The Sunday Muse 162 — White Mums

Puzzled crow envies the puddled stillness of the moon tonight.
Even clouds flee the stale smell of worm castings after the storm.
Your screams were silenced in thunder; white mums will grace your tombstone.

 

Today’s offering is in the form of a Sijo, a three-line poem that is believed to have first appeared in fourteenth-century Korea.

 

Carrie is today’s host of The Sunday Muse.

43 Comments Add yours

  1. Sadje's avatar Sadje says:

    Fantastic picture Li.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Thank you, Sadje, it’s the image given by the prompter.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sadje's avatar Sadje says:

        My pleasure! Great image.

        Liked by 1 person

  2. hdwoonie23's avatar Helen Dehner says:

    Lisa, a breathtaking form … a poem to match its beauty …. I felt the crow’s puzzlement as well.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Thank you, Helen, there is always puzzlement I think at an unexpected death :(

      Like

  3. Badfinger (Max)'s avatar badfinger20 (Max) says:

    Love the picture Lisa…the last line is awesome.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      It is a very cool picture I agree. The Sunday Muse always has good ones. Thank you :)

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Carrie V. H.'s avatar Carrie V. H. says:

    I love this form Lisa and the soft message it holds Beautiful!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Carrie, thank you very much!

      Like

  5. Lisa's avatar Lisa says:

    I love that! I almost wrote a Sijo also, but my poem/s wanted to be shorter. Lisa’s thought alike with this prompt!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Thank you very much, Lisa!

      Like

  6. an intriguing poem (I always admire your stabs at different poetry forms) and the contrast final line that turns – a great leap of imagination here Lisa

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Laura, thank you for reading and your wonderful comment. One thing I am learning about the various forms is the process directs the content.

      Like

  7. memadtwo's avatar memadtwo says:

    Wonderful imagery. I especially like the puddled stillness. (K)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Thank you, K. It’s such an evocative image!

      Liked by 1 person

  8. wyndolynne's avatar wyndolynne says:

    This gives me the shivers! Amazing hints of story in these lines.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Thank you and I’m glad you connected with the poem.

      Like

  9. Jewish Young Professional "JYP"'s avatar jewishyoungprofessional says:

    Such beautiful imagery here!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Thank you very much!

      Like

  10. Unknown's avatar Anonymous says:

    That’s brilliant. A visual delight indeed :)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Thank you, “Someone” :)

      Like

  11. gillena's avatar gillena says:

    Luv the resonance of colour and mystery you abstracted from the photo

    Happy Sunday

    Much💚love

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Thank you, Gillena, it was a good one to write to.

      Like

  12. qbit's avatar qbit says:

    “Even clouds flee the stale smell of worm castings after the storm” – that is great. Very unexpected and evocative.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Thanks, qbit.

      Like

  13. Sherry Marr's avatar Sherry Marr says:

    I love that you wrote in this interesting form, which I had not heard of. Very cool.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      I learned about it from Peter Frankis in a dVerse prompt. Glad you enjoyed the form, Sherry, thank you :)

      Like

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Fabulous, Marion!

      Like

  14. writingwhatnots's avatar writingwhatnots says:

    Love this poem. I hope it’s OK, I have linked it on my blog. This is the first time I have posted on this forum – thank you for leading me to it :)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      100% ok to link the poem in your blog and so delighted to have inspired you to visit The Sunday Muse *and* to write a Sijo to the image! You are very welcome.

      Liked by 1 person

  15. robtkistner's avatar robtkistner says:

    Darkness to this Lisa — I like!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Thank you, Rob! I left her death a mystery. The white mums symbolize grief so it seems that the writer is sad to see her gone one way or another.

      Like

  16. Nice take on the image. Your words are very evocative. Thanks for the link. I may try to write something.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Thank you, Ken. I would love to see you write something with this form.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I was thinking about sijo today, when I wrote my senryū. I’ve only used the form twice – once 4 years ago, and again this past April.
        https://rivrvlogr.com/category/sijo/

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

          Both excellent and intimate poems. It doesn’t surprise me you’ve put the form to good use.

          Liked by 1 person

  17. Jim's avatar Jim says:

    Perfect for after our stormy and rainy days here (Katy, Texas).
    ..

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Glad you liked the poem, Jim, thanks.

      Like

  18. Susie Clevenger's avatar Susie Clevenger says:

    Dark and delightful!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar msjadeli says:

      Thanks much, Susie!

      Like

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