L O C K D O W N C H E R I T A
This Lockdown Cherita Feature that showcased 40 published cherita from the cherita, and 6 of my own published cherita which were brushed by the lockdown, ran from 10 April and finished on 31 May 2020.
Here is the feature in its entirety for anyone who missed these timeless cherita the first time round.
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10 April 2020
We are now in our third week of lockdown in the UK due to the Coronavirus pandemic and it appears that there are no immediate plans for this lockdown to be lifted as yet, so we are told.
This has prompted me to start posting published cherita carefully selected from the 38 editions of the cherita daily, to best reflect the mood of all of us affected by Covid-19, until the end of the lockdown, starting from today.
Hopefully, these special cherita will not only help inspire all aspiring Cherita poets and writers to start telling their own stories in 6 lines but also inspire and spur on our established cherita poets and writers to lift and write us all out of this lockdown period with more of their timeless cherita.
ai li
editor
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silent nights
without you both
to fill the room
moonlit pages
of bedtime stories
left untold
Allyson Chen
This cherita is from telling a story edition one, the inaugural edition of the cherita june 2017
Poet’s response :
Thanks for the feature. Hope you are staying well and safe over there!
Allyson Chen
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11 April 2020
LOCKDOWN CHERITA
Here is our cherita for Saturday :
carry me, please
folded and safe
with this note
in a pocket
close to your breast
that I might dream well
Michael McClintock
This cherita is from no sat-nav . . . no map no regrets
edition two of the cherita july 2017
Poet’s response :
Thank you for letting me know about this. It is a good feature to have.
Thank you for being there, ai li, and let’s hope for the best and see our way through to the end of this.
Michael McClintock
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12 April 2020
LOCKDOWN CHERITA
Here is our cherita for Sunday :
you look away
from the caged birds
singing about how
they miss the trees
and the sun
on their feathers
ai li
This cherita is from volume one of two find me
edition three of the cherita august 2017
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13 April 2020
LOCKDOWN CHERITA
Here is our cherita for Easter Monday :
wandering
i often
wonder…
will i be
welcome when
i return home
Pat Geyer
This cherita is from volume two of two where the river bends
edition three of the cherita august 2017
Poet’s response :
Thank you ai li. Being in a Lockdown, I appreciate something (my cherita!) that gets my mind off of what’s going on.
Hope all is well with you. Take care and be safe.
Pat Geyer
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14 April 2020
LOCKDOWN CHERITA
Here is our cherita for Tuesday :
every morning at sunrise
when the air is crisp
and the robins sing
the street prophet
preaches
the end of days
Michael H. Lester
This cherita is from be amazed
edition four of the cherita september 2017
Poet’s response :
Thank you for including my cherita in your new “lockdown” feature! Wow! That was a long time ago!
I am glad to hear you are well and keeping safe and busy during these difficult times.
Best wishes and stay safe,
Michael H Lester
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15 April 2020
LOCKDOWN CHERITA
Here is our cherita for Wednesday :
there were roses
he couldn’t remember
anything else
only the rain
and a drowning coffin
and roses, so many white roses
Rajani Radhakrishnan
This cherita is from come cherita
edition six of the cherita november 2017
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16 April 2020
LOCKDOWN CHERITA
Here is our cherita for Thursday :
let it rain
yes, I know
you have been waiting
but here we are
inside this night,
alive with coming storms
Debbie Strange
This cherita is from volume one of two let it rain
edition five of the cherita october 2017
Poet’s response :
Thank you so much for your kind wishes and for featuring my cherita. You’ve lifted my spirits!
Thinking of you, and wishing you well.
polar bear hugs,
Debbie Strange
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17 April 2020
TWO COMMENTS IN ABOUT OUR FEATURE :
I woke at 3 am here and went to catch up with your beautiful project. I shared this with the local poets in this email, and also on cherita poets on site on fb. I think it will draw their attention.
Your choices are very amazing! They speak to us now in our unusual present situation… your own cherita here is VERY moving!
you look away ..about the caged birds!
Thank you for lighting up my night, ALL of our nights!
I think this time is very wearing on everyone and what you are doing is an inspiration and comfort in a real and deep way.
I am sharing the news as to what you are doing on the website. It is SO beautiful! Thank you –I just saw the new cherita by Debbie Strange.
Kathabela Wilson : USA
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. . . I have to say I have been enjoying the cherita lockdown poems you have been placing up on the web site.
