Tag: challenge

Freedom From The Past

Published on by Susi Bocks14 Comments
‘Skeleton Family’ (oil on canvas, 101 x 70 cm, c. 1800), by Jose Lopez Enguidanos (1760-1812). At the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando (Madrid, Spain).
Inspired by Reena’s Xploration Challenge #409

“Dead family walking!”

The family was chaotic from day one.

They being an absentee, alcoholic father, and a probably-suffering-from-a-mental-illness mother not understanding love.

A child being cheated out of something before her existence had ever really begun.

So many unusual life lessons played out where mediocrity would flourish.

Determined small steps tested the authorities; she tried where she could.

Her willingness to rise above engaged with her persistently in the aftermath of their lives.

She took control of all in her realm, determined to do what was best.

The past is now safely in the rear-view mirror.

Today promised ever-increasing clarity going forward.

**Forgive me, Reena. This wasn’t written today, but your prompt reminded me of this piece I wrote back in 2018. With today being Thanksgiving and your challenge speaking to thankfulness in a unique situation, this poem seemed to fit the request. It reminds me to be grateful precisely for that which tried to hold me down or keep me from success.

Inside Out

Published on by Susi Bocks25 Comments
Mohsen Karimi – Unsplash.com
Inspired by What do you see #316

sorrow evident
nature mimics the heart’s aches
hard to hide sadness

Family Conflicts

Published on by Susi Bocks19 Comments
Andy Kennedy – Unsplash.com

My neck was stiff from stress. It wrenched out of place overnight, making it feel tight down the right side. This would require me to treat it with ice and alternate with heat, too, like I had the time for it. But first, I needed some tea made from dried thistles and raspberries to calm me. Sipping it and listening to the chirping of the wee birds in the garden actually did.

I had to stick to the story my uncle said in a fit of rage. His horns were showing in that moment, and I was blushing with guilt.

Inspired by The Sunday Whirl – Wordle #733

SenHai Saturday #27

Published on by Susi Bocks25 Comments
Gus Tu Njana – Unsplash.com

Here is this week’s image to get your creative juices flowing!

This image features a mountain landscape filled with a fog layer at the base and hazy layers throughout the sky; the colors feel dark and ominous.

Please create one senryu and one haiku to accompany this image prompt. Remember that a traditional haiku describes nature or a season, while a senryu focuses on human nature and emotions.

Then, provide a link in the comments below or ping back to this post on your blog.

Here is a wrap-up of last week’s prompt. I appreciate each of you for sharing your thoughts!

Carol Anne – Sen-hai Saturday #26

Misky – 15.11: Journal of Thoughts

Eugenia – #SenHai Saturday – 11/15/25

AJ – SenHai Saturday

Carolyn – SenHai Saturday #26

Joan Leotta, Fairfax, Va

Snowy field, night here
my feet will step with surety
on the well-lit path

warm respite’s light
transforms snowy field into
a swath of diamonds

Sara – SenHai Saturday #26

Heather – Possibility

Lisa – Home in a Blue World

Sadje – The lonely cottage

Violet – A Litany

Catherin – Haiku and Senryu

Destiny – #winter’s flame#

ENCIRCLING THEME – 3 Pieces Accepted By Pure Haiku!!

Published on by Susi Bocks36 Comments

What great news to wake up to this morning—can’t wipe this grin from my face! You’ll see the first one on February 14th.

Pure Haiku is special to me, and having many of my pieces accepted this go around AND being short-listed is such a great honor! I’ve become so fond of Freya over the years, proud to call her a friend from the poetry realm, and I look forward to a long, long friendship with her. Thank you so much, Elisa Ang, for creating the incredible image that inspired me, and thank you, Freya, for your love and support!!

Floating Prayers

Published on by Susi Bocks23 Comments
Goutam Maiti
Inspired by
Reena’s Xploration Challenge #408

bathing absolves sins
liberated from rebirth
spiritual source

**NOTE – I’m not an expert on the Ganges, but this is some of what I’ve learned.

In The Quiet

Published on by Susi Bocks22 Comments
Slava Jamm – Unsplash.com
Inspired by What do you see #315

self-imposed stillness
journeys provide clarity
acceptance of life

**NOTE – I researched the image a bit, wanting to know if it was real or a Photoshop creation, and stumbled upon the artist’s statement…

Person in dark cloak stands in glowing orange sandstone canyon

Life in the desert is a teacher. It shows that beauty can live in silence. Every grain of sand carries a story of patience. You survive not by fighting the heat, but by flowing with it. The emptiness is not loneliness; it’s clarity. Here, there are no distractions, only truth. You learn to value every drop, every breath, every shadow. In the desert, you understand that strength is quiet. And that even in the harshest place, light always finds a way. Subscribe to see more from this trip: https://www.youtube.com/@LASLAVA.

Thanks, Sadje! Appreciate learning more about him. He’s quite an interesting, reflective, and talented character. Very inspiring! :)

Blowing Up Heaven

Published on by Susi Bocks21 Comments
Leio McLaren – Unsplash.com

In the spirit of full disclosure, rage was vibrating outward among all who saw the despair unfold before them, the air tragedy of Flight 923. All were pulsating with anger. “Why on earth did this need to happen?” Anyone with a heart made their presence known with angry shouts. They spoke specifically about the greed contributing to the inferno in the sky. Loosening safety directives and CEOs pulling strings where they ought not; this was the cause of this recent aviation disaster.

I should have tried to calm the crowd, but I didn’t. I couldn’t. I turned to walk away.

Inspired by The Sunday Whirl – Wordle #732

SenHai Saturday #26

Published on by Susi Bocks37 Comments
Maximus Mazar – Unsplash.com

Here is this week’s image to get your creative juices flowing!

The photographer presents us with a snowy mountain scene, featuring the treeline in the background and the white landscape in the foreground. Outside lights illuminate the small cabin, highlighting a trail that leads to it.

Please create one senryu and one haiku to accompany this image prompt. Remember that a traditional haiku describes nature or a season, while a senryu focuses on human nature and emotions.

Then, provide a link in the comments below or ping back to this post on your blog.

Here is a wrap-up of last week’s prompt. I appreciate each of you for sharing your thoughts!

Eugenia – #SenHai Saturday – 11/8/25

Misky – when beauty touches bone

Carolyn – SenHai Saturday #25

AJ – SenHai Saturday

Tina – SenHai Saturday 25

Nolcha – Comfort

Cheryl – Senhai Saturday #25

Carole Anne – Sen-hai Saturday #25

Sheila – my heart is there

Destiny – #dusky skies#

Heather – Night’s Arrival

Sadje – When sun sets

Violet – Gympsum Sands

Lisa – Sit By Me

Ben – 13.11.25 — Haiku/Senryu

Indira – SenHai Saturday #25

Breeding Season

Published on by Susi Bocks16 Comments
C.Valdez – Unsplash.com
Inspired by What do you see #314

lovey dovey now
contempt after the pleasure
koala outcome

Some interesting facts from Google AI Overview

Koalas only tolerate each other for breeding. Female koalas often mate with different males each year and may choose a mate based on factors like a male’s size and vigor. 

Territorial behavior: Koalas are generally solitary and territorial, only interacting with others during the breeding season. 

Not monogamous: Koalas do not form long-term pair bonds and are not monogamous. 

Mating habits: Female koalas typically mate with a different male each breeding season. 

Mating selection: Females may be selective about their mates, using factors like a male’s bellowing, size, and strength to choose.