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Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/12394-Valentines-Day-is-for-Friends-Too.html
Poetry: February 07, 2024 Issue [#12394]




 This week: Valentine’s Day is for Friends, Too
  Edited by: Red Writing Hood <3 Author IconMail Icon
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Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter



"Poetry is a deal of joy and pain and wonder, with a dash of the dictionary."

Khalil Gibran



"With me poetry has not been a purpose, but a passion."

Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849)



"A poem is a communication from one soul to another that makes one or both hearts sing."

Walter Mayes





Word from our sponsor



Letter from the editor




Valentine’s Day is for Friends, Too




Valentine’s Day is fast approaching.


So, I looked through my box of holiday cards, and would you believe it? I had a few Valentine’s Day cards in there. They were remnants of the cards I got my kids to give out to their classmates and friends. Looking at the cards and their cute little puns made me think about all the different kinds of love that exist. We often focus on the physical love—the passionate love—but there are more types of love in the world, which inspired me to share the poetry form below for you to break tradition and use it to explore all the people, places, and things you love.


If you need some idea starters see the “Of Note” section below.



Somonka - a Love Letter in Poetry Form


If you are familiar with the tanka poetry form, you will understand the somonka form. As a reminder, the tanka is a Japanese love poem—a love note. The somonka is putting two tankas together as “a declaration of love” and “a response” (Turco 263).



MUST HAVES


--Two tankas minimum.

--2 authors (or two voices—see “of note” section).

--Follow the tanka form (5-7-5-7-7 syllables – 5 lines for each stanza).

--Love message.



COULD HAVES or WHAT IS THE POET’S CHOICE IN ALL THIS?


--Any type of love, although it is traditionally a love between a man and woman (see “of note” section).

--You could stick to the traditional one pair of tankas or expand it to several pairs.



OF NOTE:


As mentioned above, this form is traditionally a love between a man and a woman; however, I can see how this form could be used to explore all kinds of love relationships. This could be between a man and woman (lovers, friends, father/daughter, mother/son, and so on), two men (lovers, brothers, father/son, friends, etc.), two women (lovers, sisters, mother/daughter, friends, and so on), a person and pet, a person and an inanimate object or activity (do you love your car, computer, shoes, playing basketball or pickleball?), a person and place, a person and an emotion—the possibilities are endless!



SOURCE NOTES:


Turco, Lewis. The Book of Forms. 3rd. Lebanon, New Hampshire: University Press of New England, 2000.



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Editor's Picks



Theme: Other types of love poetry


 
For the Love of Chess Open in new Window. [E]
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 For the Greater Good of the Game Open in new Window. [E]
Despite our goal of near perfection, we must love the sports and games we play - a poem.
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by A Guest Visitor

 Sister Open in new Window. [E]
On my life's journey , I found a fellow late bloomer who is now my Sis! (acrostic)
by Mr. K Author Icon

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With special friends, we cry, laugh and rant; our faults are rightly exposed.
by Kenzie Author Icon

 A Pet's Love Open in new Window. [E]
Just how a pet can help people. Thanks to my dogs Ruby and Amie for the inspiration!
by Stripes Author Icon



 
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Ask & Answer



Have a question, answer, problem, solution, tip, trick, cheer, jeer, or extra million lying around?

If so, send it through the feedback section at the bottom of this newsletter OR click the little envelope next to my name Red Writing Hood <3 Author IconMail Icon and send it through email.


Comments on last month's newsletter:


From: Monty Author Icon
Comment: Fine idea Red but my inspiration seems to be resting.


Been there!


From: 🌕 HuntersMoon Author Icon
Comment: Tried finding an example. Nope. Asked ChatGPT. Nope. Maybe stick to forms that we can get a sense of and see if we're getting close. *Laugh* Still, interesting.


Glad you found it interesting! I'm not surprised it was difficult, as it is an old poetry form. However, I always try to leave a source list for this and other reasons. Since I am the Google Goddess (now proven superior to ChatGPT *Wink**Delight**Laugh*), I've added a couple of links to assist you in your quest


https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Book_of_Forms/rFbSEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1...


https://www.writersdigest.com/write-better-poetry/descort-poetic-form


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