Tag Archives: inspiration

Shifting and Changing – Poetry Challenge – a Tanka

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Some busy months have passed, and so it’s been some time since I participated in Colleen’s Weekly Poetry Challenge. I am all the more happy to post this Tanka today.
Colleen’s prompts were PLAN and INSPIRATION – as always with the catch to only use synonyms. I used the words schedule and whim.

Granted, my week is not as carefree as the poem might suggest. Still, I think a little flexibility in our plans is a good thing. You might want to check out my post about Bullet Journals for Authors here.

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Picture: Ingo Rammer, Isle of Skye, 5:30am view from Quirang down to Staffin Bay

~Shifting and Changing~

My weekly schedule,
more a guideline than a rule,
adapts to my whims,
in the spur of the moment,
in the flux of time and space.

Forging Our Luck – A Haibun/Tanka

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It’s time for the weekly poetry challenge, brought to you by Colleen (77th installment.)
This week’s (non)prompt words were CHARM and TIME. I’ve done a lot of Tanka poems recently, but today I opted for the Haibun form, this time a double Tanka reflecting the prose. Enjoy!

DSC01376 Picture: Schiessentümpel waterfall, Mullerthal, Luxembourg; IR-June 2017

~Forging Our Luck~
The world’s prime attribute is to be a never ceasing flux, the future constantly changing, challenging old habits and notions. This is good. It’s how we evolve as human beings, as nations, as mankind.
At times, those currents run low and hidden from sight, working their magic on a subtle level like a river licking away its icy confines come spring. Slowly, but steadily.
At times, it’s less gentle.
At times, something trips and the pent-up power of change breaks through and ripples the polished surface of established routines. With a vengeance, it forces us to assess our reality anew. Hopefully, we evolve to a better kind of ourselves, to a more magnanimous future.

At times, perception
Shifts and points our attention
To the core issue
Hidden beneath a layer
Of old, stifling conventions.

If ever the day
Was ripe for change, it is now.
I see a new age
Dawning, rising, bewitching,
Pushing ahead, undaunted.

Weekly #Tanka Tuesday – Challenge #72

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This is my poem for Colleen’s weekly poetry challenge.
The (no)prompt words were breakthrough and movement. I used gain for breakthrough and stirring+shifting for movement.

Once again, the picture was taken by my husband on last Saturday’s walk through Weingartener Moor – a marsh near Karlsruhe, Germany.

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~Heart, watch your step~

Treacherous prospects,
Just off the path, beckon me,
Stirring and shifting,
Luring me with foolish gain.
Head, hold my step, hold my step!

Keep me safe and sane,
Above the tricky mire,
Where false desire
Threatens to lead me astray.
Heart, watch your step, watch your step!

Sometimes we stall, procrastinate, dally…and wonder how fast a day, a week, a month goes by. But even more often, we try to do too many things at once instead of focussing on one thing, the actual goal, savoring it to the fullest.
Sure, the possibilities creeping up along the path are tempting. That’s life. Sometimes opportunities are too good to pass on. But still, we need to apply caution when and where to deviate from the plotted path as to not get lost.

 

First SCBWI Meeting of 2018

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It had been too long, really! I missed out on the meetings of SCBWIAustriaGermany chapter for the last two times (NaNoWriMo and December-holiday-season did not allow me much time), Yesterday, finally, I was headed to Stuttgart to see my fellow writers and, as always, it was a great success.

We met at our usual spot in Stuttgart library, eight ladies in all, and discussed our work. There’s nothing as inspiring as talking to likeminded people about new ideas and see how far others have come, how well their work is progressing and getting feedback on your own project.

During the day I read a number of PB manuscripts that I’ve seen as mere ideas, read at various stages along the road, and that are nearly perfected now. I’ve read a promising idea of a dystopian story and can’t wait to see it grow into a full-fledged manuscript.

Special shout-out to one of our members for a promising honorary mention in SCBWI’s Undiscovered Voices Competition. Even if the manuscript did not make it to the finalist this time, I’m absolutely sure it’s bound to happen soon. Fingers crossed!

And to all SCBWI members here in the Austria/Germany chapter as well as all SCBWI folks around the globe: I am proud to be part of your open and friendly community, happy to give feedback and grateful to receive comments on my own work.

Until next month, ladies!