Welcome to a new year of writing syllabic poetry. Please read the rules, updated for the new year,2023 HERE.
Back by popular demand, our first poetry challenge of 2023 from Colleen Chesebro is to write your poem by selecting synonyms for the two words below. Do not use the two words—synonyms only.
This week I have chosen to write a Tanka.
New & Experience.
A novel feeling An encounter with nature Never before felt Completely out of the blue To be one with the ocean.
It is so lovely to have you back Colleen, to feel the warmth of our poetic family once more, here’s to 2023.💜💜💜💜
It’s Lauren’s turn at bat for Throwback Thursday. She said ” I’ve been pulling my hair out trying to think of something Maggie and I have not done before. I know we’ve talked about learning to drive, learning to cook, and learning to swim. I am going to follow that path and ask about your childhood approach to learning new skills.. As kids we are exposed to a huge variety of learning experiences. We can never succeed unless we are willing to make a commitment to the process.”
When did you learn to ride a bike? Were you self-taught or did someone teach you? Any major injuries on the way? Did you master the skill? Do you still ride? If applicable, did you teach your kids?
I must have been about three when I got the family trike handed down from everyone else…. I think I was seven when I got the old hand me down black and silver two wheeler. Dad taught me to ride that bike over in Gunnersbury Park. I fell off many a time but I don’t think I ever hurt myself badly, just the odd cuts and bruises. I don’t remember having another bike or going any great distances on one. I helped to teach all the boys to ride, the all rode their bikes a lot. When our youngest was small I had a seat on the back of my bike and ferry him all over the place. Eventually the roads got too dangerous and I learned to drive!
Did you learn to play a musical instrument? At what age? Who taught you? How often did you practice? Were you in band at school? How good were you? Do you still play? If applicable, did you encourage your kids to play?
I learned the recorder, we were all in the school orchestra…I was awful, didn’t practice because I drove everyone hairless at home! I wished I had learned an instrument as I love music. The boys are all musical, goodness knows where that came from. The eldest has been in bands and still makes electronic music . The middle lad is like me but did try to learn guitar during lockdown. The youngest son went to the Guildford Academy of Music and got his degree in sound engineering and mixing. He was also in the church choir for years.
Did you sing in a choir in church or at school? At what age? How often did you practice? Did you enjoy it? How good were you? Do you still sing with others?
Yes again we were all in the school choir , I love singing still do, I don’t think I am any good but it makes me happy. Everyone else can wear earplugs!
Did you have formal instructions on speaking a second language? Were you fortunate enough to be raised in a house with two or more languages? Did you learn a second language in school? Are you fluent in more than one language?
I learned French and Latin at school I tried hard but Latin foxed me and the Nun that taught by it disliked me! I learned some German and Italian with one of my sister’s. I can get by in those three languages but really I am not fluent in them 💜
Did you to play on a sports team or learn martial arts? At what age did you start? Did a parent become a coach? Did you practice at home? Do you still play sports? If applicable, did you encourage your children to play on a team?
No to all the above I cannot seem to see balls until they hit me, I broke every finger playing netball. My position was wingdefense, I was the girl who did not get picked until last as no one wanted me on their team 😁😁😁 The boys however did everything and loved it. The eldest and youngest still Run and cycle, so does the middle lad but he also plays cricket, football and loves golf!
Did you ever take dance, tap, ballet, baton, cheerleading, etc. lessons? When did you start? How long did you take lessons? Did you practice on your own in addition to the lessons? How skilled did you become? Did you encourage your children to do the same?
I learned Ballet and tap from when I was five for several years I loved it, I was not built for it though as I was a tubby child! I was in a big show with the school once though . The boys never learned to dance but can …our youngest and his wife cut a dash at their wedding!
Did you learn to roller skate or ice skate? Did someone teach you or did you take lessons? At what age did you learn? Did you become skilled quickly? Can you still skate? Did you teach your children.
No no no 😁😁😁😁😁 Our youngest broke his ankle skating, and they all roller skated!
Today I am delighted to have the one and only Ritu Bhathal here to discuss her book Marriage Unarranged. Where it’s going and how it has grown.
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Firstly welcome Ritu it’s so good to see you again. I am always so excited to have you visit! Now tell me how do you feel about tackling some taboo subjects in this book? The broken engagement, the shattering of family honour and the fact that your girl is so definitely in the right and saw the light in time.
