I wrote two poems while driving Michael to school today (I keep them in my head until I get to the school and then jot them down).

This is a shadorma but I have written it using the style of flowing thoughts from one line to the next.
Complexity
When pieces
of the puzzle move
Out of reach
or are lost
Adaptability rules
Think laterally
This poem is for Reena’s Xploration Challenge #291 which you can join in here: https://reinventionsreena.wordpress.com/2023/08/03/reenas-xploration-challenge-291/

Colleen’s challenge: Select one of the animal collective nouns and write your syllabic poem using the collective noun. I used poetic license for my poem.
Survival
Communal
life is for the birds
No flocking
instincts left
for those who survive on wits
Each man for himself
You can join in Tanka Tuesday here: https://wordcraftpoetry.com/2023/08/08/tankatuesday-weekly-poetry-challenge-no-332-8-8-23/
Your tanka is cute, Robbie. I thought for sure you would choose a collective animal noun to share along with one of your amazing animal photos, Robbie. Using the collective noun is the fun part. 🤣
LikeLiked by 5 people
Haha, Colleen, and I decided to surprise you – tee hee.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You have an amazing mind, Robbie. I’m amazed you are able to write in your head and remember what you “wrote” long enough to get there then write them down.
LikeLiked by 5 people
I was struck by that as well, Vera.
LikeLiked by 3 people
You know, Liz, I live and learn all the time. I thought everyone wrote poems in their head. I edit them in my head too.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I write poems in my head sometimes when I go out walking. Sometimes whole poems, and sometimes just a few lines to build a poem around. I repeat the lines I like in my head then write them down when I get home.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Hi Merril, I am happy to meet another ‘in my head’ writer. I was starting to think I was quite strange with my approach. Because I always do this, I have become practiced with it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t think it’s that uncommon at all. Didn’t Wordsworth do it–write poems in his head while out walking? I don’t write poems in my head so much when I’m driving, but I often do when I’m a passenger. Sometimes whole poems; sometimes random lines.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am pleased to know this. Thank you, Merril. It makes perfect sense to me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I get individual new or revised lines in my head, but that’s as far as it goes.
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s great. It helps a lot.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Vera. I keep everything in my head even at work. I never take notes in meetings and I never have. I’ve never needed too. I do believe my memory is unusual – something I’ve discovered at a walk life’s path (if you don’t know other people generally remember differently, it comes as a surprise by way of explanation).
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this… Communal life is for the birds (she repeats while sitting in her blissfully quiet and clean cottage, alone).
LikeLiked by 2 people
I too am a loner, although I am always surrounded by people. I find alone time in my mind and block everything else out.
LikeLiked by 2 people
At work is when I people. When I am off, I am happily alone.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Beautiful, Robbie! Best wishes, Michael
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Michael
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! Robbie both of these are just great!
I envy you being able to remember poem in your head…. I seem to do everything Stream of Consciousness because if I don’t it just goes!! ,💜💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Willow, everyone does things differently and no one way is better in my experience.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I still admire you 💜💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your post reminded of Marcus Aurelius when he wrote in his Meditations: “The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.” Your thoughts involve the beauty of poetry! You create happiness in your life and share it with us. Love the poems.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for your interesting comment, Rebecca. I always love your quotes. I find that when I write prose I can’t write poetry. It doesn’t come because my head is full of my story and I’m writing it all the time in my head. When I am in poetry mode, poems come left, right and centre. You may have noticed – haha!
LikeLiked by 2 people
wow… both are so lovely, Roberta 🤍
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent, Robbie! Impressive multitasking (driving and creating). 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Dave, I usually write poetry going and often chat about it to Michael. I write it down in the parking lot and then listen to my audio book home or to work. It is efficient time usage.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely, and so clever to remember them, such a skill
LikeLiked by 2 people
hank you, it helps that i can remember them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Both are terrific…I love that you write them in your head and write them down later!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi John, thank you. I didn’t realise that was unusual. I keep my books in my head too and work on them in between. I write that all down later when I get a chance.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s very impressive…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wise and profoundly deep offerings here Robbie!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Annette
LikeLiked by 1 person
You seem to have a picture perfect memory! Both poems are beautifully done. I love the poetic license! 😊 Did you get my mail?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Balroop, I was teasing Colleen a bit with that poem. I may post another about animals. I found your email in junk mail. Outlook does that sometimes – so annoying. I have responded but I checked and see I pre-ordered your book so I will read it when it comes on the 11th. I’ll be nearly finished my current read by then as it is a short one. Hugs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Robbie, excellent work!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Charles. Poetry is wonderful for making social statements.
LikeLike
I especially like Survival.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Jennie
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Robbie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brilliant! I am so glad that you were able to write them down!
