Throughout April 2024, I invite you to join me on a poetic voyage to celebrate the beauty of language, expression, and creativity—one Tanka at a time. Bookmark the category: Making Verse – NaPoWriM2024.
#NaPoWriMo #GloPoWriMo 2024, Day 1
My dreams sprouted wings
One alights on the window
In summer’s warm glaze,
Resting from a tiring flight
Beyond grasp, yet within sight.
© Aneesha Shewani
https://www.bluepenstrokes.comIn 2023, I successfully participated in NaPoWriMo by writing verses inspired by book covers. You can view the collection of 30 verses in the category: Making Verse – NaPoWriM2023. Throughout April 2024, I invite you to join me on this poetic voyage. Together, we’ll traverse boundless landscapes, celebrating the beauty of language, expression, and creativity—one Tanka at a time.
April marks the arrival of National Poetry Writing Month or NaPoWriMo, where poets worldwide unite in the spirit of creativity and expression, “excited about the prospect of writing 30 poems in 30 days.” This year, I have chosen to explore the world of Tanka poetry and paint the canvas of April with the vivid hues of Tanka verse.
Tanka, a classical Japanese form closely related to haiku, weaves its magic through five lines. Its syllable pattern—5-7-5-7-7—creates a rhythmic dance of words. Yet, beyond mere structure, Tanka embodies several key characteristics that enrich its poetic essence.
In 2023, I successfully participated in NaPoWriMo by writing verses inspired by book covers. You can view the collection of 30 verses in the category: Making Verse – NaPoWriM2023. Throughout April 2024, I invite you to join me on this poetic voyage. Together, we’ll traverse boundless landscapes, celebrating the beauty of language, expression, and creativity—one Tanka at a time. Bookmark the category: Making Verse – NaPoWriM2024.
Mystery, melancholy, and a struggling protagonist in a novella that is a compelling read: Cat and the Dreamer by Annalisa Crawford
Book: Cat & The Dreamer
Author: Annalisa Crawford
Genre: Fiction
Review copy: BookSirens
Available at: Amazon.in
Recommended: Must read
Trigger warning: Death, bullying
Mystery, melancholy, and a struggling protagonist in a novella that is a compelling read
Cat and the Dreamer by Annalisa Crawford is a captivating read that deftly intertwines elements of mystery and melancholy. Crawford’s writing style is exquisite, drawing readers in with its expressive prose and evocative descriptions. “My dreams are always vivid, lurid almost, like an over-exposed photo. It’s how I know what’s real. Reality is tinted with a disappointing grey pallor, washed out, even when the sun is shining and the sky is cobalt blue, or golden leaves are falling from the trees.”
One of the most compelling aspects of the book is Crawford’s character introduction and development. Readers are quickly drawn to Julie, the protagonist, intrigued by her mysterious aura. As an adult professional still living with her parents, her life circumstances pique interest. Julie is portrayed as self-conscious, burdened by the past, and experiencing waking dreams that blur the lines between illusion and reality, as she searches for “A Perfect Dream.”
Crawford expertly spins a storytelling web that captivates readers, keeping them engrossed until the very end. She presents a unique perspective through monologues, with references to the ‘cat’ that emphasize its wild traits over its typical feline cuteness. The book cover is a succinct portrayal of how Julie’s dreams are her escape portal.
Overall, Cat and the Dreamer is a slow-burn fiction that rewards readers with its engaging narrative and unfolding revelations. Crawford’s skillful writing and masterful storytelling make it a must-read for fans of literary fiction. The novel develops gradually, demanding the reader’s concentration, introspection, and appreciation of a poignant story told in a unique style. Importantly, the book sheds light on the complexities of adolescence, the impact of peer influence on young adults, and the burdens one can carry throughout life.
I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
An engaging collection of short stories, spanning geographies, cultures, experiences, and emotions.
Book: 30 Stories about Life & Death: Flash Fiction
Author: Henri Colt
Genre: Fiction, Flash fiction
Review copy: Reedsy
Available at: Amazon.in
Recommended: Must read
An engaging collection of short stories, spanning geographies, cultures, experiences, and emotions.
Brevity in storytelling is a commendable trait. Henri Colt’s 30 Stories about Life & Death: Flash Fiction is a good representation of succinct writing with a flair for engagement. Divided into two parts – Life and Death – this compilation of flash fiction has many riveting tales in various shades.
The stories explore the themes of mortality, love, loss, and connection. They are set in different locations around the world, from Paris to Tokyo, and feature diverse characters and situations. Humorous, tragic, poignant, and surreal – all of them are written in an elegant style that captures the essence of each situation and emotion.
Colt’s vast travel experience has influenced the settings of most of the stories. His passion for life and understanding of human travails and feelings bind words into endearing fiction. As a reader, I could imagine him creating stories during each of his travels, capturing the nuances of places and people in dexterously crafted words. Throughout the narrative, Colt encapsulates various cultural experiences, sometimes with explicit descriptions, and sometimes with tender emotions. The characters are also varied in each story – teenagers, elderly, youthful, adventurous, humorous, travelers, and artists – the writer showcases his observations of different personalities and scenarios.
The depth of characterization in each story keeps the reader engaged. There is much to read between the lines and much to savor and absorb. Through vivid descriptions and surprising twists, Colt portrays the complexity and vulnerability of the human heart and our choices in life. Life lessons are tucked into the stories. For instance, “Don’t think, Kyra” he counsels, “Just be.” Or “… when suffering ends, and joy spills forth like the birth of an idea.” I recommend you get a copy and find the lines that resonate and stay with you, long after you finish reading it.
I received an advance review copy for free from Reedsy and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Lines written for #FromOneLine 307
Turn out the light
Feel Darkness crawl up
Your lap and cuddle
In the warmest embrace
Whisper about the scars
Let them out, the tears
With your deepest fears
When the words are done
Let it slip away, gently
Into the night, bearing
The heaviness of one
With stories never to be told
Blue Pen Strokes 