchell
Poetry Friday is hosted today by Matt at Radio, Rhythm, and Rhyme.
Nix the comfort zone 
Snow again. We have horrible heat and humidity. I miss our unusual snow. Thanks for writing such beautiful poems. I didn’t remember to do it. Oh well.
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I believe we’re supposed to see more snow this week. It’s been quite raw and chilly–I don’t like heat and humidity, but I’m ready for some gentle warmth.
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Great job responding to the challenge, Molly! Both are thoughtful and full of beautiful imagery.
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Thanks, Matt, and thanks again for hosting.
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Your poems are lovely Molly– thank you for sharing!
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I would trade a day of snow for the heat and humidity down here this week! This is a cool form. I like both of the ones you wrote!
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It’s a friendly form. 🙂 I usually prefer snow to heat and humidity, but this raw April feels a little mean right now.
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Oh, my goodness… hieroglyphics. They are going to stay with me all day. How gorgeous. ‘April Patience’ reminds me that I dreamed of seeing my home valley covered in snow…I wouldn’t have remembered that unless I read this poem. Thanks, Molly. Your lines carry beauty and now, a tie to my dream.
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Isn’t it funny how a random comment can bring back a whole dream? “My home valley covered in snow” sounds so poetic!
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Lovely images, Molly. Love “tender green bides its time.” Definitely a lesson in patience.
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One that I need to learn. I’m a bit unhappy with the weather right now.
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The photography! I’ll be first in line at the bookstore, Merryreading Books to buy your coffee table book of nature photographs from Maine. Your friends don’t need free copies, we are here to support the author!
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Thanks, Dan! If it ever happens, you’ll be one of the first to know!
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Molly, I love the double meaning of “take the field,” like each season is a different team waiting for its turn to play. Hieroglyphics is the perfect word for your perfect photo.
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Molly, I’m enchanted by “Illuminated Manuscript.” And I hope you’re soon done with the snow (or that the snow is done with you.) 🙂
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