Robert Horrobin : Scotland
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17 April 2020
We will resume with the eighth lockdown cherita from the cherita on Saturday.
Meanwhile, here is one of mine from my first cherita book i left long ago 2017,
brushed by the lockdown too – for Friday :
at night
far off
in the distance
you call my name
and i hear it
on my windchime
ai li
This cherita is from i left long ago by ai li
http://www.thecherita.com/ailis-bookshop/
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18 April 2020
LOCKDOWN CHERITA
Here is our cherita for Saturday :
stepping into
the deep end
of our longing
I reach for you
to touch
only air
Peter Jastermsky
This cherita is from volume two of two when i can’t sleep
edition five of the cherita october 2017
Poet’s response :
Thanks so much for including my cherita in your lockdown cherita feature! I have been enjoying the work you’ve shared so far, and look forward to that good energy each day.
Take care and be well!
Peter Jastermsky
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19 April 2020
LOCKDOWN CHERITA
Here is our cherita for Sunday :
winter stars
spring stars summer stars
& autumn stars
where
are
you?
pamela a. babusci
This cherita is from a visit across decades
edition seven of the cherita january 2018
Poet’s response :
this is a lovely surprise on a Sunday morning!
many thx for including my cherita!
stay safe healthy & sane
pamela a babusci
20 April 2020
LOCKDOWN CHERITA
Here is our cherita for Monday :
for a glimpse
of him returning
I wait
a shadow
in
the open door
Maryalicia Post
This cherita is from winter, no fixed abode
edition eight of the cherita february 2018
Poet’s response :
Thank you ai li..I’m so happy to be part of this initiative..Warmest greetings to you and to the cherita community..
Maryalicia Post
21 April 2020
LOCKDOWN CHERITA
Here is our cherita for Tuesday :
from open hands
the petals and leaves
on which I wrote your name
fall, one by one
behind me . . .
this is the way home
Debbie Strange
This cherita is from autumn deepens
edition nine of the cherita march 2018
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22 April 2020
LOCKDOWN CHERITA
Here is our cherita for Wednesday :
the leaves learn it
and soon
he will too
the different ways
we’re told
goodbye
Peter Jastermsky
This cherita is from now I listen
edition ten of the cherita april 2018
Poet’s response :
Thanks for featuring another cherita of mine in the lockdown series! I especially resonate with this one, even more so in the present state of our world. Glad you like the cherita Kathabela selected! Out all that is happening, a lot of poetry is flowing.
Be well,
Peter Jastermsky
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23 April 2020
A NEW COMMENT IN ABOUT OUR FEATURE :
I like the way you pick a few choice cherita
hopefully this time will allow for more reflection . . .
Ronald Lim : Hong Kong
23 April 2020
LOCKDOWN CHERITA
Here is our cherita for Thursday :
errant fly
in and out
of the lampshade
round and round
the warm lit bulb
the soliloquy
Madhuri Pillai
This cherita is from on a quiet street
edition eleven of the cherita may 2018
Poet’s response :
Thanks a million. I will post it on my twitter, account FB and WordPress.
Thank you again ai li,
Love,
Madhuri Pillai
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24 April 2020
ANOTHER NEW COMMENT IN ABOUT OUR FEATURE :
. . . just wanted you to know that you have yet another committed reader out here…I check the website daily and look forward to the lockdown cherita. Thank you for providing this source of inspiration.
All the best,
Cynthia Anderson : USA
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24 April 2020
LOCKDOWN CHERITA
Here is our cherita for Friday :
the shut-in
still puts on makeup
every day
just in case
the postman
rings her doorbell
Johnny Baranski
This cherita is from not a memory, exactly,
edition twelve of the cherita june 2018
Editor’s note :
Johnny Baranski
1948
to
2018
who is
much missed
copyright © the cherita 2020
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25 April 2020
A NEW COMMENT IN ABOUT OUR FEATURE :
Many thanks for all you do, love the lockdown series !
Be well and safe!
Erika Wilk : USA
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25 April 2020
We will resume with the fourteenth lockdown cherita from the cherita on Sunday.
