This week our very own Polymath Robbie, is our host for this week’s #TankaTuesday challenge.
Robbie says: “This week, we’re writing poetry that includes a story.
This week Robbie is asking us to write a story poem that includes a beginning, middle and ending. Your poem should have a minimum of three stanzas but can have more if you prefer.
We can write our story poem using any of the syllabic forms suggested by Colleen here:
If you would like a visual inspiration for your story poem, Dan Antion is hosting his annual Thursday Doors Writing Challenge. He has a selection of lovely photographs contributed by various bloggers you can use as inspiration here:
I have chosen to write my as a chain Butterfly Cinquain . This form isn’t a cinquain at all:it is a nonostich (9 lines)and uses the syllable count of the Crapsey Cinquain and then reverses it, therefore the misnomer. The Butterfly Cinquain is: ○ 9 line poem. ○ syllabic, 2/4/6/8/2/8/6/4/2 syllables per line. unrhymed.
Ozzie’s Tale.
In the Door, out the door. Magic can just happen Toys old become new passing through. The door White, plain, step in be young again There’s tender love and care Step though the door Magic
Ozzie Was so tired He was old, very old Stuffing had burst out of his feet Jingles His, best friend, knew just what to do “Visit the bears hospital They will take care Of you.”
Ozzie Wrapped safe in box Went by mail to Devon Arrived safe at the hospital For bears ‘Oh! A special rabbit” they cried “He’s a rare one, pink eyed We’ll take great care Of him.”
He was Washed and mended His clothes gently repaired Eyes tightened, nose and mouth restitched A smile Lovingly repaired his stuffing They gave him clean new feet Found his label Cleaned it.
Returned Reunited With Jingles looking new On his right foot stitched his label So proud Ozzie feels revitalised now Home now with his best friend Never to leave Again.
Sadje asks “Does this picture inspire you to write something?“
For the visually challenged reader, this image shows a pair of hiking boots suspended in the air. They both are facing in different directions and it seems as if they are worn on feet attached to invisible legs!
*****
I trained as a window dresser and I loved the job. Shoes and boots were always a fun challenge. We were taught to catch the eye, to stop passers by in their tracks.
The use of perspex stands and wires always helped to create an illusion of movement. We were taught to always show the best side of the footwear so the out side of the shoe always visible because it had better lines than the inside of the shoe. Occasionally you would do something magical using your imagination and clever props and feel real pride.
Image Credit; Karsten Winegeart @ Unsplash
Catch their eye Make the ordinary fly Call them in off the street Give them magic to adorn their feet. Wires and perspex your tools To bend the reality, break the rules. It’s all there the magic in your hands You show them , make their plans.
This is the third week of the summer solstice season. Every two weeks, or so, we move into another season in the 24 Japanese Seasons HERE.
This week: Your writing invitation is to choose one of the 24 Forms for your poem. You can use the kigo words and phrases from the Part I challenge post HERE, or you can use the phrases Colleen has created below:
Below are three kigo phrases for the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Use one kigo phrase in each of your three poems in whatever order you’d like.
This week the prompt songs about Toys. So I have picked two songs entitled Little Tin Soldier…. From different years, different genre’s, one from a group and one from a solo artist and both based on a story written by Hans Christian Anderson.
When I was fourteen I was a regular attendee at the BBC’s weekly chart show Top of The Pops at Lime Grove Studios. I used to with my friend Anne … We loved that time and met many groups and stars among them the Small Faces. Here is Tin Soldier by them , the video though is not of T.O.T. Ps but from ITVs rival show Ready, Steady Go. If your quick you will spot the iconic hosts Cathy McGowan and Keith Fordyce
“Tin Soldier” is a song released by the English rock band Small Faces on 2 December 1967, written by Steve Marriott (credited to Marriott/Lane). The song peaked at number nine in the UK singles chart and number 38 in Canada. It has since been covered by many other notable rock artists.
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Tin Soldier was originally written by Steve Marriott for singer P.P. Arnold, but Marriott liked it so much he kept it himself. It was a song that he wrote to his first wife, Jenny Rylance. P.P. Arnold can be heard singing backing vocals on the song and also performed as guest singer at television recordings of the song. The song signalled a return to the band’s R&B roots whilst continuing their forays into psychedelic rock and other musical experiments. When Tin Soldier was released the BBC informed the band that the last line of the song had to be removed from all TV and radio broadcasts, mistakenly believing that Marriott sang “sleep with you”, when in fact the lyric is “sit with you”. Marriott explained that the song was about “getting into someone’s mind—not their body”. Tin Soldier reached number nine in the UK Singles Chart and remains one of Small Faces’ best known songs.
