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Once again, I’m giving Colleen’s #Tanka Tuesday #Poetry Challenge a try (honestly, it’s addictive). This time with a haibun/tanka. The prompts were (synonyms for) green and magic. I didn’t know if they were supposed to be in the haibun or the tanka, so I put them in both.
Milkweed
I spiral in a wisp of breeze, an airy fluff of seed unnoticed by the whorl of pollen shimmering in fat sunbeams. The fecund world undulates and exhales. Ribbons of heat flutter in the willow’s leaves and seduce the crickets into a sultry chant. Chaos dances with the bees, bearing me on my journey, I know not where. This masterpiece is woven of random notes and steps, yet, I perceive a conjuring of harmony, a sublime pattern of unfurling precision. I am meant to twirl in languid beauty to the earth.
Bountiful mother
Breathe a summer’s requiem
Spin me in the wind
As beguiled I pirouette
And await my spring’s rebirth
Myths of the Mirror 
Dancing with the birds and the mother nature, Diana. Simply beautiful.
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Thanks, Kamal. I was inspired to give Colleen’s challenge a try. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂 Happy Monday.
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Yes Diana it was awesome. Happy Monday to you too.
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very good submission! It reminds me of the “nature’s first green is gold” thread – if you remember 🙂
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Thanks for the visit. And yes, I remember that poem as you mention it. I’m so glad you enjoyed this take on the prompt. Colleen offers some lovely challenges – you might give one a try! 🙂 Happy Weekend!
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Beautiful, Diana! “Chaos dances with the bees” and “a sublime pattern of unfurling precision” are my favourite lines in this wonderful Tanka! Hope your addiction to these challenges will grow and grow! 😉 ❤
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Thanks, Sarah. I’ve been having such fun with these challenges. The structure and prompts keep me on track. I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Have a wonderful weekend, my friend. 🙂
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Both of them are lovely.
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Thank you. I like the two forms and the way they are paired. It’s a lot of fun to play with the words. Happy Writing and have a wonderful weekend. 🙂
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Thank you. you too.
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Both are lovely, Diana. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thanks, Suzanne. I appreciate the visit! I’ve been having fun with Colleen’s poetry challenges and it have to try another one soon. 🙂 Have a wonderful day, my friend.
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Ah…the bliss of reading your work. Thank you!
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Thanks for the sweet comment. I’ve been enjoying these poetry challenges – they’re like word puzzles. 🙂 I’m so glad you liked this one. ❤
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I am so glad that you are enjoying them too. 🙂
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“Chaos dances with the bees, bearing me on my journey, I know not where…” – You really have a way with words. ❤️
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Thanks. 🙂 I got to go “all Mother Nature” on this one – she’s my favorite muse. It was a fun poetic form. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
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This is terrific, Diana. I also wrote my first haibun a short while ago. They are really fun.
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Thanks, Robbie. They are fun… a little more free-flowing and then a little shift into the tanka. I’m having fun with Colleen’s challenges and trying new things too. 😀
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Sorry I’m so late with this… Beautiful poems both, Diana! Love how you captured the flights of those fluffy seeds. Have a wonderful week!
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It’s okay, Julie. Actually, I don’t keep a weekly list of who visits and who doesn’t. Lol. I honor your busy-ness and creativity, and the need for each of us to manage our time and take care of ourselves. It’s all good. ❤ And I'm glad you enjoyed the poem!
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Wow, that’s amazing, a balletic dance of words. Love it. 🙂
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Thanks so much, Marje. There were so many ways to go with green magic. It’s one of the fun things about these prompts – seeing where everyone’s imagination led them. Have a wonderfully creative week!
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And to you too Diana. 🙂
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Like an earth prayer. (K)
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Oh, thank you. What a lovely comment. I’m feeling all happy inside. 🙂 This planet is full of poetry, and I love everything about it, including milkweed. Have a wonderfully creative week. ❤
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It is definitely full of poetry, everywhere. If only our leaders would stop and listen to it….
