the silent night sighs
with relief from the glares of man
sun rests within shade
© 2020 Ronovan Hester Copyright reserved. The author asserts his moral and legal rights over this work.
Here’s mine for today.
Immigration Nation – Netflix – August 3rd
I wanted to share something else on this post today but with this docuseries coming out Monday, August 3rd, I decided this would be a great way to see inside ICE. Yes, there are moments showing good ICE workers, but just as many opportunities to see those ICE workers you expect to see. Read the excerpt from the TIME article to see what I mean.
“…an explosive documentary that comes to Netflix on Aug. 3. Trophy co-directors Christina Clusiau and Shaul Schwarz’s six-part series offers a complex, 360-degree view of the American immigration system, combining in-depth research, empathetic storytelling and bold investigative journalism into a uniquely urgent humanitarian appeal. The project has already made national headlines thanks to pushback from ICE and the President. The New York Times recently reported that the Trump administration tried to block the filmmakers’ use of some footage, threatened legal action against their production company and “fought mightily to keep [the series] from being released until after the 2020 election.” Clusiau and Schwarz’s attorney told the paper that ICE’s intimidation tactics were even more aggressive.” Judy Berman TIME Click HERE for the full story.
HERE ARE THE BLOG SHARE BASICS
I’ll come up with a logo image soon…ish.
Physical Base Group (PBG) is what I call those who share physical characteristics, or what has been traditionally referred to as a race. There are subgroups of PBGs, and we want to learn about them all, as all PBGs are important in some way to each of our lives. You just may not know how yet.
It’s time to take an active role in our understanding of all PBGs. I’m not talking about one People, I’m talking about all People. All the flavors. Even the different flavors of Caucasians/White.
The more we know, the more current generations learn and know, the better prepared we are to have intelligent and productive conversations. Why? The more we know about each other, about the troubles each face, or the advantages others have, the more we understand why PBGs look at other PBGs the way they do.
Although this site has posted poetry prompts leaning toward racial issues, and posted sites for learning and understanding, I believe we need to do something more, something real. Or as real as a blog can be. And hopefully useful to those who visit.
The more that know… the more that share… the more that learn. And the more that understand.
© 2020- Ronovan Hester Copyright reserved. The author asserts his moral and legal rights over this work.
Welcome to the Décima Poetry Challenge. Each week we’ll be attempting a Décima, also known as an Espinela, poem.
If you don’t know how to write a Décima, click HERE to go to a post on how to write one.
Or…
Keep reading and find out, with an example included.
One last thing before we jump in the creativity pool, check out my weekly Haiku Challenge that often has prompts (Destruct and Self this week) that share a central theme, at least in my head, with the Décima Poetry Challenge prompt.
Back to our schedule Décima Poetry Challenge how to and whatnot.
If you can’t come up with a Décima using the given prompt, you can use a Synonym instead. I don’t want to stall your creativity, and with the possibility of a synonym, you will certainly write something amazing…or in my case, something that rhymes.
Sites to help:
RhymeZone.com
Thesaurus.com
HowManySyllables.com
Here is the quick description of a Décima:
There are 10 lines of poetry that rhyme. 8 syllables.
There is a set rhyming pattern we must stick to. abbaaccddc
The prompt word given (in the post heading) must appear at the end of one of the given rhyme lines, either A, B, C, or D.
Let’s look at the rhyme pattern once again and you will see what I mean.
The rhyming pattern is abbaaccddc.
For example, if I say, “(NAME) This week it’s the C rhyme line” in the post heading, my Décima might be:
You took time, with a deadeye aim,
because you saw me scratch an itch,
this wound to my head needs a stitch.
Feel so bad, don’t know my own name.
Not hiding, because there’s no shame.
Get ready for when I get healed,
for your ending will be revealed.
It’s too late when you hear the crack.
That’s when it’s time for some payback.
Then I’ll be carried far afield.
Notice the example prompt word ‘name’ is in the fourth line A spot, and its rhymes are in lines one and five, matching the rhyming pattern of abbaaccddc.
For today’s challenge, the word GROW must be one of the C line words. Then the other C line(s) word(s) must rhyme with GROW.
Sometimes you break the rhyme into two stanzas using the following rhyme pattern. abba/accddc.
Once you complete your poem and post it on your blog, copy the link and place it in the comments in this post. That way other people can visit your post and check out your poem. You can also put the link of this challenge in your post to let your followers know where to go if they want to participate. This is called a Pingback. This is not mandatory to join in or to put your post link in the comments. Click HERE to find out how to do a Pingback.