LikeLiked by 2 people
HI Donna, I write all my poems like this. Michael and I discuss them in the car and I write them in the parking lot on arrival.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wasn’t familiar with the term “lateral thinking,” so I looked it up. I tend toward linear thinking,but when dealing with problems in my career, using logic was pretty much a Mobius strip of “yeah, but”s. I usually came up with a viable solution through casual conversations with colleagues.
LikeLiked by 2 people
HI Liz, I am delighted I could introduce you to a new concept. I am a lateral thinker and rarely discuss anything with colleagues. I went so far on Monday as to tell my work partner that I will rewrite a document for her provided she doesn’t make me use a junior resource – aren’t I naughty!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, to naughty! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those were fun poems. I am impressed that you could make them up while driving and remember them. If it were me I would have had stop and write it down making Michael late for school. But I don’t know how to write poems.
LikeLiked by 2 people
HI Thomas, syllabic poems are great for logical thinkers so you could if you applied your mind to it. It’s like putting a puzzle together with words. I always remember things in my head. It’s funny, because I see most people don’t do this from the comments. I didn’t know it was unusual.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Both perspectives carry wisdom. I could relate immediately to the second one. One doesn’t need a flock at times.
LikeLiked by 2 people
HI Reena, thank you for the great picture challenge. I like writing for pictures and intriguing quotes. I’m glad you enjoyed Survival.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like how you capture the essence of change and adaptation in #291. The verse’s simplicity heightens its impact, conveying the idea that life’s puzzle is constantly shifting. You emphasize the importance of adaptability through succinct language, implying that when life rearranges its pieces lateral thinking becomes our compass.
I loved how your poem encourages readers to embrace change with a resilient spirit, reminding us that the key to navigating life’s shifts lies in our ability to adjust and find new paths.
Well done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting poems. I think people need to think in other ways sometimes.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Merril, they most certainly do as some problems are new and unique. People tend to get stuck in ruts with thinking though.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, you’re right.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wanted to take a moment to tell you how much I enjoyed reading your poem, Robbie. Your words transported me to a different world. The imagery you painted with your verses was truly captivating, and the rhythm and flow added to the overall beauty of the piece. Your talent for crafting subtle metaphors and thought-provoking symbolism is truly remarkable. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful poem with us.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Bernadette, I really appreciate you lovely comment. I am so pleased you enjoy my poems which are often social statements of some sort.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m glad you weren’t writing while driving. 🙂 I enjoyed both of your poems and the touch of darkness that came through each. They seem representative of the times. Well done!
LikeLiked by 2 people
HI Diana, that is actually why I wrote that comment that has elicited so much conversation. I didn’t want people to think I wrote or typed while driving. I’m glad you enjoyed my poems. I think I am generally pretty dark with my writing unless its for children.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I figured you were forestalling an tsunami of questions. Lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful poetry, Robbie! How cool you crafted these while driving to school then you remembered them!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Terri, I wrote that comment because I didn’t want people to think I typed on my phone while driving which I do not do. It has resulted in a lot of conversation which really surprised me. I thought everyone wrote their poems in their heads but it seems that they don’t.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That makes sense, Robbie. I believe you could ditate onto a Google doc on your phone while driving or walking, but why? Not worth it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great poems, Robbie. I especially love the first one. It really gives one something to ponder!
LikeLiked by 2 people
HI Mae, thank you and especially for saying which one you liked best. That always interests me as its different for everyone.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Robbie, I’m amazed by your ability to remember what you write in your mind. I often awaken very early and think through pages of material. But if I don’t get up immediately and write it down, it’s lost. 🙄 I loved your poems.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Gwen. I generally have a good memory so I’m sure that helps.
LikeLike
Wonderful poems, Robbie, and I’m in awe that you can remember them until you can write them down. I write in my head too while driving, but I don’t always remember them if too much time passes. Sometimes, at a stop light, I’ve recorded thoughts into my phone. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Lauren, I have also done that at red robots, but not often because my sons shout at me – haha!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Too funny, Robbie. Well, I only do it when I’m stopped for a long time. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
😁
LikeLike
WOW! Love these! ❤️❤️
LikeLike
Both are such deep, powerful poems, Robbie. Love the wisdom in both.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Smitha 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Both poems are wonderful, Robbie. I like the image. LOL, it makes me dizzy! Hugs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Teagan, it’s a great picture, I had to write something for it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love how you took flock and kind of went in the opposite direction with it LOL!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha, I know. It was a bit naughty because I know everyone was expecting an animal poem but its such fun to do some unexpected.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, everyone did!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can ‘jot’ haiku in my head… but anything much longer and I (would) should stop to write it down. 🙂
Very nice verses. Life is a constange challenge of continual change.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Jules, yes, sometimes it leaves us gasping for breath.
LikeLiked by 1 person
To be wanting to creating something without the tools to make it… *sigh*
LikeLike