Ping went my phone , it was the prompt from Linda for her SoCs this week. “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “tan/ten/tin/ton/tun.” Use one, use ’em all, use ’em any way you’d like. Bonus points if you manage to get four of them into your post. Have fun!“
“tan/ten/tin/ton/tun.
Image from chatgpt and me
Most days the stench from the Tannery got inside your head destroying your olfactory senses. Bob was ten when they moved into a room in the house next door to the tanhouse. At first he thought it was a lucky escape from temperature swings and the blackness of the tin mine where he’d worked on with his Da since he was five. Facing death daily for a pittance. They struggled by until the expected big disaster happened. Small disasters were a daily occurrence… Injury, maiming even death. Finally it happened the corridor he and Da were working in collapsed.Tons of earth and rock fell upon them …he was the only one of twenty five men and boys saved…Da had felt the signs the tun,tun,tun sounds as the area vibrated, he had felt that before. He knew what to do and shoved Bob to the end of the tunnel and laid across him to protect him. Ma got Bob a job at the tannery …she had five girls all under six and Bob the oldest and only boy had to work. He missed the walk home from the mine …he missed the fresh air he missed Da. He carried a ton of care on his young shoulders. But he’ll just keep going he must.
This week out host for Tanka Tuesday is Yvette . Who says ” We are at the end of March and at the precursor to the fun (and sometimes annoying) holiday of April Fools Day! There are many theories about how this holiday originated. For this week, write a poem about types of fools or fun or annoying pranks. Find a syllabic poetry form that works for you, and let your inspiration flow. Need help finding a form? Click here.
I have chosen to write an Abhanga poem. The fool is known to all and sadly around all year long.
Mockingly the knave bows, Golden mirrors shatter. Bombs drop, hear the clatter It is no joke.
I want it all he screams! Haha says the sad clown His words spreading a frown There’s nothing left.
Gone, blown to kingdom come Fuel no more a worry No sense left to parry Has fool the won?
Using my own instructions for Tanka Tuesday “To this week, choose any form you’d like to create. Let’s use synonyms for the words “love & passion.” That means you must not use the words love or passion in your poem, only synonyms for those words. I have chosen an Abhanga in any number of 4-line stanzas with 6-6-6-4 syllables each. L2 and L3 rhyme. The end rhyme scheme is abbc. It is customary to title your poem
Love & Passion
Her brown eyes said it all Fervently doted on me Her life she’d lay down free We were her all.
Defend me to the end I am her guiding light Her presence makes life bright God spelled backwards.
This week Colleen said:”🍃🍂 Your Tanka Tuesday challenge invitation is Synonyms Only. That means you have to select syllables for the two words below. Use must use the synonyms in your poem. Do NOT use the challenge words, only synonyms for them. If you write a freestyle poem, please include a syllabic form with it. 🍃🍂”
Yes honest and true and loyal were you always by my side. You taught me so much , through thick and thin you respond to my touch. I miss your brown eyes, the feel of your soft coat and wet nose so much.
. Well here we are at the castle Merlin, Morgarna and Gail are just about to embark on a new adventure . Now I have to warn you this is a sad one so you will need the tissues.
Morgarna stubbed out her cigarette as they crossed the threshold of the castle. She had to smile and raise an eyebrow at Merlin who was smiling back over the head of an excited Gail. As they entered the main hall Gail stood stock still, Morgarna made to move her along but Merlin shook his head and signaled to her to wait! “Hello” said Gail looking behind her and reaching out, as soon as she touched the being Morgarna and Merlin could see it too. Merlin got out the E.R. (Entity Reader) after scanning the being he said “Oh! Good she’s a benign being.”
The three turned to face the spirit it was a woman, she was obviously a noblewoman, her blue dress and head covering suggested riches.