Reblogging is great as well.
Some people like to copy and paste the challenge image into their posts. That’s okay with me.
© 2020 Ronovan Hester Copyright reserved. The author asserts his moral and legal rights over this work.
I self-destruct when
your words are lost from my life
dread pervades this void
dread pervades this void
as my ego begs for hope
life devastates me
life devastates me
when your eyes embrace with mine
own these thoughts hunger
own these thoughts hunger
and thirst to demolish walls
for identities
haiku-poetry-prompt-challenge-316 destruct and self
Destruct and Self
© 2020 Ronovan Hester Copyright reserved. The author asserts his moral and legal rights over this work.
Haiku Challenge 315 Poets Collected
For Haiku Poetry links from the past week’s challenge.
My Fresh Pages: Whispers Décima – My Fresh Pages
Prairie Chat: No Finer Pals – PrairieChat
MMA Storytime: Follow the Rules
Frank Hubeny: Kind – Poetry, Short Prose and Walking
The Hidden Edge: Ch#23 – (Just one thing) – Laura McHarrie @ The Hidden Edge
Revived Writer: Be Kind | revivedwriter
Mindfills: Apple Pie Décima
willowdot21: Ronovan Writes Décima Poetry Challenge Prompt No. 15 (KIND) This week, it’s the B rhyme line. | willowdot21
EASTELMHURST.A.GO.GO: Miss Kitti’s Flowers – eastelmhurst.a.go.go
imanikingblog: A Different Kind of Kind | imanikingblog
RonovanWrites: To Peace and Pride- a poem. | ronovanwrites
Out for a Troll One Wednesday Morn
He was stirring the pot a mite,
a product of a rankled mind,
Much malice; few would call it kind
And so, I thought to shed some light.
His knives were out, so was the shite
And kindness seen as artless sham,
A weak response, simply flimflam.
Oh, some said, “don’t be such a douche,
Don’t be ornery, sign a truce.”
“Nay”, he said, “that’s not who I am.”
Please come by on Wednesday for the new Décima Poetry Challenge. I sometimes have the prompt related to the Haiku words. It’s kind of fun to have the two work together in your own poetry.
Click HERE for last week’s Haiku links using the prompt words Chimpanzee and Kiss.
Check out the responses below in the comments for links to our Poets haiku this week.
Useful Links.
Thesaurus: Destruct, Self
HowManySyllables.com
Thesaurus.com
Merriam-Webster Dictionary
The Guidelines:
Not sure how to write a Haiku? Click HERE for a quick How to write Haiku Poem in English Form with links to posts for other forms of Haiku.
Much Respect-Much Love
Ronovan
to destruct a tree
is a penalty of self
a household blessing
I composed this in response to Jibber Jabber with Sue’s poetry prompt of TREE, Pensitivity’s Three Things Challenge of BLESSING, HOUSEHOLD, and PENALTY. and my Haiku Poetry Challenge words DESTRUCT and SELF. Click the links to go to the challenges.
daily-jibberjabber-word-prompts-july-22ND-july-28th
blessing household penalty
haiku-poetry-prompt-challenge-316-destruct-self
Destruct and Self
© 2020 Ronovan Hester Copyright reserved. The author asserts his moral and legal rights over this work.
Lillie-Put: The Monkey’s Death Kiss | Lillie-Put
Whippet Wisdom: Tanka: Walking Lightly
WillowDot21: Ronovan Writes #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge 315 Chimpanzee&Kiss | willowdot21
To Wear A Rainbow: selfie | To Wear A Rainbow
Queen Nandini: My Haikus with the words Chimpanzee & Kiss | queennandini
Quilted Poetry: You know you want to
Endless Rivers: Self-Talk – Endless Rivers
JilyWily (J-Dubs): Haiku – Chimpanzee & Kiss – J-Dubs Grin and Bear It
Prairie Chat: Haiku/Tanka Challenge (7/20/20) – PrairieChat
The Hidden Edge: Cheery bye! Weekly Haiku Prompt #315 – Laura McHarrie @ The Hidden Edge
Mindfills: https://mindfills.wordpress.com/2020/07/20/breezy-a-haiku/
MMA Storytime: Tucked In With Violence
Tina Stewart Brakebill: the monkey* – Tina Stewart Brakebill
Isaiah46Ministries|Hope from Heaven: All Love is Beautiful! – Help from Heaven
Scribblans: Sometimes I Don’t Rhymes: Chimpanzee and Kiss – Scribblans
LSS Attitude of Grattiude: Ronovan Writes Haiku – Chimpanzee & Kiss – ❀ Welcome To LSS Attitude of Gratitude❀
Ronovan Writes: Through My Eyes – a poem | ronovanwrites
chimp à trois – a poem | ronovanwrites
The Mysterious Blogger: Politics As Usual Self-Talk – The Mysterious Blogger
Stine Writing: Ronovan Writes #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge 315 Chimpanzee&Kiss – Stine Writing
Excerpt from The Book of Jobs-A Memoir of a Disorganized Life
Yes, I smooched a chimp.
