Past-Time

I heard
Someone
Say
You said our
Together was
Over,
Love had
Flown –
Tears filled
Up my eyes
Because
I was
The last
Come knowing.
A shadow
Over
The day
Just
Started
Growing
My heart
Paled, collapsed
You in
Your life
Kept going,
Lonely
Mine was
Destroying.
Still, sweet
Music plays
My heart
And soul
Forever
Taste
The words
To sing,
I writing
Will catch
Inklings –
Making
Fresh
Love
Melody
All things.

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan

Prompt

This was written in fifteen lines, each five a tanka. I decided to bring it here, do some edits, and elongate it by making the lines short.

Your challenge, should you accept it is to take something you have written – do a sea-change with the form. This could be current work, a piece you laid aside, or even a found work from your own material. Try to hold the meaning or make it new. You are the creative engine. Blessings.

Unyielding

I have been told
I should yield
To the ordinary
Settle down
Settle in,
I considered it
Once,
But then again
I have too much
Difficulty
With those like
Them.
I am too
Different,
Too loud,
Too much
To bridle
Who I am,
I bring
Creativity
In order
Wherever
I am.
Life is
Love,
To inspire,
Encourage,
Bring
Wanderers
To be found.
I am unable
To slow down,
Time goes too
Fast to let it
Pass without
Living it sound
Aloud.

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan

Indirection

©Jo Ann J. A. Jordan

He drew me, a bug,
Thinking myself to squash, hush,
He discovered me
Not as he believed, understood,
Full of energy and love.

*********************************

Scared to be
In proximity
Because we
Once meant
Each to the other
Meaningful worlds
Beyond reality.

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan

Prompt

What signifies relationship and forgiveness to you? Create writing or art to portray your view.

Thanksgiving

Why Gratitude Is Great Every Day

It is fantastic to set aside a day annually for giving thanks, and we should. However, there is so much more meaning to be gained from an attitude of gratitude in the midst of ordinary days. We live by grace, everything flowing to us freely. Much of what happens and what we have, we did not plan.

The parking space that opens up on a day when walking hurts.
The child arrived after a long period of waiting.
The place where home is found.
The friends who love despite the flaws.
The technology that eases each day.
The books that let us travel away.
The pets that bring smiles and laughter.

All these and so many blessings enhance living, gratitude journals are a wonderful practice to indulge in thankfulness. What they give us is mindfulness of how full our lives are. Maybe it raises the spirits and keeps complaints at bay.

Try to take at least a few moments to recognize your extraordinary life every week. When you know what you have you may find yourself more content.

Life is a bountiful adventure abundant in every way. I hope you find reasons for gratitude all along the pathway.

Happy Thanksgiving!

© Jo Ann J. A. Jordan