Talking about the song, and the influence of his wife Jenny, Marriott stated:
The meaning of the song is about getting into somebody’s mind—not their body. It refers to a girl I used to talk to all the time and she really gave me a buzz. The single was to give her a buzz in return and maybe other people as well. I dig it. There’s no great message really and no physical scenes.
The song seems to have been influenced by Hans Christian Andersen‘s fairy tale The Steadfast Tin Soldier, the story of an imperfect tin soldier’s desire for a paper ballerina. The opening lyric is “I am a little tin soldier that wants to jump into your fire”.
Upon reaching No. 73 in the U.S. with this single, their label Immediate Records abandoned its attempts to penetrate the American market. “Tin Soldier” would ultimately be the last song performed live by the Small Faces during their original incarnation; It was performed on 8 March 1969 at Springfield Ballroom (now demolished and replaced by the football stand of Springfield Stadium) in Jersey. Imformation Wik
C’mon!
I, am a little tin soldier That wants to jump into your fire You are a look in your eye A dream passing by in the sky
But I don’t understand And all I need, is treat me like a man ‘Cause I ain’t no child Take me like I am
I got to know that I belong to you I do anything that you want to do I’ll sing any so song that you want me to sing to you
I don’t need no aggravation I just got to make you Got, I said listen, I just got to make you, yes, my occupation
I got to know that I belong to you I’d do anything that you want to do I’d sing any song that you want me to sing to you
All I need is your whispered hello Smiles melting the snow nothing heard Your eyes are deeper than time Say a love that won’t rhyme without words
So now I’ve lost my way I need help to show me things to say Give me your love before mine fades away
I got to know that I belong to you Do anything that you want to do Sing any song that you want me to sing to you
Oh, no, no Oh, no, no I just want some reaction Someone to give me satisfaction All I want to do is stick with you ‘Cause I love you
In 1965 I was twelve years old, I loved fairytales and Donovan among others…. So what could have been more perfect?
From Donovan’s 1965 Album Fairytale Little tin soldier is the beautiful retelling of the Hans Christian Anderson tale The Steadfast Tin Soldier. A lovely story worth the read.
Once in a town in the black forest a little white toy-shop stood. And the little tin soldier with only one leg lived in a castle of wood. And across the room on another shelf stood a little glass case, And a tiny ballerina lived in there all in her dress of lace. And from where the little tin soldier stood they could see each other so clear And the little tin soldier watched over her with a love that was so dear. Then one day sadness came: the tiny ballerina was sold. The little tin soldier was thrown away and into the gutter he rolled. The water carried him to the sea and many far-off lands. He made many children happy as he passed through their tiny hands. And then one day they met again in a house in the land of Eire And when the clocks on the wall struck the midnight hour They jumped into a fire And in that fire they shall stay Forever in the day. For the fire, Lord, is the fire of love, Just like the peaceful dove.
It’s January 4th and today is our fourth prompt for Just Jot it January 2024. Today’s prompt is brought to us by Wendy. Thank you, Wendy! Please be sure to visit Wendy’s blog to read her posts and say hello. And follow her while you’re there, if you’re not already.
Your prompt for JusJoJan January 4th, 2024 is “captivating.” Use the word “captivating” any way you’d like. Enjoy!
Here is the butterfly girl, Eyes alive feelings a twirl You cannot look away, Your captivated caught in her sway.
Knowledge beyond bounds takes you by surprise It’s all there, reflected in her eyes. Silver elusive dancing motes of dust Shades of gold, amber and rust. Halo like dance around her head,
What is she thinking how can you tell? Beware, she will slip you under her spell. Here she is the butterfly girl She has you caught in a twirl
Hazel brown eyes so captivating She will hypnotize with her bling Sun bright colours like fractals of light Lull you to peace as your senses take flight.
Gayly she thrashes her colourful skirts about The butterfly girl, watch out for her pout. She is looking for a mate Will it be you she will captivate.