Once. Fred his name was, or hers.
Quit the Zoo next day.
© 2020 Ronovan Hester Copyright reserved. The author asserts his moral and legal rights over this work.
why do chimpanzee
swingers have need of safe words
or kiss baboon butts
haiku-poetry-prompt-challenge-315-chimpanzee-kiss
Chimpanzee&Kiss
© 2020 Ronovan Hester Copyright reserved. The author asserts his moral and legal rights over this work.
While I am doing the Collected Poets links for the various challenges, I would like to know what you want to happen when you click the links.
This would begin with Décima Challenge 15 Poets Collected.
(I’ve already started the Haiku Challenge Collected for this week.)
Please use the poll form to give your answer.
It doesn’t require any information, just click your preference.
(I tested it.)
Souls seek to make right the wrong,
by the resetting of the mind,
and the relearning to be kind…
the steps of healing… will be strong.
The path of progress will be long,
first highs then lows to overcome,
by strength, by faith we’ll succumb.
With the liberties of this land,
equally in each person’s hand…
peace and pride… will finally come.
My entry for this week’s Décima Poetry Challenge No. 15 KIND. (A New Challenge here on ronovanwrites.com)
© 2020- Ronovan Hester Copyright reserved. The author asserts his moral and legal rights over this work.
A great link at the bottom that you will enjoy and learn from.
Here is the first post I’m sharing.
“The phrase “white supremacy” is often invoked in reference to the Ku Klux Klan or white nationalist extremism, rather than as a system of power with long historical roots. Crystal Marie Fleming, author of How to Be Less Stupid About Race: On Racism, White Supremacy and the Racial Divide…” (Excerpt from the article on Pocket.)
Click the link below for 14 articles, podcasts, and videos to help your understanding of systemic white supremacy in the power positions of America. (Please don’t say systematic.)
Beyond the KKK: Understanding White Supremacy as a System of Power
HERE IS THE NEW WEEKLY BLOGGER EVENT SHARE
It’s time to take an active role in our understanding of people. I’m not talking about one People, I’m talking about all People. All the flavors. Even peculiar flavors of Vanilla.
Up front, I want you to know that I do not consider there to be races, in the plural, but just one race, the Human Race. But there are what I call distinct People Groups. People Groups are those who share physical characteristics. There are subgroups of some People Groups, and yes, we want to learn about those, as all People Groups are important.
Some will immediately think of the issues the Black Community are, and have been, facing for innumerable years, and what we will learn. This is understandable. But I want to learn about all People Groups.
The more we know, the more current generations learn and know, the better we prepared we are to have intelligent and productive conversations. Why? The more we know about each other, about the troubles each face, or the advantages others have, the more we understand why People Groups look at other People Groups the way they do.
Although this site has posted poetry prompts leaning toward racial issues, and posted sites for learning and understanding, I believe we need to do something more, something real. Or as real as a blog can be. And hopefully useful to those who visit.
So, on Thursdays I want us to share one book, article, poem, song, album, site, event, or other on-topic sharing opportunities that will help us move forward with our thinking.
Share the link to what you have to share in the comments of the weekly post here. If you post something on your blog, copy it into the comments on the Thursday post on this site, or create a ping back in your own post back to the Forward Thinking Thursday post here on Ronovan Writes. I’ll come up with a logo image soon…ish.
The more that know… the more that share… the more that learn. And the more that understand.
Here is the first post I’m sharing.
“The phrase “white supremacy” is often invoked in reference to the Ku Klux Klan or white nationalist extremism, rather than as a system of power with long historical roots. Crystal Marie Fleming, author of How to Be Less Stupid About Race: On Racism, White Supremacy and the Racial Divide…” (Excerpt from the article on Pocket.)
