Conduit
Each morning I sit with first cuppajoe, notebook, and pen; one cat on my lap and one beside. Between the beginning of July and the end of August, one poem per day has been committed to be written for a poetry postcard festival. By mid-August the creative process is feeling forced. I’ve written poems about the usual suspects: nature, cats, and politics. I begin to contemplate the unthinkable: has the juice from them been fully extracted? Feeling frustrated and impatient, I wonder what topic I will search for inspiration for the next two weeks.
I don’t write for a few days. I pedal along bicycle paths. I paddle through still bayou waters. I finger through fantasy pages. I step through dreams. Unbidden, the answer lays itself at my feet.
writing means
I have to trust the process
let go
become a conduit to the sacred
waiting to speak through me
Colleen Chesebro is the host of TankaTuesday. Colleen says:
Your writing invitation is to write tanka prose with me! The use of the kigo words are OPTIONAL. If they work for your poem, use them.
Tao Talk 
This is lovely and so relatable, Lisa!
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Eugi, thank you :) I wrote the tanka this morning while daydreaming and a little later I wondered if I could build some prose to go with it.
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You’re welcome, Lisa.
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I can so relate to this Lisa! I do that with songs…the reason I don’t have 100 or more is because when I force songs…nothing good comes from it.
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Max, happy you follow this way of creative output. It really works.
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I love how you surrendered to your muse.
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An imprisoned Muse isn’t a happy one. Thanks much, Sadje <3
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Very true. It wants to be free.
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Excellent. Sometimes a break is both necessary and welcome.
And I got your cuppa Joe postcard today–thanks! My morning routine too–coffee and writing (and wish I could have cats…) (K)
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Thanks, K. I’ve spent more time with my kids (and grandbaby) this summer than I have in years. Spinning a Henley line, “I thank whatever Gods may be for my most grateful soul.”
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A good way always to spend one’s time.
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and you’re such a good conduit and relayer of the beauty that arises from that place from where poems come. Like this one—beautiful. Like a breathe of fresh September evening air. Thanks, Lisa. Blessings.
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What a lovely thing to say, Selma <3
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Heartfelt ✊
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I hear ya, sista!
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<3
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Lisa, I love these connections!! Your answer coming through the tanka portion of this poem really adds to the meaning of your writing angst. I love how this turned out. Your tanka is so good in the s/l/s/l/l form! 🧡
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Colleen, thank you so much for the feedback. I haven’t written much tanka prose, but I guess I had better get some practice in <3
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I love tanka. It’s easier to write than haiku is. Plus, each line can share a concise image or thought. I like to use a pivot, but it’s not necessary. You’re so welcome. Tanka prose is about connections. Haibun is different. The haiku usually takes the reader in another direction.
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Trusting the process is so hard sometimes!!!
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Yes!
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I start to feel the same poetic fatigue during National Poetry Writing Month (NaPoWriMo). Gotta push through and trust the process.
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Beautifully expressed, Lisa. 🌞
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Gwen, thanks much <3
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I often ‘tease’ that my ‘muse’ helps me write. But I think it is just listening to our inner voice, our intuition. Letting whatever wishes to be heard ‘out’ onto the paper (or typed into a word doc). I do still occasionally use pen and paper ;)
We need to forgive ourselves when we feel we force issues and trust that that process that allows words to flow. Seeing is beliving. Well done.
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Thanks much for the wise words, Jules. Every POPO poem always starts with pen and paper.
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I love your morning routine, Lisa! I wish I could stick to something like that. Great tanka prose!
Yvette M Calleiro :-)
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
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Yvette, thanks much. One of the perks of being retired :)
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This is so relatable, Jade. I do admire your poem everyday, and I also know how difficult it can be to keep that up. I also can’t paddle😁💜💜🌼
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Thanks so much, Jude <3
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perfect I see you with the cats or out 💜
You are right trust and let go.
https://youtu.be/13WAhlE02ew?si=yO4pXOBlKFgPENWW
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<3 Thanks Willow, for the encouragement and the music video. Very mellow.
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Lisa, that is honestly one of the best tanka verses I have ever had the pleasure of reading – I wish I had written it.
~David
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David, I’m glad you connected with it. Thanks so much for your comment. <3
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The music is to encourage you to Jim in 💜💜
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