Gail had felt an instant attraction to this gentle lady. There was something about her eyes that touched Gail deeply. Merlin, stepping forward and taking the lady’s hand he kissed it. ” May I ask your name my lady, I am Merlin, wizard, this is Morgarna sorceress and our ward the lady Gail” Merlin said inclining his head. Gail’s eyes beamed, as she thought to herself “their ward, the lady Gail” Morgarna caught her thoughts and winked at her. “Can we help you my lady we are here at your service.” Merlin continued. “I am Lady Gwyneth and sadly I am trapped here and I am so lonely I truly want to pass over and be with my loved ones ” the lady looked so sad that even Morgarna felt a tinge of pity for her as she lit another cigarette. “So” said Gail “how can we help you Lady Gwyneth, perhaps if you could tell us what happened? “
Lady Gwyneth bowed her head and closed her eyes . “Life was good my husband was a good man and we were so happy, I was expecting our first child I was walking in the rose garden which was to been seen from this arrow slit . “ Gwyneth had walked across the hall to an opening that now looked out on to the moat.
arrowslit
For visually challenged writers, the image shows an arrowslit looking out over a body of water, with an ancient stone wall and curved tower just visible.
“Things were just perfect and I was so very happy, the sun was shining the flowers scent was incredibly heady and I felt life was perfect. Then suddenly I felt a terrible pain in my belly I fell to the ground screaming with pain,… I felt wet, blood pouring out of me and I knew my baby was leaving me as was my life blood. “ Gail moved across the hall toward Gwyneth and put her arms around her and said “We will do all we can to rest your soul truly we will “
Morgarna had popped outside the castle and found a Café, she returned with four cups of tea she handed them around and said ” well Gywn what happened next? “ ‘I tried to call out” replied Gwyneth. ” But no sound came out of my mouth, as I got weaker laying there in the sun the beautiful scent of flowers all around me. I felt my life slipping out of me then I saw our beautiful son floating away from me. I had had no idea whether it was a boy or a girl until I saw him slipping away …. That’s when I gave up and the second I did I was up and running after our boy but I could not catch him! As I tried to hold on to him I heard my husband calling my name. I even felt his arms around me , I turned , I tried to go back to my beloved but I could not, I could not reach my baby or my husband. ” Gwyneth took a sip of the tea Morgarna had given her and continued. ” I was stuck there betwixt and between unable to reach either. Then I was lifted and spun round through what was like a black hole. Then I found myself here in the Great hall where I was stuck…. I could not leave I could not rest, I could leave, I could not sleep or rest all I could do was watch my beloved husband grief and grow angry and sower. He flooded my beautiful rose garden and set a most around the whole castle . Gail it was awful I watched him die from the inside out.” Gwyneth sank to the floor sobbing and Gail held her close. “Please Morgarna, Merlin we have to help we have to ” Gail’s eyes were full of tears her heart was breaking. Morgarna looked at Merlin ….. “Merls” she said ” We’ve got to help …”
Hi LindaGHill our host for JusJoJan has our latest prompt ready, she said: “Welcome to the daily prompt! Today is your thirteenth prompt for Just Jot it January 2023, and it’s brought to you by Sadje. Thank you, Sadje! Please be sure to visit Sadje’s blog to read her post and say hello. And follow her while you’re there, if you’re not already.
Our prompt for JusJoJan January 13th 2023, is “reversal.” Use the word “reversal” any way you’d like. Enjoy!If you’d like to see what Linda has on our prompt list, you can find it Here.
Reversal, to go back on yourself, your word, your direct, your options. Then there is role reversal that’s what I have chosen to look at today.
It happened between myself and the rest of my family and our Mum.
Also one of my sisters who was a senior nurse who taught many students became became helpless for the last year of her life and was in intensive care, became the patient and not the nurse.
Another sister’s husband had dementia and until he became too difficult to care for looked afer.
Reversal
I fed and bathed you I taught you to read and your numbers too I took you out in pram and pushchair When you needed me I was always there I saw you grow and graduate Marveled at your jobs and knowledge Watched you being parentd too You amazed me with each phase new. Suddenly it was clear I was lost not quite here You washed and fed me Found me help My turn to ride the pushchair You were all kind and you all were there. Fate had reversed the roles But the reversal, though harsh made us whole.
I was so inspired by savoringsixtyandbeyond‘s post this morning that I am reposting a letter I wrote to my parent’s full of the words I wish I had said to them more when they were alive. I loved them ,we all did and do and they knew that.
I don’t think I ever made it clear enough how much I appreciated what you did for me. It is only now as a parent and grandma that I see what you must have gone through.
Nine children you had, nine. You lost three but that was never your fault. How did you cope Mum it must have been hard, and Dad worse for you because in those days grieving was not the done thing. I lost three babies too I could not openly grieve either but you knew you silently gave me strength.
