The #tankatuesday challenge this week is to write 3 Kimo poems, which have 10/7/6 syllables. Kimo is an Israeli version of the Haiku. The Kigo phrases we were tasked to use are “buying a new calendar”, “winter desolation”, and “trimming the Christmas tree”.
Buying a new calendar wondering
If measuring time causes
Me to lose sight of life.
Frostscapes, snowscapes, beaten down winter paths.
My winter playground, someone's
Winter desolation
Kicking the doorjamb knocks snow off my boots
I bring holly branches for
Trimming the Christmas tree
This poem shows a couple of my thought processes/ philosophies. I do often wonder how measured time puts artificial boundaries on my life. It is hard to shake the conditioning of the hours, days, weeks, months and years. Especially since I work at a school, with the Pavlovian bells ringing each period. I have no idea how to escape this cycle, but I do wonder about the impact of it.
When I saw “Winter desolation” I immediately knew I would flip that on its head. I love winter, especially snowy ones. I enjoy skiing and snowshoeing, but honestly winter hikes are all I need. Me and Anna the dog on the trails, crisp air and unlimited vistas.

Here is a link to my new poetry book, Self of Steam
Lovely reflections about winter. I agree – winter playground is more of a desolation that looms around me this year.
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“Frostscapes, snowscapes, beaten down winter paths” — incredible capture of winter. I love it! Well done, Mark.
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Thank you Gwen!
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You sound like my hubby! He loves skiing and the snow too. Me not so much, unless I am warm and the sun is shining.
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Haha! Over the years I have invested in good gear to keep me toasty. As long as my body is moving I’m good!
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Yes keeping moving is the key! Lol
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I love winter too, Mark… but I’m not as active as you are. LOL! Measured time… we all have so much to do. I know, I should look for ways to just be. Merry Christmas!
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One of the things about teaching older kids is that I can get home and get the dog out before sundown, even this time of year. Anna really helps me stay active!
I think “just being” is always a work in progress for most of us 🙂
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Congrats on the new book. I wonder too about being “confined” by time. In my old job my days were ruled by the appointment calendar. Now it’s a general framework. I enjoyed all 3 kimo. Happy holidays!
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