Thank you for the lovely welcome, Willow, it is good to be back here! You know, I never intended to be a writer who writes about more serious issues, but as this story took hold, I realised that I could use this book as a platform for bringing some of these taboo subjects into the public eye, but without being overly serious. I don’t mean to gloss over them, but to highlight them in a manner that is easily accessible for all.
I get that Ritu and I think you have found that fine line to walk. Would you like chai or coffee and of course some cake… Hubby has even made some scones and we have clotted cream and jam.
I’d never turn down a cuppa, Willow, after all, I am Indian,where chai is one of the most popular beverages, born in Britain, where we all love a quintessential cuppa, with connection to Kenya which is also a tea-growing country! And scones? Yes please… please let’s not argue over which comes first, the jam or the cream… it all goes down the same way!
Lol yes indeed it does, we don’t need to argue the cream and jam…no more than we would about whether the toilet roll is hung on the holder to come from above or below. Now you have Aashi’s elder brother who I feel has something he is hiding. Do you think you could discuss this with us?
Dear Sunny, the gentle, but protective older brother of my main character, Aashi will actually be the focal character in book two. Again, something which showed a hint of colour during, and at the end of Marriage Unarranged is something I felt would be another taboo subject to tackle. I have sown the seeds about him questioning his sexuality… Book two will reveal all! Shhh!
Right my lips are sealed! More tea, another scone Ritu?
You are spoiling me, Willow! I’d better leave another scone, but I may take one home with me. Another cuppa would be perfect!
Yes of course, do take a few scones with you they are not bad are they?
So many big issues to address I think you are very brave. This one, stand-alone book has just taken on wings, with so many twists and turns, so many surprises! Sis…where do you see everyone going next. I for one can’t wait.
Thank you, Sis! Yes, I never, for one minute, thought that my initial venture into writing a novel would result in a series, but if I am honest with you, my characters speak to me, rather loudly, and when I finished, there were other secondary characters who wanted their story told… as well as readers who wanted to know more, so that is why the second in the series will focus on Sunny, and the third will be based on Bali, Aashi’s other brother… and I have another meaty storyline for that one too, based on some personal experience, but it’s not my story, it’s theirs!
There could even be spin-offs or novellas, but we have to wait and see.. let me get book two written, first!
Oh! This mystery man: he is so perfect but he has baggage too. I love that you have tackled so much that is taboo. You have bought it to the front and fore and I love that.
We all have baggage, don’t we, Sis? Aashi’s ex-fiance is an example of the way some people view their sons, and how he can do no wrong, even though he clearly has. Her new love interest, Arjun, is, in my eyes, perfectly imperfect! Again, his ‘flaw’, though we shouldn’t view it as such, is something that many in our community shun, so why not add it to the whole Taboo spice mix I have going on!
But, I must say one thing. It is important to remember that this story is set in 2000, so there are some aspects that may not be relevant to the thinking of today’s youth. Think of it as a Modern, Historical, Desi Story – Chickpea Curry Lit at its finest!
I can do that, yes I can. Hey, shall we open a bottle of wine and we can toast your future 💜💜
Why, that sounds delightful, Sis! Thank you, so much for inviting me over! Cheers!
After the second Drama on the Saturday morning of the Silent Eye Workshop we had a break, then a presentation from Lorraine Munn on The Natural World and Man. Lorraine is a Druid and she is a mentor with O B O D and an ordained minister with the One Spirit Interfaith Foundation.
Lorraine spoke to us about how there is so much in Nature that is spiritual and it’s relationship to man.
Lorraine is a warm and knowledgeable woman who made us all stop and think. She suggested that we can learn a lot from plants and trees. Lorraine is very wise about trees she can commune with them.
I shall not attempt to repeat her presentation because I do not want to misquote or misrepresent her in any way.
I love nature and I have always loved trees. I often find myself drawn to them and can spend hours in their company.
Bend with the wind,go with the flow
So wise, with knowledge we will never know.
Bare in the winter
Silent in snow
Covered in blossom in spring
Birds nest in your branches and sing
Summer brings green leaves
And you give us shade
Autumn’s hues are a sight to behold
Covering the ground in carpets of red and gold.