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“Chaos dances with the bees” ~ Wonderful!
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Thanks so much, Christy. I don’t even remember writing that line. Lol. I’m so glad you enjoyed my little flight with this poem. 🙂 Have a wonderful week!
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Delightful.
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Thanks, Cynthia. I’ve been enjoying these new challenges and playing with the poetic forms. I’m glad you liked the result. 🙂
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[…] Milkweed: #Tanka Tuesday Poetry Challenge | Myths of the Mirror […]
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Such a beautiful creation, Diana. I love the airy, beautiful lines. Milkweed is one of my favorites; it is so important to the Monarch butterflies. I also adore summer, so it is quite the perfect blending for me. Gorgeous poetry! xx
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Thank you, Lana. I do like playing with words and syllables and the prompts are fun. I love milkweed too and remember pulling those silken seeds from their pods as a kid. And the Monarchs are a plus. Happy Writing, my friend. 🙂
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I’m late due to a few days vacation surrounding the holiday, but both of those are stunning. You weave words like threads on a loom, creating magic.
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That was a very poetic comment, Mae. I’m so glad you liked it. BTW, I’m about 30% into The Cusp of Night. Lots of fun and tense! 🙂
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So good to know! 🙂
I’m a little over 50% through the last book of the trilogy I was reading. Your newest is up next. I’m looking forward to more word weaving 😉
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😀
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Diana, you never fail to amaze. This, the narrative and the poem — the whole thing is purely breathtaking. Hugs on the wing!
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Thanks so much, Teagan. I’m a little hooked on these challenges. They’re really fun and nice a short too. Lol. I’m glad you enjoyed this one. Have a great week, my friend. ❤
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Beautiful poetry! Very nicely done on both counts!
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Thank you, Marcia. I’m glad you enjoyed the poem. I’ve been having some fun with the challenges. Hope you have a wonderful week. 🙂
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This is incredible. “Breathe a summer’s requiem” is a line that’s going to be a favorite for a long time. I thought this poem was amazing, and all of the different words you found for magic was super inspiring to me. I can actually see this, and I think that’s superb in poetry, the way you use language as a paintbrush, here. Thank you for this.
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Thanks so much for the lovely comment. You are way too kind to me, but I’m glad you enjoyed the poem. I’ve just started playing with these forms and the prompts give me just enough structure to work with. Have a wonderfully creative week. ❤
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Hi. I tried to visit you, but your link sends me to a deleted site. You might update your link so that people can return your visits. ❤
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Hello Diana! What a beautiful haibun and tanka! I was transported. 🙂
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Thank you, Vashti. I’m having a lot of fun with Colleen’s prompts and stretching my poetic wings a bit. I’m glad you enjoyed this one. Happy Writing. 🙂
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Your words are beautiful. You’re a natural poet I think. Thank you! Happy writing to you too! ❤ xx
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Reblogged this on Where Genres Collide.
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Thanks so much for sharing my latest attempt at poetry. 🙂 Have a wonderful Sunday!
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Poetry at its finest, Diana! I love it.
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Thanks, Jan. I’m so glad you liked it. I hope you have milkweed beauty where you are and the butterflies that go with it. Have a great Sunday. ❤
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As always, your prose transports me to different worlds…I love these words of spring and summer, they’re gorgeous!
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Thank you, Kim. Green and Magic just naturally make me think of our beautiful Mother Earth. I’m so glad you enjoyed this and appreciate your kind words. I’ hope you’re enjoying the weekend and some sunshine! ❤
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We’ve had a day or two of moody weather but at this moment in time, the sun is out and all is well!
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Stunning Diana. You’re a natural at this! ❤
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Thanks you, dear one. 🙂 Just having fun over here. I do better with prompts, I think, than having to think stuff up on my own. Ha ha. Happy Weekend!
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Yes, Happy weekend! 🙂
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Lovely pieces–and I absolutely adore the prompt. No wonder it inspired you.
