Kneeling in church, as he whooshes by in his blood red brocade she breathes cinnamon and flounders between heaven and earth. He glances her beatific form in passing. For him it is her ginger locks, rolling down her slender back against the vanilla cream gown. Unholy unions will be revealed and punished. They have a summer.
white skin reddens as
tinder crackles blue-orange,
licking sinful flesh;
prominent on the altar
the damned, joined eternally
Top image: Picture credit: Britta Benson. This photograph was taken inside St. Cecilia’s Church (built in 1739), Heusenstamm, Germany.
Merril is today’s host of dVerse’ Poetics. Merril says:
Write a poem (in any form) in response to the challenge: to pick three or more words from the spice list above to use in your poem. I chose cinnamon, ginger, and vanilla.
Colleen is the host of Word Craft Poetry’s Tanka Tuesday. Colleen says:
Britta Benson selected the image this week. It’s an interesting photo. Remember, we can see what’s in the image, so write your poem using the image as an inspiration. Don’t just describe what you see in the photo.
Tao Talk 
Oh! This unholy union. I can’t quite decide if this is two “sinners,” or something more evil. I love how you worked the spice words in, Lisa. Thank you!
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Thank you, Merril. From my perspective, it’s an indictment more than anything, and not against the lovers.
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Oh, I see. 🙂 I didn’t read it that way, and I guess the image swayed me toward horror.
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I love the phrase ‘breathes cinnamon and flounders between heaven and earth’ and the gorgeous medieval imagery.
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Thank you, Kim!
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This is incredibly potent! I love how seamlessly you weave in the spices here, Lisa 💘💘
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Thank you, Sanaa. There is something about the scent of cinnamon!
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“the damned joined eternally”…such a powerful statement and your use of spices was so evocative, Li!
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Thanks much, Punam. I’m sure those who burned them at the stake thinks it’s in hell…
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Well, they can think what they want…
You are welcome.
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A striking piece that conjures up different scenarios, layers and stories. Especially like the way this line holds so much more to be imagined….”Unholy unions will be revealed and punished.”
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Mish, thank you very much.
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Lisa, this is stunning! I love how you combined the prompts. It works so well. ❤️
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Thanks much, Colleen :)
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🥰
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The sense of smell is so powerful. It is clever, the way you’ve used both prompts together, and created something that really draws you in.
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Thanks, Sarah!
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An intriguing combination of your words for this tanka prose. Enjoyed
much💛love
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Gillena, thank you very much.
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This unholy union was delicious. I enjoyed it a lot.
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Chris, so happy you enjoyed it. Thank you!
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Nice words you used 👌
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Thank you, Kartik.
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Well done, Lisa. Your writing has a way of evoking so many feelings in a very short space. 🌞
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Thanks much, Lisa :)
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WOW! Intense.
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Susan, thank you!
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Pretty intense poem, Lisa! When I think of church and smell, I still remember my first communion in Catholic church. The incense the priest was using really made me nauseous. Evidently, it showed. My parents told me afterwards I was growing very pale! :-)
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Thanks, Christian. I think this was something other than incense she picked up on. So sorry to hear you had an unpleasant church experience — but you lived to tell the tale! ;)
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Floundering between heaven and earth…that’s such a sensual image on its own. The spice colors add to that feeling too. (K)
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Thanks much, Kerfe.
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Masterfully done Li.
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Sadje, thank you!
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Always a pleasure
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I loved this, Lisa. The Tanka is great when one needs more than the Haiku can say. I haven’t written one for a long time, must do. Perhaps a spine Tanka, they are a bit harder.
..
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Glad you enjoyed it, Jim. What’s a spine Tanka? Never heard of it.
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That was intense – this union hints at struggle – it does seem what might transpire will be unholy.
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Thanks for reading and for sharing what you see in it.
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You took this one down a dark path… Interesting picture! I love the song. I also like Johnny Cash’s version.
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Dwight that picture was part of Colleen’s prompt and agree it is a very interesting picture. So strange it is displayed in a church in Germany! Yes, Johnny does a great version of that song also. Thanks, Dwight.
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:>)
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the way you included spices in this is gorgeous. yes, yes, good choices. I was a little on the scared side with this one. but still enjoyed your amazing creative prowess. Wow. Thanks for sharing. Blessing you.
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Selma, thank you very much. So many evil acts are carried out in the name of religion.
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Wow, Lisa… this is inspired. I would never have thought to combine these two particular prompts! An excellent, excellent write.
<3
David
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Thanks much, David <3
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Deliciously written Lisa. ‘For him it is her ginger locks, rolling down her slender back against the vanilla cream gown. ‘ I wasn’t sure what was going to happen next which made it so exciting.
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Delighted that you were excited by the story, Christine. Thank you :)
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This had a Scarlet Letter feel to it. I laughed though, when thinking along food and taste lines, I read ‘unholy onions’.
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LOL!
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Excellent piece Lisa — and killer tune my friend! 👍🏼✌🏼❤️
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Thank you, Rob, and I am not surprised you like that tune.
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What a dark and spicy wordsmith you are today! Well done, Ms. Lisa.
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Thanks, Helen. Tis the season, when the air begins to cool…
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Great use of words Lisa…and phrasing.
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Thank you, Max! Another long day at the office?
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Yes…a good busy but busy all the same.
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Glad it’s a good busy. It’s been a busy week here also. Tomorrow will be another long, but fun day. Friday a little less.
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Yea we are kind of rudderless becasue we will have to find someone who knows Microsoft Azure in depth. Zach (my assistant) and I are figuring things out so far…but it takes time.
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Never even heard of Microsoft Azure! A new program?
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Oh…instead of physical servers…everything is in the cloud now. We went from 2003 server to Azure now…basically everything is cloud based. TJ was our consultant for the past two years…he knew this stuff like the back of his hand… I’m taking what he taught me and moving along…but it is a slow process because of second guessing myself.
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Best of luck to you. Maybe between you and your assistant you’ll figure it out. Hoping MS tech support can also help you??
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Oh no…they are so so slow to respond. Microsoft wants you to get a consultant… I’ll find someone or some company if we get stuck.
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I’m sure you’ll get yourself through it one way or another. Have a good night. I’m off to watch a movie.
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Have a good night Lisa.
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What an amazing poem! Well done! :-)
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Many thanks :)
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Wow!! I’m happy I read this piece atleast now. This is mine blowing, Li. :)
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Thanks, Kitty!
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I meant mind blowing*. :)
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Reminds me of a ‘Bodice Ripper’ paper back – that doesn’t have a very happy ending!
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Jules thanks! :)
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