Lightning, Compression Poetry

Posted on by Colleen M. Chesebro

This week for #TankaTuesday I’ve written a Compression poem. It’s syllabic: 4, 5, 6, 6, 5, 4 with a rhyme scheme of a, x, a, x, x, a. I’m not sure I could have finished this without the help of the RhymeZone, an excellent word rhyming tool.

My goal in 2023 is to work with more syllabic rhyming forms. Rhyming has always been difficult for me—which fueled my love for non-rhyming forms… but there is a certain beauty to the rhymes. It will take a lot of practice for me to feel comfortable. I feel this poem is too contrived, or maybe too compressed would be a better way to look at it. I think the message comes through. Lightning kills. 


lightning bolts strike
uncertain power
pierced by deadly shrike
a message from the gods
take heed or beware
flares end—warlike

© Colleen M. Chesebro

Did you know in Celtic Ireland, the people believed poets possessed a magical capacity? Society believed that poetry, or poetic expression, was intrinsically related to a form of magic or magical clairvoyance that gave poets an unusual power.

My words of Wisdom… Remember, as poets, always use your words wisely.

47 thoughts on “Lightning, Compression Poetry”

  1. I also struggle with rhymes, Colleen, unless I’m writing silly children’s poems. So you seem brave to me to stretch yourself. And I didn’t know that the Celts thought poets had magical powers! But of course!

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    1. There’s a story there, Diana. I can touch the edges but never fully know how to grab it and make it into a novel. I need a class in developing ideas. Not all are worthy of a novel. LOL! The rhyming adds another dimension to the syllabic forms for sure.

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  3. I struggle more with syllables than rhymes. 🤣 But sometimes, rhyme does sound too sing-song.
    I like that idea about poets have magical capabilities. I had a dream a few nights ago that I don’t remember except it had to do with the power of words.

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    1. You have the magic! The power of words flows from your fingertips. Those rhymes come to you so easily… it’s another part of word-play I always struggled with. I always felt that rhyming words were like doilies… too pretty, too much. My comfort zone has always been in the brevity of words. LOL! But, you and Jane have opened my eyes to another dimension of poetry. The syllabic rhyming forms are a natural progression. I feel ready to experiment when I didn’t before. I’ve also been writing more freestyle poetry. You and Jane inspire me! 💜 And, Happy October! 🎃

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      1. Thank you! ❤️
        I go through rhyming periods. For a while, I hardly wrote any because I’ve been working on imagist poems and poems for publication.
        I think your syllabic prompts helped me learn, but now I sometimes find the forms too confining–though not the brevity so much.
        Happy October to you!

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        1. I think there is a definite call or desire to write the Japanese forms. There is something there that speaks to me, but others don’t feel it. (Just like I struggle with the rhymes). LOL! I like that we all have poetry magic in us. We have to dig around and find it, but it’s there and a little different for all of us.

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      1. Yay, and most welcome! We’ve been busy because our building is being pressure washed and painted so we had a ton of stuff to move from our balcony. Hopefully, I’ll get back to writing some poetry other than posts already scheduled.

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        1. Oh, I know what you mean. I’ve been so busy. I had to plant grass in the front where so much died this summer in the drought. Lugging dirt… ugh! My hubby is a 100% disabled Vet, so I try to pick up the slack. The other day, I tripped in my office and whacked my knees. What a klutz. I’m fine, just a few bruises and I feel silly. LOL! ❤️

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          1. Oh, no! I’m glad you’re okay! I have my klutzy moments and feel silly too! As long as we’re not hurt badly and can laugh at it, then we’ll be okay.

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  11. Colleen,
    In many of the Dragon fantasy stories that I have read the Bards are indeed seem to possess a great power. Perhaps one of political awarness as well as compassion 🙂

    Words are little jewels strung together in sentences. Written or not – yes words have power and should be used after listening 🙂

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  12. I like this form and the form name is apt, as it definitely gets the message through. I use rhymezone for EVERYTHING! It’s the handiest site I know for rhymes, near rhymes, synonyms, etc. and the emphasis and syllable sorting is priceless!

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