Click the link below for 14 articles, podcasts, and videos to help your understanding of systemic white supremacy in the power positions of America. (Please don’t say systematic.)
Beyond the KKK: Understanding White Supremacy as a System of Power
© 2020- Ronovan Hester Copyright reserved. The author asserts his moral and legal rights over this work.
Welcome to the Décima Poetry Challenge. Each week we’ll be attempting a Décima, also known as an Espinela, poem.
If you don’t know how to write a Décima, click HERE to go to a post on how to write one.
Or…
Keep reading and find out, with an example included.
One last thing before we jump in the creativity pool, check out my weekly Haiku Challenge that often has prompts (Chimpanzee&Kiss this week) that share a central theme, at least in my head, with the Décima Poetry Challenge prompt.
Back to our schedule Décima Poetry Challenge how to and whatnot.
If you can’t come up with a Décima using the given prompt, you can use a Synonym instead. I don’t want to stall your creativity, and with the possibility of a synonym, you will certainly write something amazing…or in my case, something that rhymes.
Sites to help:
RhymeZone.com
Thesaurus.com
HowManySyllables.com
Here is the quick description of a Décima:
There are 10 lines of poetry that rhyme. 8 syllables.
There is a set rhyming pattern we must stick to. abbaaccddc
The prompt word given (in the post heading) must appear at the end of one of the given rhyme lines, either A, B, C, or D.
Let’s look at the rhyme pattern once again and you will see what I mean.
The rhyming pattern is abbaaccddc.
For example, if I say, “(NAME) This week it’s the A rhyme line” in the post heading, my Décima might be:
You took time, with a deadeye aim,
because you saw me scratch an itch,
this wound to my head needs a stitch.
Feel so bad, don’t know my own name.
Not hiding, because there’s no shame.
Get ready for when I get healed,
for your ending will be revealed.
It’s too late when you hear the crack.
That’s when it’s time for some payback.
Then I’ll be carried far afield.
Notice the example prompt word ‘name’ is in the fourth line A spot, and its rhymes are in lines one and five, matching the rhyming pattern of abbaaccddc.
For today’s challenge, the word KIND must be one of the B line words. Then the other B line(s) word(s) must rhyme with KIND.
Sometimes you break the rhyme into two stanzas using the following rhyme pattern. abba/accddc.
Once you complete your poem and post it on your blog, copy the link and place it in the comments in this post. That way other people can visit your post and check out your poem. You can also put the link of this challenge in your post to let your followers know where to go if they want to participate. This is called a Pingback. This is not mandatory to join in or to put your post link in the comments. Click HERE to find out how to do a Pingback.
Reblogging is great as well.
Some people like to copy and paste the challenge image into their posts. That’s okay with me.
© 2020 Ronovan Hester Copyright reserved. The author asserts his moral and legal rights over this work.
through simian eyes
she can almost see freedom
from behind cold bars
from behind cold bars
kind voices spur her dreams hope
pony her language
pony her language
for true insight to open
effort must happen
effort must happen
to bring quality of trust
be shepherds of life
The definition of PONY here is “a literal translation of a foreign language text“. For example, Robert Pinsky is reported to have used a literal translation in preparing his translation of Dante‘s Inferno (1994), as he does not know Italian. Similarly, Richard Pevear worked from literal translations provided by his wife, Larissa Volokhonsky, in their translations of several Russian novels.
This poem uses the Haiku form with a repeating pattern of the 3rd line of one stanza being the 1st line of the next. I started this pattern during a previous post. Give it a try if you like.
I composed this in response to Jibber Jabber with Sue’s poetry prompt of QUALITY, Pensitivity’s Three Things Challenge of PONY, ALMOST, and FROM. and my Haiku Poetry Challenge words CHIMPANZEE and KISS. Click the links to go to the challenges.
daily-jibberjabber-word-prompts-july-15th-july-21st/
pony almost from
haiku-poetry-prompt-challenge-315-chimpanzee-kiss
Chimpanzee&Kiss
© 2020 Ronovan Hester Copyright reserved. The author asserts his moral and legal rights over this work.
My Fresh Pages: Empty Nest Décima
Prairie Chat: La Poesía Dice “Beep-Beep”
MMA Storytime: A Night of Fights
Frank Hubeny: Bird – Poetry, Short Prose and Walking
The Hidden Edge: thehiddenedge.co.uk/2020/07/19/no-regrets-ch19-ju…
Revived Writer: https://revivedwriter.wordpress.com/2020/07/18/the-birds-outside/
Mindfills: https://mindfills.wordpress.com/2020/07/17/waves-a-decima/
Beak Season
I won’t swear it’s true, but I heard,
Though I was under the weather,
Near knocked down by a feather,
When they said, “she was shot. A bird.”