Trees know so much, they see so much. We use them to build, for warmth, for furniture. We give little back. We, humans as a race are users. Vast forests and jungles are cleared in the name of progress.
Hopefully with the splinters and ashes and discarded furniture the trees go back into mother Earth so new ones may grow.
Trees and vegetation were here before us, they will be here when we are gone.
Yes Lorraine is right we can learn a lot from nature. Trees and plants have been here so much longer than we have. Animals too can teach us so much. Have you ever been privileged enough to have a close encounter with, a fox, deer or even domestic animals. The knowledge in their eyes is beautiful.
Ruby (sitting) and her friend Quala. They are both Guide Dogs, though Ruby is now retired and lives with us.
Yes Lorraine confirmed my feelings on our relationship with Nature and gave me a lot to think about.
Our Acer we have only had it a year but we hope it will grace us with it presence for a long time to come.
After breakfast we met in the the temple to first to discuss and then to perform Ritual Drama Two. A second self.
“Aruru moistened her hands She pinched off clay She kneaded it… She shaped her idea into it Then she threw it into the wilderness…”
Does that remind you of anything, it does me. Yes it truly reminds me of how “God” made Adam. ..
Steve read the above verse to us before we entered the temple. It was only the second time I had entered the temple as Limma but somehow I didn’t need the script I was guided in. First in line with Fate Ia to my left with the other four fates behind us, we followed Gilgamesh in, bowing to the temple guardian on entering. We walk towards the throne bow, to the king of Urk and the East and peel off to our spheres.
We are seated Anu and Aruru carry out the Cencing of the temple. The Guardian seals the temple.
As Anu and Aruru sit Enkidu stands and faced East. I as Limma rise also to face the East. I hold the mask of the voice destiny infront of me. I introduce Enkidu. I explained who he is and what he is. I tell how he is one with the animals of the wilderness.
One day he is seen by a trapper who is terrified by what he sees. He runs off to the great city to tell the king of this man beast.
To the music of the planet moon.
I with the other fates move around the Hexaflow we pass the mask of the voice of destiny to eachother and exchange spheres.
Fate Min takes up the story of the trapper who saw Enkidu at the watering – hole.
She tells how the trapper is in fear of Gilgamesh and how Gilgamesh enjoys the poor man’s fear. Almost ridiculing him, then finally threatening him that there will be consequences if he is not telling the truth.
Gilgamesh (seated on throne, is deep in thought, recalling his dream and the prophecy of his mother. He says, ( quietly…)My twin, eh? Uncivilised, is it?(Then decisively…) Very well, let us see what civilising influence can be brought to bear upon him. Go to the temple of Ishtar. Instruct the Priestess Shamhat, by my command, to accompany you. Take her into the wilderness. When the wild-man approaches the watering-hole let her employ all the arts of love to seduce him. When he succumbs, the animals will leave him forever. He will no longer be a part of the herd. Go now and do as you have been instructed.Gilgamesh stands and points towards the West over the Trapper’s head.
And so the trapper leaves to do as he was bid.
To the music of Mars
I and the other fates move around the Hexaflow exchanging places and the mask of the voice of destiny.
Fate Issu takes up the tale. She tells us how the Trapper has arrived at the temple and goes straight to speak with the high priestess Shamhat.
The trapper tells Shamhat about the wild-man and Gilgamesh’s demands.
The priestesses is not best pleased, saying that the king has no right to command her ..no one but her Divine Council may do that.
The trapper points out he is only the messenger.
Shamhat consults with the Devine Council. Anu informs her she must do the king’s bidding.
To the music of the planet Mercury. I join the other Fates and we walk the Hexaflow exchanging places and the mask of the voice of destiny.
