Carpe Diem : Jen’s Tanaga

Tags

Frog, Ghana, Proverb, Tanaga

Frog as a Carpe Diem Prompt from Jen, (Ghost Writer) using the Tanaga form.

The Tanaga is an ancient Filipino poem which has been dying out in its native language, Tagalog.  Tanagas are being encouraged in English in an attempt to reach new audiences and keep the form alive. Some sources call the Tanaga a “Filipino Haiku”, but that isn’t quite accurate.  Like an English haiku, the Tanaga counts syllables. Unlike the haiku, the pattern is four lines of 7 syllables each (7-7-7-7). The difference is that the Tanaga rhymes; it has a pattern of AABB.  In addition, ancient Tanagas were handed down through oral history and contain advice for living.

Ghanaian proverbs:

• We only see the length of the frog after its death.

• it is only when the frog is satiated with water that it burps

frog

gurgling sounds from empty pond

heard above the waking dawn

has the frog had its moment

 we plan an all black event

Copyright © Celestine Nudanu 

(05/05/14)

I appreciate your patience with me as I catch up on your blogs. Thanks a million! Shalom

 

January Small Stones: Go to the Ant

Tags

Ant, Proverb, Wisdom

Day 4 of the Mindful Writing Challenge. My third Small Stone is below.

Step by step, the housefly achieves its target of biting the dog’s ears (A Ghanaian proverb) With patience and perseverance, any goal is achievable.

Go to the Ant

I watch the ant gather food

To store for hard times

And I am amazed

Indeed, stunned

At its resilience and patience

Busy as a bee

It is indefatigable

And more striking

Is the level of wisdom

God has endowed that tiny creature with.

Thanks be to Him

There is much to learn

From the ant.

Copyright © Celestine Nudanu

4/1/13

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I appreciate your patience with me as I catch up on your blogs. Thanks a million! Shalom