Viviane stooped over the two prone figures of Morgarna and Morgause and whispered some magic words she then sprinkled some herbs around the two women putting wild garlic flowers about their heads and feet and laying white lilies on their chests. “That will protect them and I know Morgarna is strong enough to bring them both out!” “Why didn’t you tell us what you had planned ” asked Merlin, even though he knew the answer. Viviane gave him a knowing look and replied, “You know she would not of come willingly not even for her sister.” Merlin agreed, he knew this to be true. He stood looking at the two women on the bed…. Viviane moved across and took his hand , “we need to leave them to fight Morgause’s demons you and I have have demons of our own to lay.” With one last look over his shoulder Merlin left the chamber to spend a night with his lover from before time.
Morgarna awoke to her sister’s voice calling her at first she could not make anything out. It’s was dark and cold as her eyes grew accustomed to the lack of light she saw it was snowing heavily and that they appeared to be in the middle of nowhere. Slowly she moved towards the sound of Morgause’s voice. Suddenly there she was Infront of her. “Morgarna at last where have you been I have been calling you for eons!” Ignoring Morgause’s question Morgarna replied ” Where are we sister?” “I don’t know but I seem to have been alone here forever and it’s so cold and the snow never stops and I am so tired of being alone.. are you really, are you truly here …. Morgarna, answer me ”
Morgarna took a deep breath and then took a good look around it was dark and snowing and cold and as she looked at Morgause she could see absolute terror in her eyes. “Right Sis I see a light up there and you look frozen” that said she took her bag from her shoulder and found a fur cape which she wrapped around Morgause. When Morgause felt Morgarna’s touch and the warmth of fur she relaxed….”Morgs” she whispered,” it is you or really is isn’t” ” Yes it is and I am here to get you out of here…. You’ve been here for over year and all that Viviane’s magic has been for nought!”
As they approached the light they saw it was an old mill. The main thing Morgarna noticed was that not only were they surrounded by but also that they were being followed by snowmen. “Morgause how long have these snowmen been here? “ “Ever since I arrived Morgs , they just keep multiplying… They are rather scary aren’t they?” Morgarna didn’t answer they had reach the door of mill and Morgarna open the door and led the way in, “close the door Morgause” she said.
As Morgause shut the door they were struck by the warmth of the place and the fact that it was decorated for Christmas, complete with Christmas tree, snowman,lights and sledges. In the center of the little lawn in front of the, for want of a better description, Christmas Grotto, was a hare. Morgarna could feel the hairs on the back of her neck standing up!! It was not safe in here she caught hold of Morgause’s arm and whispered keep as alert as you can…. And don’t trust anything you see.
Grotto – Xmas.
For visually challenged writers, the image shows a grotto featuring a snowman and a christmas tree.
Hi again this week this episode comes with a warningof adult content. Nothing gratuitous but it’s relative to the story we started last week.
The ambulances had arrived silently and Morgarna was pleased to see that her request for both crews to be female had been respected. The paramedics approached both of the girls and gently pursuaded them to get into the back of the vehicles, the girls refused to be separated so much to Morgarna’s relief the crews took both girls into the same ambulance. The police arrived all blues an two but at least no sirens. The paramedics and police had chat and a couple of detectives followed the ambulances back towards the hospital.
Two senior officers approached Morgarna as she walked back toward the house after seeing the girls off. “You can’t go in there miss, miss, can I have your name…miss!” The younger officer raised his voice, as the other man reached out and touched Morgarna’s arm. “Excuse me, please” Morgarna bristled, as she turned around comming face to face with the detectives she fixed them both with her eyes. Doing so she put everything she had discovered and seen into their minds carefully leaving out exactly how to get down to the tunnel, cells and pit. She would trigger that information in about 24 hrs. Also telling them that she was going downstairs into the tunnels beneath the house and that they did not need to follow her yet. With a wave of her hand she left them standing outside the house taking in all the information she had given them. The s.o.c.o. team were busy working through the house, none of them noticed the woman in black pass through their mist and disappear down the stairs to the basement. Sealing doors behind her.