The pirouette was my favorite moment.
I had a thought on where you might go with further attempts, as a faithful beta friend. This might well be a place to let your preference for unusual verbs run wild. Could be a real asset in this form.
And now, having emerged briefly from my editing cave, I return to work on your story. 🙂
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Ha ha ha. Verbs run wild! Lol. Yes, I was thinking of you as I was editing this poem. Ha! And I’m busily applying all your suggestions, even editing out some lovely verbs. A couple rewrites to do and then the first half is done. 🙂
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This is beautiful!! I adore milkweed (I know, weird) so this we prefect. Mine just flowered and I had my first monarch butterfly at it the other day! 🦋💖💖
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I like them too and used to have a lot in my field in Vermont. They are wonderful Monarch food! Thanks for the visit, Nicole, and I’m glad you liked my poem. 😀
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Hi Diana, you surely make the monarch butterfly food magical. I can see that you had lots of fun doing this challenge and prompt. I have fun reading it. ❤
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I wasn’t sure whether I was writing about dandelions or milkweed at first. Lol. Decided on the butterfly food. 🙂 Thanks for the visit and lovely comment, Miriam. Happy Weekend!
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The milkweed was introduced to me by a botanicalist (is there such a term?) friend! Have a wonderful weekend. We’re staying home keeping cool due to heat wave. 🙂
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So beautiful. I love your wordcraft.
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Thanks for the kind comment, Chelsea. Playing with words and sounds is my favorite part of poetry and these prompts were perfect for a sunny July day. Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Writing!
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Thank you. You, too!
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These are such graceful lines, Diana:
‘Bountiful mother
Breathe a summer’s requiem
Spin me in the wind
As beguiled I pirouette
And await my spring’s rebirth’
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Thank you for reading, Robert, and for the kind comment. I am a big fan of Mother nature and her amazing magic. The prompt was perfect. Happy Weekend, my talented friend. ❤
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Beautiful writing, Diana. Wow, quite the challenge, but you met it wonderfully!
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Thanks, Steven. These are fun and short! (My brain is still resting from working on books.) Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Writing.
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I’m sure it’s well deserving of a rest. And may you enjoy as well. 🙂
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I am sticking my toe into the online waters, and where better to do so than this post of yours, Diana. So sensuous and beautiful!
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Thank you so much for the visit, Molly. This is a short one, which is probably good. I’m tickled that you liked it. :- )How are you? I hope you’re feeling a bit better. Another blogger friend, Pam, got a concussion within days of you, and her recovery is taking some time too. Don’t over do it. Now that I’ve finished mothering you (lol) … have a wonderful weekend. ❤
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Both versions are delightful Diana. Definitely a sense of magic, play and movement.
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Thanks, Brad. These challenges are so addictive! And I couldn’t resist the prompts. Anything with magic immediately sparks my interest. Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Writing. 😀
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They are pretty fun. I just wrote my first one. 🙂
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Oh good! Have you tried Colleen’s challenge? There’s a lot of flexibility and it’s fun to see everyone’s responses. 🙂
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Yes, I wrote a Tanka based on last week’s challenge, and publishing next week, so obviously I’m not playing along as prescribed! 🙂
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Ha ha. Nice thing about blogging is we can modify the rules as we see fit. 😀 I’ll look for it.
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Yay!
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Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
I will leave you with wonderful examples of a haibun and a tanka from Diana Wallace Peach in response to this week’s challenge by Colleen Chesebro…you will never look at milkweed in quite the same way again…..
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Thank you, Sally. What a sweet surprise! I’m so glad you enjoyed this one. Colleen has me hooked on her challenges! Ha ha.
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Great job! Your magic is in everything you do!
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Thanks, Basilike. These are like little word puzzles, and I find them relaxing. And I’m always smiling when a poet such as yourself likes them. Happy Weekend!
