Today is National Poetry Day in the UK. I. Its honour, I decided to add a poem as an extra post.
I wrote a poem for each day of the year, and thought that the one I wrote for October 3rd would be the obvious one. I hoped it would be one of the longer ones, but it’s a tanka. Still, I must go with it. It’s today’s poem, after all.
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Stars
Clear the sky above
The moon has not yet risen
Many stars twinkle
The Milky Way curves above.
Infinity stretched on high.
This is from my One Poem a Day book, July to December.
Last year I wrote one poem each day. It was hard going. I can’t say I didn’t have the occasional lapse, but managed to make up in the next few days.
The poems are very varied. There are tanka and haiku, like this one, lyrical poems, limericks, some rhyming poetry (well, quite a lot, actually) and some non-rhyming. I think there’s something for everyone.
Why not give poetry a chance by reading one a day? Take a look at the books by clicking on the cover in the side bar.
Did you enjoy my tanka? What kind of poetry do you enjoy? Let me know in the comments.
In April, I visited the Spanish city of Cordoba. I thought you might like to see some of the pictures I took.
First, the Mesquita. This was a mosque constructed in 785 when Spain was under Muslim rule. There is some disputed history that there was a mosque earlier than that, which was also used by Christians as a church. this sharing of a building indicates to me that there wasn’t the animosity between the two religions as there is nowadays.
When Ferdinand and Isabella reconquered Spain in the 15th century, the mosque was converted to a cathedral. To find out more, here’s a link to Wikipedia.
This is the oldest gate, called the Visier’s gate and it’s decoration dates back to 855.
This gate was right opposite our hotel!
Now for some other pictures of the cathedral.
The street outside our hotel, showing the cathedral on the left.
Of course, full of tourists!
One of the chapels.
And a part of the ceiling.
Another chapel. the amount of gold was amazing. All stolen, I suppose, from South America.
I’ll post more of my pictures another time. This was the Cathedral. More of the city next time.
If you would like to post a comment, please feel free to do so. Have you been to Cordoba? What did you think of the city?
I would like to remind you of my poetry book, July to December, that came out a couple of weeks ago. It follows on from my January to June book, which is free on all platforms. July to December is only 1.99. Each book gives you one poem to read each day for a year.
Some are humerous, some based on nature, some are short, others longer and narrative.
The second part of my One Poem a Day series is now available. It was actually published a couple of weeks ago, but as I was on holiday I couldn’t announce it!
Here is the blurb.
The second book of poetry in V.M. Sang’s One Poem A Day Series takes us through summer to midwinter.
Each day there is a poem to read. These poems are often related to the season, for example, Harvest, or the first flight by the Montgolfier brothers, and of course, Christmas.
The poems are varied in type and length. There are haiku, haibun and tanka, limericks, sonnets, odes and narrative poems among the collection. Some poems are comments on serious subjects, while others are amusing and entertaining.
Many of the poems in this collection are in the traditional vein, so if you enjoy this type of poetry, this book is for you.
An example of two of the poems.
July 4th
We recently had family to stay. Here’s a poem about families.
Family
Brothers, sisters, cousins too Some of whom we barely knew As one by one the family grew.
Family feuds, we all fell out Little sister, she did pout. Cousin Johnny started to shout.
Susie said ‘I hate you all. And I hope that you might fall And get caught out in a squall.’
Brother Robert raised his fist. ‘Don’t you speak to us like this.’ Narrowed eyes, voice like a hiss.
Sister Jane came rushing in. ‘They have started bullying Jim.’ Quarrel stopped. He’s our kin.
So we went to sort them out. When they saw us, ’twas a rout. They will run away, no doubt.
We fall out, of that it’s true. And we say things that we rue. But family is strong. We knew.
“All for One and One for All.” We stand together or we fall. Petty quarrels, they will pall.
July 5th.
A small bumble bee has been pollinating our raspberry plants all by herself. At least, I didn’t see any other insects around them. Here’s a Haiku.
Little bee.
She sips sweet nectar. Proboscis deep in the flower. Raspberries will come.
The book is available from the following retailers, currently priced at 1.99
Book 1, From January to June is available by clicking the book title. It’s free, so you can get both books for 1.99
The blurb
Take a lyrical journey through the first half of the year with V.M. Sang’s FROM JANUARY TO JUNE.
This anthology captures the essence of everyday life, nature, and the world around us through the versatile medium of poetry. From haiku to narrative poems, and the humour found in limericks, From January To June is a diverse collection of poetry.
A calendar in creativity, a diary in verse; this collection is the perfect companion for daily reflection and inspiration, providing a poem for each day that resonates with the diverse experiences of life.
I thoroughly enjoyed this unique collection of poetry from V M Sang. I say unique because it’s rare to find such an eclective collection of different styles, forms and subjects in one one book, all by the same author. From Haiku to full length poetic pieces, covering a wide range of topics from the weather to personal feelings and the rare beauty found in the morr mundane, everyday events in the poet’s life. Definitely something for everyone and I have no hesitation in recommending the book and giving it a 5 star review.
I was going to post some pictures from my recent holiday today, but I received the preview cover from my publisher this morning and so decided to run with that. Hence the delay in posting.
Here it is, alongside the first book.
These books have one poem to be read each day for a year. Here is the blurb about Book 1.
Take a lyrical journey through the first half of the year with V.M. Sang’s FROM JANUARY TO JUNE.
This anthology captures the essence of everyday life, nature, and the world around us through the versatile medium of poetry. From haiku to narrative poems, and the humour found in limericks, From January To June is a diverse collection of poetry.
