Time Glass Challenge - Renga - December 15, 2014

Winter Wonderland

Christmas is near

in the sleepy Alpine vale

shops glitter with lights 

under low heavy grey skies

there’s a promise of snow

in that valley

among bare trees in the park

children play

their smiling elders watch on

as the first snow flakes fall

soon white

the slide and the swings

abandoned

kids run home for their sleds

some build funny snow men

Santa on the corner

rings his bell by a cauldron

asking for alms

to buy blankets and soup

for the poor and homeless

cold winter beauty

trees frosted in hoary white

the pond is like glass

an old man sells chestnuts

wrapped in brown paper bags

carolers sing

under the glow of lamp light

in crystal voices 

of good kings and shepherds

and white winter wonderlands 

 Christmas is near

kids build funny snow men

Santa asks for alms

an old man sells chestnuts

carolers sing winter songs *

© G.s.k. ‘14

* and ending variation .. what do you think?

Christmas is near
trees frosted in hoary white
shops glitter with lights
carolers sing winter songs
of winter wonderlands

This week’s challenge is to  write a chained poem (Renga) of maximum eight (8) stanza inspired on the image and the prompt WINTER WONDERLAND within 24 hours.  Linked to Carpe Diem Haiku Kai.

Guardian Angel - A Golden Sail (Auto Renga) - November 18, 2014

in stormy skies
menacing winds rack the sails
an angel watches

calming sailors souls in port
the angel placates their fear

a welcome sight
upon the opened seas
a golden light

(c) G.s.k. '14

This was a challenging prompt from Carpe Diem Haiku Kai ... here are our hosts haiku:

did I see an angel
or was it just the wind
moving clouds

© Chèvrefeuille

The above is the haiku which I've chosen to use as my inspiration.  Thinking of storms and the perils of sailing, I looked at this photograph I recently edited and thought that that golden sail in this black and white photo reminded me of a spirit ... or an angel guarding the safe harbor full of other boats.


For more of Chèvrefeuille's wonderful haiku and a haibun that he wrote on this subject go HERE.

"A Dream Within A Dream" - Writing with Jen - November 5, 2014

an autumnal walk
reflecting on springs gone by
- blackbirds always sing

don't reflect on tomorrows
life's an ephemeral dream

life is illusion
as the noble Buddha says -
t'is a dream we dream

illusions in illusions
tomorrows in yesterdays

sand in an hour glass
each grain a second of life
- slipping quickly by

(c) G.s.k. '14

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Today's Ghost Writer at Carpe Diem Haiku Kai is Jen from Blog it or Lose It!
Jen gives us a brief introduction to one of my favorite writers Edgar Allen Poe ... here is the poem which she put on her post for today's challenge and inspiration:

            A DREAM WITHIN A DREAM.

Take this kiss upon the brow!

And, in parting from you now,

Thus much let me avow—

You are not wrong, who deem

That my days have been a dream;

Yet if hope has flown away

In a night, or in a day,

In a vision, or in none,

Is it therefore the less gone?

All that we see or seem

Is but a dream within a dream.

I stand amid the roar

Of a surf-tormented shore,

And I hold within my hand

Grains of the golden sand—

How few! yet how they creep

Through my fingers to the deep,

While I weep—while I weep!

O God! can I not grasp

Them with a tighter clasp?

O God! can I not save

One from the pitiless wave?

Is all that we see or seem

But a dream within a dream?

 

Linked to Carpe Diem Haiku Kai