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I remember another writing exercise you had posted, where you had to write a paragraph, then reduce it until you had a single line – at least that’s what I remember more or less. I was impressed by the outcome. I wanted to try it too, but life interfered. Oh, well…
Have a great weekend too!
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That was a Carrot Ranch challenge. I guess I like challenges. Ha ha. 😀
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Beautiful and full of your magic – as a gifted wordsmith you’re a natural with poetry!
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Thanks for the lovely comment, Annika. I’ve been having fun with Colleen’s poetry challenges. They’re a nice light break after all the last minute editing and rushing around to get the books out. Have a lovely weekend, my friend. ❤
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Wow! I am impressed, Diana.
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Thanks so much, Jennie. Colleen’s poetry challenges are like word-puzzles and a lot of fun to figure out. 🙂 I’m so glad you enjoyed this one. Have a great weekend, my friend. ❤
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You’re most welcome, and well deserved. Enjoy the weekend, my friend. Our heatwave finally broke! 😀
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Gorgeous!
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Aahh. Thank you, Lynn. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. ❤ Have a wonderful weekend.
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you too!
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Excellent! This is beautiful, Diana. Happy Weekend! xo
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Thanks, Jill. I loved the prompt and had to try out a new form. They’re like word puzzles. 🙂 Happy Weekend to you too! ❤
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I see your next book! A collection of #Tanka. You do this so well, my friend. Happy Writing and Weekend.
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No poetry books, Mary. Ha ha. The challenges are fun though. I’m grinding away at an outline for the next books and Not enjoying it. Ugh. But I’ll get there. Thanks for the visit and Happy Writing!
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Ah, just magical! Wonderful, Diana. 🙂
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Thank you, Iris. I’ve been enjoying the challenges and trying some new forms as I slog through outlining the next books. Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Writing!
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Wow, you did a lot with that, well done!
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Thanks, Jay. The challenge was fun and the prompts were perfect – anything with a little magic in it captures my attention immediately. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
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I can see this in mind. When your Haibun is read out loud, it is even more beautiful! ❤
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Thank you for the great prompts, Colleen. When I saw them, I knew I had to give the challenge a go. They were right up my alley, and a nice break from the business of the week. Happy Poeting, my friend. ❤
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I can see how this could be addictive. Consequently, I’m afraid to start. Same thing I said about coffee… [sip… ahhh…]
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Stretch your wings, my wings my friend. ❤
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Obviously, I can’t type today! LOL! 😀
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It is addictive, and they’re short enough that they only take a couple hours… Like Colleen said, stretch your wings. And I’m on my second cup of my other addiction. 😀
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🙂
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Lovely – beautiful imagery.
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Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂 Have a lovely weekend and Happy Writing!
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This is lovely. I love the word “fecund.” It brings so much imagery to mind.
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Isn’t it a great word. It makes me thinks of lush growth, but also of green decay. I don’t use it much, but it seemed to work here. Thanks for the visit, Carrie. Happy Friday!
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You’ve captured the magic of milkweed!
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Is that plant called milkweed?
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Yes, it’s milkweed. I hope so, because I’ve been calling it that for 50 years. Lol. Thanks fro stopping by to read, Laivi. 🙂
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Perfect name for such creation 😄 pleasure is all here. Thank you.
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That’s it gone to seed. The purple flowers are lovely. It is host food plant for monarch butterflies in the north. People can eat the greens and the milky sap is said to cure warts; I’ve done both.
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Yes it caught my eyes… I’ve never seen such flowers actually… I guess we don’t have it here in north east India 😂 thanks for the nice information.
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I tried to squeeze a monarch butterfly in there too, but it was too much. Lol. Thanks for stopping by, and have a wonderful weekend. 🙂
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A fantastic approach to the challenge! That plant is indeed magical and your poetry matches it so well Diana. Have a wonderful weekend.
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Thanks so much for the visit and lovely comment, Balroop. I’m enjoying these challenges and prompts. Happy Weekend to you as well, my friend. ❤
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