A Cherita (inverted)

winter storms in
the devil in disguise 
disturbing tranquility

neighbour blows away the offering
saved my back the trouble

it was just the slightest kindness

©Heather Carr-Rowe
The Skeptic’s Kaddish W3 Prompt # 194 is given to us by Nolcha Fox. 

We are asked to write a Cherita on one of the following themes:
Cave
Special delivery (I chose this)
Missing road sign

 A Cherita is the Malay word for story or  tale. A traditional cherita unfolds in three verses, each growing in length:

Verse 1: one line
Verse 2: two lines
Verse 3: three lines

You’re also welcome to rearrange the order of the verses (Cherita Terbalik)

James Crews, weekly pause, Invitation to Write: You might borrow his line: it was just the slightest kindness.

Beginning 2026

My heart trembles in the current winds.
Blood boils as anguish builds with the
callousness of those bound by
greed - in their tainted minds
world governance by
strength, force, power -
care lacking,
my heart
aches.

©Heather Carr-Rowe
The Skeptic’s Kaddish W3 Prompt # 193 is given to us by Carol Anne. 

Write a Nonet about the new year — 2026. How does this year feel to you so far? Are you hopeful, uncertain, energized, reflective? Have you set any goals or intentions? Are there resolutions you’re excited (or nervous) about?

Let your poem capture your thoughts, expectations, and emotions as we step into this new year.

Nonet Form: Line 1 — 9 syllables and then each line decreases by one syllable until you reach Line 9- one syllable.

The Cat’s Perspective

Samsung Phone

Bushboys Last on the Card Challenge

I am but a cat or so they say...
I am sophisticated in my stare.

"Oscar, stop that!"

Babbled nonsense.

"Why are you trouble,
be kind to your sister for 
she is elderly?"

The human barks like a dog.

I try to show her, but her eyes are closed.
Play is where it's at. 
Climb a tree, steal the yarn, 
run, jump...budump, budump..
It will set you free. 
You will whisper like a purr.
She does not get it. 
-shoos me, ME!

"We need a break!"

Minion, whatever lady...
(big yawn here)
I lift my tail, strut on by.

©Heather Carr-Rowe
The Skeptic’s Kaddish W3 Prompt # 192 is given to us by Josie Holford. 
Josie asks us to write a poem (up to 20 lines) as a conversation, text thread, or inner dialogue. Let the two voices go back and forth — negotiating, hesitating, contradicting — but never quite landing on a plan. Play with repetition and everyday details to build tension and show who these people are. Slip in small observations that make the moment feel real. And when you get to the end… leave it unresolved.

Ragtag Daily Prompt: Perspective

By the Lea

Sunrise on my morning commute, Dec. 1, 2025, for the Weekend Sky #150
This sea that bares her bosom to the moon
she ripples pink at sun rise.
Is she but an illusion to make us swoon
and whisper promise from our sleepy eyes?

Breathe deeply to our vision sense
this sea that sets our heart afire.
For she gathered moon without offence
to let the day transpire.

So might I, standing on this pleasant lea,
before the sea becomes winter grey
beg a wish, and a plea
to let my heart sashay?

©Heather Carr-Rowe
The Skeptic’s Kaddish W3 Prompt # 190 is given to us by Sally. 

Sally asks us to Choose one phrase from William Wordsworth's “The world is too much with us,” and steal it—boldly and poetically. Weave the phrase into our own poem in any way we like; it should be recognizable, but the poem should be ours.

I felt the need to steal two lines (highlighted below):

The World Is Too Much With Us’ by Wordsworth

The world is too much with us; late and soon,
Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers;—
Little we see in Nature that is ours;
We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon!
This Sea that bares her bosom to the moon;
The winds that will be howling at all hours,
And are up-gathered now like sleeping flowers;
For this, for everything, we are out of tune;
It moves us not. Great God! I’d rather be
A Pagan suckled in a creed outworn;
So might I, standing on this pleasant lea,
Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn;
Have sight of Proteus rising from the sea;
Or hear old Triton blow his wreathèd horn.

Small Generosities

 Pittsburgh people by Reynold H. Weidenaar.

clapboard houses 
stacked upon a cliff wall
residents clutch hope
believe in the smaller generosities;
a neighbourly natter,
smoke in the chimney,
soup on the stove

©Heather Carr-Rowe
The Skeptic’s Kaddish W3 Prompt # 189 is given to us by Violet Lentz. 

We are asked to choose one of three artworks, Pittsburgh People, Jeunesse Passe Vite Vertu! Horses in Dresden with People Strolling and let it take you wherever it wants. Write whatever it stirs in you — a memory, a question, a scene, a poem. All images are open-use selections from the National Gallery of Art website.

James Crews, weekly pause, Invitation to Write: You might borrow my first line here, or even just the idea of it: “Believe in the smaller generosities…” Name those pockets of warmth for yourself, articulating what you trust in the most when the world around you starts to feel dark and cold.

Ragtag Daily Prompt: clutch

Melancholy


night steps lightly
darkens the path 
intermittent snow swirls
as still as shadows dance

notes take flight,
breathe the melody 
a verdant wave serenades
the dreamer that dreams no more

©Heather Carr-Rowe
The Skeptic’s Kaddish W3 Prompt # 187 is given to us by A.J. Wilson. 

This week’s challenge is to write a piece of “musical poetry” inspired by an instrumental guitar track.

Listen to “Canción Triste” by Jesse Cook from the album Vertigo:

Gutter Trash

discarded, 
dropped,
released,  
swept up with the leaves

disused,
stepped on,
tread upon,
flattened in the street

dismissed,
ignored,
cardboard
gutter trash, that's me

©Heather Carr-Rowe
The Skeptic’s Kaddish W3 Prompt # 186 is given to us by Dennis Johnstone. 
Write a poem consisting of three quatrains (12 lines total).

Your subject must be an unimportant, non-emotive object that carries no nostalgia, metaphorical uplift, or symbolic gravitas. It simply is.

Let the object speak in its own voice (1st person) or describe it with cool clarity (objective 3rd person).
Avoid sentiment, life lessons, or moral turns.
You may use meter, free verse, rhyme, or no rhyme: anything goes as long as the tone stays grounded and unvarnished.
The object should remain exactly what it is, even at the end: no transformation.

Possibility

Maximus Mazar – unsplash.com
winter comes and goes
shaping possibilities
snowflakes at her fingertips

blue-white, solitude
sculpted by mother nature
branches bear the weight

©Heather Carr-Rowe

SenHai Saturday #26

Writer’s Digest: 2025 November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 16 – write a possible poem

Ragtag Daily Prompt: snowflake

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