Fate Ia (faces the East, holds the Voice of Destiny mask before her face and she tells us. Then Shamhat called upon the Divine Council. She summoned the Priesthood of the Seven to aid her in what must be done. The Divine Council come forward from the East, with their veils plainly visible, draped at the waist from their cordeliers. They stand in an arc before and around Shamhat, with right to left, Nanna, Gugalanna, Enki, Enlil, Inanna, Ninurta, and Utu. Shamhat rises to stand before them and bows her head. During the following interchanges Ninsun acts as an intermediary between the Divine Council and Shamhat. Ninsun walks around the back of the arc of the Divine Council from the left, to stand in front of each of them in turn.Priestess of Nanna opens the vesica around Ninsun, and ‘passes’ the white veil…Ninsun My service is to he who sends the dreams of Men to sail the moonlit night. He gives you greeting. (Bows to Shamhat) You must follow the Trapper into the wilderness in search of Enkidu. On the first night, give him this gift. (Takes white veil) Drawn from the very substance of the lunar seas, this veil will give Enkidu the vision of the tides of life. He will see how they ebb and flow, ever seeking a point of rest,
Ninsun My service is to he who guides the hand of Man to strike or withhold. He gives you greeting. (Bows to Shamhat) Of his substance, my god offers this gift. On the second night, you must give it to Enkidu. (Takes red veil) In war and in peace, Man must know when to act and when to be still. No more must the wild man react from instinct; this veil will bring him the gift of discrimination, the freedom to choose his own path. Priestess of Gugalanna closes the vesica around Ninsun… Ninsun Steps forward to attach veil to Shamhat’s cloak. Bows and moves to the next position along the arc of the Divine Council, in front of Enki. Priestess of Enki opens the vesica around Ninsun, and ‘passes’ the grey veil… Ninsun My service is to he who bears the Word twixt the earth and the heavens. He gives you greeting. (Bows to Shamhat) The Word of the gods is echoed in the speech of Man. On the third night, you must give this gift to Enkidu.
So Ninsun, brings greetings and instructions for Shamhat from each of the Devine Council.
The devine Council through Ninsun has given Shamhat a different coloured veils to give to Enkidu.
So Shamhat takes her cloak and the veils and leaves with the trapper to find the wild man.
It takes them three days to reach the watering-hole, then they have to wait for two days more until the wild man arrives .
The trapper tells Shamhat to catch the wild man’s eye and he will succumb to her charms.
The two hold eachother’s gaze.
The to music of Jupiter I join the fates as before.
Then we all speak in turn.
Fate Imin (turns to face the east) and says For six days… and seven nights… the dance was joined.
Fate Ia The glories above were un-named…
Fate Limma The word for that world beneath, unuttered…
Fate Ash Source and time, unfettered, merged…
Fate Ussu From the mingling waves-of-water came mud and slime…
Fate Min Enshar and Kishar, twin global halves, shone out of them.
Shamhat dances the dance of seven veils, Fate Ia explains what each coloured veil represents.
Enkidu falls deeper under Shamhat’s spell.
Again I join the other fates to walk the Hexaflow.
After a while Shamhat and Enkidu sleep.
The Divine Council in the East, led by Anu and Ninsun, perform the Communion,serving Gilgamesh first. After finally serving themselves Anu and Ninsun take the Platter and Chalice to Sphere 9/0. The Divine Council and other characters in the East are seated simultaneously. All the Fates rise from their seats to stand, simultaneously Anu sounds Chime… and Enkidu and Shamhat ‘awake’ and turn to face each other… Enkidu (who can now speak) A strange vision have I beheld whilst we slept. Shamhat (laughing) A dream, my love? Enkidu (leaps to his feet and begins to pace the Enneagram space) A dream, it was, of High and Noble Forms moving in well-ordered sequence, and sharing… a meal? Shamhat (rising to her feet also and moving towards the Sphere 9/0) It is a final act of civilisation, my love. How we share the means and manner of our existence here, together. I shall show you. Shamhat adds her blessing to the bread and wine and passes the platter to Enkidu. Together Shamhat and Enkidu share the host with, the Guardian, the Fates and all remaining characters who have not yet received it. Finally, they serve themselves. They return the Platter and Chalice to the table in the East and are seated .
To the music of the Sun I with the other fates move around the Hexaflow we pass the mask of the voice of destiny to eachother and exchange spheres. When we are finished I am left standing facing East and holding the mask of the voice of destiny.
I tell of how Shamhat and Enkidu stayed out in the wilderness for days. Enkidu was puzzled when he could no longer join the animals, they ran from him and his speed was gone.
Shamhat explains that now he has united with a woman he is no longer a beast he is now a man. God like.
Shamhat decides that they will go and live with the shepherds outside Wall -Girt Uruk. Before they enter there. So they do.
