Colleen’s 2019 Weekly Poetry Challenge – Slow & Work
Here is this week’s Colleen’s 2019 Weekly Tanka Tuesday Poetry Challenge No. 121, “Slow & Work,” #SynonymsOnly
January 12 to 20, 2019, a group of family members from West Coast of the U.S.A. traveled to Hong Kong to celebrate my nephew’s wedding, a joyous begging of a new journey. It was a marathon ceremony of playing Chinese traditional games when the groom picked up the bride in the morning. The games were set by the bridesmaids and responded by the groom and best men. Only when all the games were responded, the door was open for the groom to pick up the bride. Then a modern church wedding and garden cake ceremony were held in the afternoon, and a nine-course Chinese banquet was served in the evening when the bride and mother-in-law (my sister) changed their gowns four times.
The travel pass used for transportation is call Octopus. The name fittingly describes the system of Mass Transit Railroad, Light Rail and buses. People could go anywhere in Hong Kong by hopping on and off the public transportation. Mercy and Will took Autumn hiking by themselves on many mountains I had never been before. We also went to Ocean Park to see the exotic marine life through a tunnel with display windows and glass overhead. There were rare red pandas, sea lions, otters, penguins, walrus and beautiful birds. Some of us went on the thrilling roller coaster ride.
In the midst of the trip, one of my sisters was found ill and admitted to the hospital. She passed away in three days with all the immediate family by her bedside. She took part in a Ballroom Championship contest two months before her Home going. Her beautiful image will be forever in our memories.
My sister is in rose pink dress
Celebration and Mourning
Celebration and mourning all at once,
a journey of mixed emotions and
a long flight home, stressed and saddened,
hard to get over jet lag.
With no demand of job,
I took time to let
my body find
its way back
to old
self.
The Showers of Blessings 
My goodness, Miriam. So sorry for your lost. A good thing the family was all together to support each other. Wedding sounds wonderful. Hold tight, Miriam.
Pat
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Pat.
It took me a little while to process and was glad to write a couple posts about it. It won’t be the same but we’re okay now, knowing that she had major illness but somehow she was spared from prolonged pain and suffering.
LikeLike
Wow, Miriam, this was a challenging trip with high highs and low lows. The wedding read fantastic and I loved the pictures. I wish your nephew a long, happy marriage. I’m happy you enjoyed the wedding and the Ocean Park.
I’m sorry for the loss of your sister. It is lovely that the whole family was there to see her off. I hope you’re okay, my friend. ❤ xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love your Etheree, Miriam. It described your experience perfectly. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Vashti. I just needed to write about it for my own grieving. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I understand completely. Writing about difficult situations help me get through them. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, Vashti, thank you! ❤ One blogger asked if it helps my grieving. I said it's like loosen up the knots every time I write about how I felt. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Vashti. I’m okay and my family is okay. It helps when we believe that she’s gone to a better place. The first plan was to have the funeral service on her birthday, February 16, but it’s Chinese New Year yesterday and people celebrate it for the first 15 days – until February 20. They don’t like to go to Funeral services before 15th of Chinese New Year. Now they schedule it to March 2.
I was thankful to be there for her. ❤ xox
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤ xo
LikeLike
❤ ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
PS, the Chinese wedding sounds so interesting. A lot of fun.
LikeLike
A beautiful poem, Miriam. I am sure your return flight was hard with the loss of your sister to deal with emotionally.
LikeLike
Pingback: Colleen’s 2019 #Tanka Tuesday #Poetry Challenge Recap No. 121, “Work & Slow,” #SynonymsOnly – The Faery Whisperer
So saddened about losing your dear sister. I hope the trip and time together helped ease your pain. I know the loss will never go away, as each time you wish she were with you. I hope you will take time to breathe and try to dwell on the joy of having her so long. (It is never long enough!) 💗💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Robin. Hope you’ve been doing well and lots of fun with your social media friends. ❤ 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks so much for this warm comment, Miriam. ❤️ I liked your new book cover and know it will be a hit! 🌟
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Robin. Apparent the book cover attracted some attention and some book sellers carry my book. 🙂 ❤
LikeLike
I’m so glad you have a great cover which is bringing attention to your writing, deservedly! This is my once in awhile stop by blogging world morning, Miriam! 🌟 📄 📚
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for stopping by, Robin. Hope all is with you! 🙂
LikeLike
All is well with me, thank you Miriam. 🌷😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good to hear that, Robin. 🙂 ❤
LikeLike
I didn’t get an email from you. Some of the participants have had trouble with the contact form. Anyway, you can always submit your poem to my email if you have to. You know, when I was reading your reverse Etheree, I thought about the circle of life. That is so what your family went through. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
No worries, I hope it will work well eventually. I’ll email it to you. Yes, Colleen, you’re right. My family went through the circle of life. ❤ ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
A happy, and a sad, tale all in one Miriam. It was good that the close family were all there to see your sister and to support each other.
LikeLike
It was certainly a time of mixed blessings, Miriam. Take your time to heal. Your poem expresses the journey and emotions well.
LikeLike
Take all the time you need to comfort your heart. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Dorinda. I’m done reading your book Passages and Path. May I ask what happened to your husband?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Miriam. Are you referring to a specific poem in the book?
LikeLike
Yes, a couple of them, in fact. One is Distant Dream – Why not me, instead of she. The one you long to forever see with loving eyes. Another one – The Softness of the Breeze – you had gone to Him. You left my side too early I did not understand. Why God would take you from me.
The first one seems like he left you, and the second one looks like he passed away.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my, I can see why you asked! The first one, “Distant Dream” was written for a friend who’s husband had left her. “Softness of the Breeze” was written for a friend whose husband passed suddenly. Neither one applies directly to me, though I felt closely connected. Hubby and I will be celebrating 34 years in July. All is well here ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your message. Congratulations to you 34th anniversary coming up in July.
Sometimes when I comment on poetry, I ask the writer if he/she means this and that.
I’ll do the review today or tomorrow.
Have a wonderful week ahead. ❤ ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you asked!
Thank you. I look forward to reading it! Enjoy the rest of today and the week ahead ❤ ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
The review is posted on Amazon and Goodread today. ❤ ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay!! Thank you ❤ ❤ ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome. ❤ ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Here is the post https://theshowersofblessings.com/2019/02/04/miriams-book-review-passages-and-paths-a-journey-of-life-through-poetry-by-dorinda-duclos/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! I’ll reblog tomorrow. Thank you again, Miriam ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re very welcome, Dorinda. Great poetry!! ❤ ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful and sorrowful, Miriam. Life is such a mix. Hugs. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Diana. At least, we believe she has gone to a better place. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
So sorry for your loss, Miriam… Thoughts and prayers for you and all of the family. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Bette. I appreciate you kind thoughts and prayers. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hugs…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person