A calendar in creativity, a diary in verse; this collection is the perfect companion for daily reflection and inspiration, providing a poem for each day that resonates with the diverse experiences of life.
I thoroughly enjoyed this unique collection of poetry from V M Sang. I say unique because it’s rare to find such an eclective collection of different styles, forms and subjects in one one book, all by the same author. From Haiku to full length poetic pieces, covering a wide range of topics from the weather to personal feelings and the rare beauty found in the more mundane, everyday events in the poet’s life. Definitely something for everyone and I have no hesitation in recommending the book and giving it a 5 star review.
Here is a poem from Book 2 to whet your appetite. It is the first poem in the book, dated July 1st.
It’s deep into peach season, so I wrote this in honour of that delicious fruit.
Peaches
A peach with skin so soft. Breathe in the sweet scent As to my nose it wafts. Made just to tempt.
Bite into the flesh. That scent did not lie The flavour is so fresh. That I cannot deny.
Juice runs down my chin. The peach is so sweet It must be a sin To enjoy such a treat.
The book contains many poems of different types, like the first one. I will keep you informed as to when it will be released.It should be sometime next month.
If you can’t wait, then you can get the first book by clicking on this link, or to get my previous poetry book, Miscellaneous Thoughts, you can click here.
Or click on the book cover in the sidebar.
Do you like the cover? Does it tie in with the first book, to show they are linked?
I have just submitted the second part of my poetry anthology, One Poem a Day. This one goes from July to December.
Book 1, January to June was released just before Christmas.
My daughter had a book when she was very little which comprised one story of poem to read every day of the year. It was great as each poem or story was short, and at bedtime we could say, “That’s the end of today’s story.” No arguments about going to sleep.
I thought how nice it would be if an adult could have something similar. One poem to read each day for a year. So I set about, December 2022, to writing one poem every day. At times I thought I’d never do it, but eventually, I succeeded.
I decided to release the book in two halves so that people could begin to read on January 1st. Book 1 came out just before Christmas and has received a glowing review already.
I thoroughly enjoyed this unique collection of poetry from V M Sang. I say unique because it’s rare to find such an eclective collection of different styles, forms and subjects in one one book, all by the same author. From Haiku to full length poetic pieces, covering a wide range of topics from the weather to personal feelings and the rare beauty found in the more mundane, everyday events in the poet’s life. Definitely something for everyone and I have no hesitation in recommending the book and giving it a 5 star review.
If you are interested in my poetry, you can buy by clicking here when you will be able to buy from your favourite store.
The first part of One Poem a Day has now been released. It would make an amazing Christmas present for someone.
Take a lyrical journey through the first half of the year with V.M. Sang’s FROM JANUARY TO JUNE.
This anthology captures the essence of everyday life, nature, and the world around us through the versatile medium of poetry. From haiku to narrative poems, and the humor found in limericks, From January To June is a diverse collection of poetry.
A calendar in creativity, a diary in verse; this collection is the perfect companion for daily reflection and inspiration, providing a poem for each day that resonates with the diverse experiences of life.
You can get your copy by clicking on the book cover in the sidebar or clicking the button below.
I know I’m a bit late with his one, as Thanksgiving was last Thursday for my US friends, but it is still November, the thanksgiving month. And we should give thanks all year round.
I decided to write a Haibun for this. A Haibun is poetic prose followed by a Haiku complements it.
The warmth of the sun caresses my face. The breeze lifts a strand of my hair, like a lover. The leaves whisper secrets above me. The brook giggles at the jokes it heard. Flowers nod in agreement with everything. Butterflies paint the forest glade in a tapestry of colour.
There is such beauty We have been given so much We should be grateful.
Have you ever written a Haibun? I only recently learned of them and this is only my second.
I’ve had the suggested cover back from the publisher and have accepted it. I like it. What do you think?
Should be out in time for Christmas, so if you are stuck for Christmas presents, here’s an idea. Details of where and how to buy coming when I know them.
In the meantime, if you would like a short story to read, completely free and exclusive, click on the button below.
Maria and Tom have bought an antique table for the old cottage they have bought. When they hear strange noises in the night that sound like crying, they worry their house is haunted, but the sounds seem to come from the table.
They set about trying to find what is causing the disturbances. The answer is stranger than either of them had thought.
(Clicking the link will add your email address to my email list, but don’t worry, you can unsubscribe immediately if you wish.Nor will you get any spam. I only send out an email each quarter, or if I have any exciting news–like a new release.)
Tonight is Halloween. This is an ancient festival that we have adapted to our own times. This poem harks back to those times when people really believed that the spirits of the dead could return to Earth, including demons and other malevolent creatures.
Hallowe’en
The moon has hidden her face tonight Turned away from the Earth. The clouds are scurrying away in fright From what the night may give birth, For tonight the veil is thin.
The wind is blowing the leaves around. They hide in crannies and nooks. Cowering, shivering, hope not to be found By phantoms, ghosts and spooks, For tonight the veil may tear.
Build a bonfire, create some light. The spirits are afraid. They like the shadows, shun what’s bright And lurk within the shade For tonight they cross the veil.
Ghouls and spectres, wraiths and shades Return to Earth tonight. We’re filled with dread as daylight fades. The smallest sound will give us fright For tonight the veil has gone.
This poem appears in my poetry book, Miscellaneous Thoughts. It is available in your favourite store, as ebook, or ‘real’ book.
There are more Halloween poems there as well as others from the various seasons, the countries of the UK, limericks, Haiku and many other things.
Most of my poetry is rhyming poems, so if you enjoy that kind of poetry, you will probably enjoy my poems.
Get your copy by clicking on the image of the book in the sidebar or the button below.
Dragons Rule OK. V.M.Sang (author) 