Morgarna entered the cell where the man was still laying prostrate on the cold floor….he was quiet now but he’d obviously been struggling because his wrists were cut and bleeding and the trousers around his ankles too were stained with blood where he’d been fighting against the wires Morgarna had tied him up with. “Well it stinks in here” she said as she approached him, “Oh! look you’ve messed yourself “ Struggling to turn his head he hissed back, “What do you expect I have been here hours and I am bleeding, release my wrists!” “Beg” replied Morgarna. “Who are you, you’ve broken my arm at least…. What are you?” “I’ve answered that earlier, I’m your worst nightmare.” Morgarna got her a knife out of her bag and bent down to the evil smelling creep and whispered “The police are upstairs but it’s going to take them at least 24 hours to find you ….so let’s make you comfortable.” A wicked look crossed her face and her old magic ways filled her mind as she looked upon the pathetic specimen in front of her. He was shaking now, in pain, cold and exposed he tried to lash out at her but he only hurt himself more. He started to shout abuse at her and spit . “Now” hissed Morgarna “struggle if you like but you’ll only hurt yourself more” as she lit a cigarette and blew smoke in his eyes she waved the knife at his manhood and smiled… “Perhaps I could remove those balls… you’re not going to need them in prison are you?….Make as much noise as you like they won’t hear you as you have said to your victims no one can hear you this place is sealed and soundproof. “ Fear engulf the man on the floor as he squirm and closed his eyes and waited for the pain.
Just as Morgan had hold of her prize and the knife poised about to cut the Anomaly appeared! “No shit, not now.. Really WTF!” The Anomaly had arrived and Morgarna had to jump she had no option! Making sure she had a good hand full she jumped reluctantly just letting go as she heard him screaming loud enough… leaving him bruised but whole.
Just as Morgan had hold of her prize and the knife poised about to cut the A Anomaly appeared! “No shit not now….. Really WTF! “ The Anomaly had arrived and Morgarna had to jump she had no option! Making sure she had a hand full she jumped reluctantly just letting go as she heard him screaming… leaving him bruised but whole.
Morgarna landed with the knife still in hand, back in the lab… A startled Merlin stepped quickly out of her way and opened his mouth. “Your bath is ready and we have Chinese on its way babes” Morgarna flew over and holding Merlin by the throat said “Don’t babes me arsehole ” with a massive shove she sent him flying as she marched off to her bathroom, shouting, no warning, no information no nothing….no F##king more!!!! “ As she reached her bathroom door Gail was there and handed her a triple Bacrdi and coke which Morgarna took as she slammed the door behind her!
The next morning at breakfast, Merlin was very quiet as Morgarna entered the kitchen Gail and Roseanna both looked round to greet her.”Okay I have calmed down a tad and even you’re safe Merlin” adding under her breath “for now” “We need to debrief now. ” Merlin said in-between mouthfuls of toast. “Okay” Morgarna replied shooting all the information over to Merlin at such speed his head jerked backwards! He looked her in the eye, a look that said I have limits don’t push me too far! Roseanna handed Morgarna a plate of pancakes and said “I have visited the girls weekly, two years into the future and even though they still have problems they are coping well. Their families have been amazing. They still remember you Morgarna they call you the black angel, they still see you in their dreams.” “Really they still see me? and you can travel into the future now with your lucid dreams?” “Yes Merlin has upgraded me?” Roseanna ended with a smile. “Hum! ” Morgarna said lighting a cigarette and pouring a coffee. “He would anything so he doesn’t have to do anything to get his hands dirty!” Merlin opened his mouth to protest, all three women looked at him and he shut up! “And that shit what’s the story with the perve? “ “Well babes , as you made sure they won’t find him until tomorrow evening he’s in a bad way but he’ll survive. Rosanna has checked in on him twice and he’s a mess just like his captives were but he’ll survive, unlike most of them. There’s a trial and he goes to prison for the rest of his life…. he’ll end up in a mental asylum and meets a sticky end in ten years time. He’ll really suffer Morgarna!” “How many young girls died at his hands…” Morgarna asked. “Twenty …” Replied Merlin. “Why didn’t we go in before Why?” Merlin poured himself a coffee and said ” We can’t know about things until they show up …. Those are the rules!”
Tour
A week later Morgarna took a jump five years into the future, as she landed she found herself in the stairwell of big tour bus in a busy London street. She climbed the stairs and took a seat at the back of the bus. Further up the bus she saw a large group people… among them she recognised the two girls she had rescued. One was a confident 21year old and the other a beautiful 17 year old. Both girls looked happy and relaxed with their families and if she was not mistaken their partners…. Just then both girls spotted Morgarna sitting at the back of the bus. Morgarna smiled and raised her hand….they both smiled back and mouthed “THANK YOU” Morgarna got up to go as the girls turned back to the group. As she went down the stairs of the bus she felt her eyes and cheeks were wet… She wiped her hand across her face…tears … really tears…. She hadn’t cried in eons! And then she jumped.
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 
