
paddling my canoe
under the light of the full moon,
while guided by stars
and wisdom of forefathers,
while kingfishers fly above.
© Susan Joy Clark 2021
This was written for Colleen M. Chesebro’s Tanka Tuesday challenge. We were challenged to write a syllabic poem inspired by the artistic photo shown. I was inspired both by the photo and this bit of information I found on http://www.ancient-wisdom.com, “The ancient Polynesians navigated their canoes by the stars and other signs that came from the ocean and sky. Navigation was a precise science, a learned art that was passed on verbally from one navigator to another for countless generations.” I decided then to make reference to a Polynesian bird.
Nice nature piece that really paints a scene.
Thanks, T.J. 🙂
Susan, this is brilliant! Love it. <3
Thank you, Colleen. 🙂
I should have left off the capitals. I just removed them. 🙂
Stunning image and beautiful poem to match 🙂
Thank you. 🙂 The image was provided with this challenge, but it’s an artsy photo from one of the poet participants.
Just lovely! canoeing under a full moon, it should be wonderful, hope I can do it this summer.
Thank you, Elizabeth. 🙂 I hope you get to do your moonlight canoeing.
Gorgeous.
Thank you, Jude. 🙂
My pleasure.
wonderful glimpse of the natural world (K)
Thank you. 🙂
Wonderful interpretation Susan.. lovely
Thank you, Sally. 🙂