I am in awe of how you always managed to feed and dress us all. There was always food on the table and somehow the doors were always open to waifs and strays who needed help. No one was ever turned away from our door without help of some kind. I can remember there being an endless stream of family friends, or distant cousins with problems arriving on our doorstep. Some stayed longer than others but no one was ever turned away. I really don’t know how we all fitted into that three bed roomed terraced council house, it must of been like the TARDIS.
Who helped you, did anyone or did you have to struggle through, learning haphazardly! You, no doubt had to and that is why you were both such helpful parents. I am amazed at the sacrifices you must of made to keep us in clothes, shoes and food.
Dad, you worked as a body maker for LT making seats on the buses and tubes! Off to work at 5am and home at 5pm for dinner then 6pm the BBC News … silence reined! You then spent most of your evenings in the front room either at the table or your desk with your ancient typewriter. You had men and women visiting you , sometimes one sometimes more all coming for help and advice because you were a union rep and congressman for the NUVB ( National Union Of Vehicle Builders). The last visitor was about 10.30pm. At work you were a union rep you gave so much to others and yet you always saved so much for us. When you retired you were tapped out the length of the factory. ( All the men stood by their machines spanner or hamer in hand and tapped you out of the building, a sign of respect. ) You only live a year or so after retirement.
Mum you were such a gentle soul I miss you so, You left your body long before you died and that broke my heart because I could not reach you. I used to bring the boys to see you at the nursing home you spent your last years in… although I loved to see you it hurt that you did not know me and you did not see the boys growing up . I think you missed Dad so much that you left in soul leaving your shell behind. Mum remember Wimbledon week we had salad every evening because you loved the Tennis , funny thing Mum I can’t stand tennis! 🙂
You have both been gone so long and I miss you both so. I need you here to give me the strength , kindness and love. See even now I am asking for your help. I am so selfish, I was so angry when you died Mum because you were not there to talk to me and help me, do you know it took seven years to accept that you had really gone. Then the flood gates opened.
I have so many wonderful memories of you both. Getting up at 4.30am and sneaking down stairs to find you dad shaving in the kitchen, we would share your breakfast, porridge or boiled egg before you went off to work. Going with you to Chiswick Park on the tube on a Saturday. You would have a haircut while I sat and watched then maybe you would buy me an ice cream. Walking Steve the dog in the park … you always called him Brother …because of your union work no doubt .
Mum you were always there when I came home from school, always played with me , I was the youngest of the family and by a good while so I was almost like an only child but not because everyone else was around but I was too young to join them . I remember you telling me stories and teaching me to knit sew and crochet sadly all of which I am useless at! As I grew you helped me with life and although I never lived that near to you you always came to my aid if I needed you . When our first boy was born premature and unable to breathe you came down to stay with me when P finally came home from hospital. He did not know how to suck so you helped me to spoon feed him until we got him to use a teat. So many many things to thank you for .
Mum and Dad you took all six of us and taught us everything you knew. How to face the world, how to love how to be friendly, caring and honest. I like to think that you are watching over us all and hopefully being proud of us…. well mostly. . I like to think that our beautiful sister Mary is with you both after horrendous illness and death five years ago.
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!
They are not in there they have gone. Don’t search for the beautiful light that once shone, They are not themselves, their soul has fled Gone to us, to all purposes dead. How cruel, how mean, how so unkind To leave a feeble body and take a beautiful mind. There are no words that can truly describe The pain and fear of those trapped inside. They can not reason they know no rhyme They are gone and we are left behind. Recognition in the eyes is sadly mockery. This is no longer them, they are not who they used to be. Screams of anger, voices harsh with fists of hate You try so hard, you have so much on your plate. There is no more that you can do. They may be gone, still you try to be true.
Welcome to my “Heartland Echoes,” where I aim to share my poems with the world, along with my survival story and autobiography of childhood abuse, motivational quotes, and much more. Through my words, I hope to inspire others to share their own stories and experiences. Each poem is a piece of my heart and soul, along with a story of a traumatic past, crafted with inspiration, Hope, faith, love and passion. I believe that by sharing our art and emotions, I’ll be able to connect with others on a deeper level and create a sense of community.
willowdot21 