Then one day Enkidu meets the trapper all dressed in his finest clothes. Curious, Enkidu asks him why is he dressed so. The trapper explains he is on his way to a wedding to celebrate.
He tells Enkidu that after the priest has blessed the couple, and the guests have rejoice it is the custom that the groom stands aside because Gilgamesh is first to mate with every new bride. This the trapper adds is what the Gods have decreed.
This angers Enkidu his own first taste of love fresh in his mind. He vows to stop Gilgamesh. He sets off for the city.
I then put down the mask of the voice of destiny and walk to the centre of the Enneagram and read from a scroll I was given earlier.
Listen, I will tell you a mystery… A secret of the Gods… King of Shuruppak, quickly, quickly You must tear down your house and build a great vessel… Leave your possessions, save your life. The vessel must be round so that its length equals its width. Build a roof over it just as the Great Deep is covered by the earth. I understood the words of Ea. My Lord, I will obey your command as you have spoken it. But what shall I say when the people ask why I am building such a vessel. “Tell them that you can no longer live in their city, that it is your fate to go down into the Great Deep, tell them that an abundance of rain is coming…”
(And all the time back in Huxlow 2019 the rain is pouring, unknown to us )
When I have finished I return to my sphere, meanwhile the Temple Guardian unsealesq the temple.
Following my lead all the fates turn to the East then I lead them out, bowing to the Guardian as we leave. Then everyone else leaves.
***********
Well, there I was in the hallway with all the others, again Sue Stuart and Steve were telling us all how well we had done.
I could not grasp the time shift we had all made. Time and space laws defied.
Apparently it was time for a break, we were to meet in the library in fifteen minutes for a talk from Jan Malique entitled The offspring of silence.
Then Lunch… Goodness was it still the morning on the first full day of The Silent Eye Workshop, surely I had been in the wilderness outside Uruk for weeks?
I am confused. I have tried to give you a taste of the story and how we lived it. I have used different music to show that the story is timeless. The music in the temple was so beautiful too. Thank you to everyone involved.
Well it’s 5pm and I have just settled in a comfy position
on a very comfortable bed.
I have been traveling since 10am until 4pm and I am tired my back is screaming..
Where am I?
I am in Derbyshire and though it is wet and chilly it is a very beautiful place. The Nightingale center is very comfortable but even more important than the surroundings and the comfort I am about to embark on my first Silent Eye Workshop.
People have been arriving all afternoon and I am looking forward to seeing people I have met before and meeting new faces too. I have no idea or preconceived conceptions as to what I will learn these next three days. I am going forward with my mind , soul and ears open.
Eager to learn and open minded. I have read the work book and I can see many parallels with stories from holy books and fables from the mists of time. So I am ready to take a leap of faith.
Before the dawn of time
Before the flood
A man beast carved from spit and mud.
Taught a lesson to a king/ God
so fine.
So I may not be posting or reading as much for the next three days but I am thinking of you all.
This is a mystical moment from this past weekend spent in Cumbria with The Silent Eye. The weekend was entitled The Full Circle : Finding your way home.
It was late morning on the second day of the course and we visited a ring of stones and trees. Physically there were eight of us present, (one of our number was unwell) After a few moments instead of the space of this large place holding only eight people I was aware that I was caught up in a crowd of thousands of souls. I have a fear of crowds and I was afraid. One tree called to me and drew me to it.
I did confide this to one of my companions and she assured me, as the tree had done, that I was safe. There is more to tell.
Paul stopped at the turn in the road, he dismounted his bike. He shielded his eyes as he looked across the valley, the sun low in the sky almost blinding.
Things are turning he thought to himself. Not only weather wise, from Autumn to Winter but also from frosty gently rolling hills and fields to steep stark snow covered mountains.
Where was this journey taking him. He had been traveling for eighteen months now and how his life had changed. He had met so many amazing people along the way.
They had all given him food for thought and he too had unwittingly helped many of them too. This young man on a bike looking for answers and offering help were needed.
The chill in the air took his breath away for a moment. Yes he felt it, was this it , was this it? Was this the turning, had he found the answers he was searching for. …He did feel better he did feel at peace. Suddenly he was exhausted, he got back his bike and headed down the valley towards the mountains.
He saw the smoke from the house before he took the turn. He put his bike by the back door and knocked.
She opened the door and smiled. “Welcome home Paul ……”
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