Our dVerse prompt today comes from Bodhirose.
The Choka or Long Poem is believed to be the most intricate of Japanese poetry and was used to tell a story; many were epic with over 100 lines. This form was popular between the 1st and 13th centuries, the earliest example was discovered in the 1st century and described a battle. It was 149 lines long. The Choka had a tradition of being recited in a high-pitched voice.
This form is based on a series of Katauta joined together. The Katauta is considered the basic unit of Japanese poetry using either the 17 (5-7-5) unit onji or the 19 (5-7-7) unit onji. In Western terms an onji is what we call a syllable. Many of us are familiar with these particular onji as we have used them in writing haiku, tanka and sedoka.
The Choka is an unrhymed poem alternating five and seven syllables that ends with an extra seven syllable line. You can use the 17 or 19 onji (syllable) style. It can be any number of lines that you choose.
So today our prompt is to tell a story in the Choka poetic tradition.
My Choka is below and is a remembering of a journey which I undertook in 2015 and which I blogged about at the time but never ‘wrote’ about.
I have for some time thought about where I might go with that, in writing terms, and the Choka seemed the perfect form to begin something. I have also contemplated writing the story of Drum Trek in the Basho style made famous in the Narrow Road to the Interior and perhaps producing my first book.
This prompt has given me plenty to ponder.
To capture a journey
How does one begin
a journey of great distance?
do not think on it
but move forward step by step
realising that
the present moment is all
and so i did this
making a choice in the now
to undertake a
rhythmical odyssey ride
to places calling
to people who had answered
no thought to time’s glance
ignore the tick and the tock
leaving from the North
John of the Groats they call it
a windswept world’s edge
i traveled many miles South
to the end of land
dipping like a giant’s toe
into the ocean
i drummed with many a folk
old friends and more new
deepening community
finding my story
in the rhythm of this place
hidden in plain sight
woven in the landscape’s dream
meeting myself here
in memories of a life
lived on this green land
since before i knew of it
whose ancient voice was
calling to a deeper part
elder’s being heard it
wise and serene seeing all
holding space for me
to see it too and to heal
deeply from old wounds
that threatened to blind my eyes
to ancestral truths
to ancestral chains that bound
to freedom waiting
whispering a long lost song
calling my spirit to soar
a beauty of tears
gifted this heart note i sang
my song with heart bare
soul aflame wordless wisdom
to my soul of now
knowing that this moment was
eternal and true
gratitude poured through my veins
it was all so clear
i had traveled many miles
to discover that
which i sought had always been
in my own story
in the bones of who i am
here where i stood deep within
LOVE this, Paul:
“move forward step by step
realising that
the present moment is all”
YES.
Thank You
This is lovely Paul, I especially like ‘in my own story – in the bones of who i am – here where i stood deep within’
Thanks
I love how you describe this journey… it actually shows how close the choka and the haibun are related. To me your trips have a similar sense as Basho’s travel to the north. Fantastic work.
That experience in marking our own time and space, realized when we leave home and return. It was always there in us..I get the feeling, I think….certainly a journey we all must take.
It’s an ongoing journey I believe.
I feel you describe a journey to the self which of course is always within us but sometimes a physical journey can help to dislodge obstacles that can then show us ourselves in a clearer light. I love this and I love your idea for a book using Basho’s template. Really enjoyed this, Paul, and thank you for adding your voice to the choka prompt.
You are welcome. I agree that the doing is often more effective at moving stuff than the thinking about. In this case a lot was shifted/discovered.
To misquote Eliot – You landed at the end and knew yourself for the first time. Ah blow the winds southerly …what a journey of words, a travelogue of emotions. The choka has freed you – look forward to the book!
Not familiar with that Eliot phrase so will go check it out. I think that I have found myself many times to be honest…and then lost ‘me’ again 😉
We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.
Eliots “little Gidding” – think you will like its beat
http://www.columbia.edu/itc/history/winter/w3206/edit/tseliotlittlegidding.html
Thanks. That looks like an epic. I’ll get the coffee on and have a read.
“I have measured out my life with coffee spoons” 😉
Goodness, this poem sings to my heart ~ Love the journey and the concluding reflection of one’s walk Paul ~
Thank you Grace. I’m glad it found a home with you.
what an amazing write you have penned here….of life’s journey, bravery, and the world you have traversed as you know it.
Thank you
Oh Paul….this is truly wondrous. I travel with you in your words. So many wondrous points that I stopped and felt….and then the ending you’ve provided.
“to discover that
which i sought had always been
in my own story
in the bones of who i am
here where i stood deep within”
What a wonderful realization….what a wonderful journey.
Thank You for this lovely comment Lillian.So happy it resonated with you.