We were given the words “blessed” and “hexed.” I chose to use the synonyms, holy and damned in three tankas of 5/7/5, 3/5/3, and 2/3/2. I also added a story. Hope you enjoy!
deep in prayer the
monk folded his hands upon
the trio of stones
lost in flight
the angel waited
damned to hear
blamed for
her part in
his lies
The Angel and the Monk
Traci Kenworth
They met by a pool in the gardens. The monk often went there to pray. He didn’t know she was listening or so she thought. In truth, he lured her there each night with his praise of her lord.
She thought it sad that such a poetic man called on the devil to strengthen his claim to the temple.
He entrusted his soul to her keeping, sure that she would pass it on to her Master. But she could not. For the angel had fallen. As all the damned do. They are like butterflies hovering close to the flower. Always seeking, searching for the best beneath, they do not see the trap until it is too late.
Such is the fate of the cursed.
Now, she is bound to the chambers of sin where the monk goes each night to pray. Not for forgiveness or to save his people. His are for the dark to rise him as a might throughout the land. He will be feared and above all. Never to fall. Or so he thought.
And as such, they play out their hex. One drawn to the other who wishes to break the chains and find hope again.
Bestselling in Books. Too Much and Never Enough. My First Learn to Write Workbook. Big Preschool Workbook. White Fragility. Paint by Stickers Kids. How to be an Anti-Racist. The Room Where it Happened. Where the Crawdads Sing. The Order. Untamed.
Traci Ashbe Dark Fantasy Author 
19 responses to “Poem and a Story Colleen’s Weekly Tanka Poetry Challenge 7/15/2020 Blessed & Hexed chosen by Anita Dawes Traci Kenworth”
Fabulous. I love the dark tone of this, Traci. And the pieces go together wonderfully.
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Thank you, D.!
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Sometimes I imagine that the Greater beings just play with mere mortals – you tale is a good example :)
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Thank you, Jules!
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These senryu are fabulous. I hope I didn’t make it confusing, but I might have. You can write senryu or haiku in one of these forms: 5/7/5, 3/5/3, or 2/3/2. We did a few exercises in word reduction where we started with the 5/7/5 format and worked our way down in syllables to the other forms to show how easy it was to reduce syllables. The senryu trio would be three of each in one of the forms, not all three versions. Does that make sense? However, your creativity knows no boundaries! I like the way they came together. You went dark in your story. I love it! <3
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Thank you, Colleen!
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You’re welcome. 😍❤️
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Great response Traci.. complex and dark x
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Thank you, Sally!
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That is a great tale.
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Thank you!
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Wow! This is a gorgeous piece. I loooved the story and poetry
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Thank you, Jude!
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I really liked this. my pleasure 🌼
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[…] A poem and a story by Traci Kenworth – Dripping with pains and pangs of star crossed lovers, with an original twist that stayed with me. […]
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Hi Traci, I just featured this in my weekly feature today
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Oh, thank you, Jude! I’m honored!
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It’s very much my pleasure 🌼
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[…] Traci Kenworth […]
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