“A bird?” I said, picked up my gourd,
Swallowed that sweet strong elixir,
Shook my noggin, “That’ll fix er,”
I said, my condition, I meant,
“Not her, with the bird bullet spent,
That is one heck of a trick, Sir.”
Already with 18 poets as of Tuesday 11:59 PM. Missing some of my people from last week.
Please come by on Wednesday for the new Décima Poetry Challenge. I sometimes have the prompt related to the Haiku words. It’s kind of fun to have the two work together in your own poetry.
Check out the responses below in the comments for links to our Poets haiku this week.
Useful Links.
Thesaurus: Chimpanzee, Kiss
HowManySyllables.com
Thesaurus.com
Merriam-Webster Dictionary
The Guidelines:
Not sure how to write a Haiku? Click HERE for a quick How to write Haiku Poem in English Form with links to posts for other forms of Haiku.
Much Respect-Much Love
Ronovan
Anisha at CRaY NeRds https://crazienerds.wordpress.com/2020/07/18/finger-planet-haiku/
Lillie-Put: To Touch The World
Whippet Wisdom: Wide New World
WillowDot21: https://willowdot21.wordpress.com/2020/07/15/ronovan-writes-weekly-haiku-poetry-prompt-challenge-314-fingerplanet/
Cobbled Contemplations: Mark None Can Miss
To Wear A Rainbow: Mother Earth…haiku
The Bag Lady: Ronovanwrites Weekly Haiku Poetry Prompt 7-14-20 – The Bag Lady
Queen Nandini: My Haikus with the words Finger & Planet | queennandini —“All four of my haikus are about people and things that happen in the Hindu epic of Mahabharata.”
Quilted Poetry: Venus and Mars.
The Tenth Zodiac: https://thetenthzodiac.wordpress.com/2020/07/14/haiku-prompt-challenge-ronovan-2/
Endless Rivers: Eyes on the Ball – Endless Rivers
JilyWily (J-Dubs): Haiku – Finger & Planet – J-Dubs Grin and Bear It
Annette Rochelle Aben: Lend A Hand
Prairie Chat: Haiku 314 7/13/2020 – PrairieChat
The Hidden Edge: Finger Pointing
Mindfills: Planet
MMA Storytime The Champ Reigns Supreme
My Fresh Pages: Maps Haiku – My Fresh Pages
Oneta Hayes (Sweet aroma) GOD’S PAINTBRUSH | Sweet aroma
The Human Condition
Our fingers fiddle
With planet earth; so careless,
so thoughtless are we.
© 2020 Ronovan Hester Copyright reserved. The author asserts his moral and legal rights over this work.
Cole and Marmalade are two Famous cats who love helping people learn about cats and all their greatness. In this video the Cat Daddy himself, Jackson Galaxy visits and jumps in for this special video. Galaxy is seen on Animal Planet in his show My Cat From Hell, where he helps owners with their cats who have behavior problems.
Watch this video and share it.
There are things I can’t see
right here in front of me
but I know
I know
I’m too tired to flee
running to be free
but I go
I go
Please God hear my pleas
I’m down on my knees
please save me
save me
I’m hanging from this tree
with no words from thee
no guarantee
guarantee
Will I see you soon
please kill this typhoon
pain and misery
misery

© 2020 Ronovan Hester Copyright reserved. The author asserts his moral and legal rights over this work.
It feels like this brain’s been interred,
for I can’t seem to get inspired.
My genius has expired, it’s tired.
Oops, did Daffy just gird his bird?
Aargh, this confounded absurd word.
I’m just too stubborn to admit,
I should’ve ducked, I should’ve quit.
This head up here is Grade…A…Prime.
I never have grief with a rhyme.
It’s done, never shook, not one bit.
One week I do an alliteration Décima. Now this week, this catastrophe. Next week I’ll write one on Sunday before everyone else writes the good ones. I like to be original. Even if it is originally bad. (Maybe I’ll write the Décima first, then pick the challenge word. Yeah, that”s the ticket.)
My entry for this week’s Décima Poetry Challenge No. 14 BIRD. (A New Challenge here on ronovanwrites.com)
© 2020 Ronovan Hester Copyright reserved. The author asserts his moral and legal rights over this work.