Meanwhile, here is one of mine from my fourth cherita book dream merchant 2019, brushed by the lockdown too – for Saturday
lifelines
of mine
to give
if i can only
save
your life
ai li
This cherita is from dream merchant by ai li
http://www.thecherita.com/ailis-bookshop/
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26 April 2020
LOCKDOWN CHERITA
Here is our cherita for Sunday :
between us
the space in bed
is a variable thing:
yesterday
no distance at all
today the width of a canyon
Geoffrey Winch
This cherita is from shadow dancer
edition thirteen of the cherita july 2018
Poet’s response :
Thank you for using one of my cherita, hope a wider audience enjoy it and others you have/will be posting.
Stay safe,
I send you my best wishes,
Geoffrey Winch
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27 April 2020
LOCKDOWN CHERITA
Here is our cherita for Monday :
bus stop
in the streetlamp’s glow
an empty stage
she watches
from her
bedroom window
Maryalicia Post
This cherita is from i find one cloud
edition fourteen of the cherita august 2018
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28 April Tuesday
LOCKDOWN CHERITA
Here is our cherita for Tuesday :
at the beach house
she paints
portrait after portrait
of the people
she sees
when nobody’s there
Paul Bryce
This cherita is from pieces of sky
edition fifteen of the cherita september 2018
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30 April Thursday
LOCKDOWN CHERITA
Here is our cherita for Thursday :
your glasses
still on the table
where you left them
how can I get rid of
anything
now that you’re gone
Susan Burch
This cherita is from the stories
edition seventeen of the cherita november 2018
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This cherita is from i find one cloud
edition fourteen of the cherita august 2018
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29 April Wednesday
LOCKDOWN CHERITA
Here is our cherita for Wednesday :
a lovely day
fields alive with grasshoppers
she says why you so sad
her yellow hair
escaping her bun as she runs
through milkweed and death
Andrew Riutta
This cherita is from taste of rain
edition sixteen of the cherita october 2018
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30 April Thursday
I am sorry to have to inform you that the Lockdown Cherita will resume in six days on Wednesday 6 May.
I’m about to launch the latest edition of the cherita #3:12 later today and the edition announcement will stay posted for 5 days.
5 May 2020
Our Lockdown Cherita Feature will resume tomorrow the 6 May 2020.
Meanwhile, here is one of mine from my third cherita book we cannot go back 2018, brushed by the lockdown too – for Tuesday
dreams
hanging by a thread
these days
i let the spider live
to spin me
more lace
ai li
This cherita is from we cannot go back by ai li
http://www.thecherita.com/ailis-bookshop/
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6 May 2020
Our Lockdown Cherita Feature resumes today.
LOCKDOWN CHERITA is back
Here is our cherita for Wednesday :
if waves cease lapping
or birds stop singing
or children
no longer run through the door
how loud the silence
will seem then
Maryalicia Post
This cherita is from snow ghosts
edition eighteen of the cherita december 2018
Poet’s response :
My goodness. That sounds apt, alright.
Maryalicia Post
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7 May 2020
LOCKDOWN CHERITA
Here is our cherita for Thursday :
who dies young
by illness
or risk
shuffling
the piles
of our playing cards
Peter Jastermsky
This cherita is from in my palm
edition nineteen of the cherita january 2019
Poet’s response :
Thanks so much for sharing another one of my cherita in the Lockdown series. Each piece you’ve posted nurtures our hearts and reminds us how our stories can be reflected in these 6 line miniatures.
In health and cherita!
Peter Jastermsky
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8 May 2020
LOCKDOWN CHERITA
Here is our Cherita for Friday VE Day :
so many miles
between us
I find one star
imagine its light
cradling you
in my absence
Joanna Ashwell
This cherita is from whisper me free
edition twenty of the cherita february 2019
Poet’s response :
Your cherita lockdown feature is lovely and I am thrilled that you have selected one of my cherita. The cherita journals always lift my spirits and I am honoured to be included in them.
Stay safe and keep on writing your lovely poems.
Joanna Ashwell
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9 May 2020
LOCKDOWN CHERITA
Here is our Cherita for Saturday :
an owl calls
on her side of the ocean
as on mine
less alone
listening to these songs
of loneliness
Autumn Noelle Hall
This cherita is from the sound of water
edition twenty one of the cherita march 2019
Poet’s response :
I don’t know how I managed to miss this! My sincere apologies for not writing to express my gratitude for including my owl poem in your Lockdown Cherita earlier.
Thank you so much for including me in your lockdown project.
Regards,
Autumn Noelle Hall
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10 May 2020
LOCKDOWN CHERITA
Here is our Cherita for Sunday :
everyone leaves the room
I sit by the body
for over an hour
with my mind empty
I come to terms
with my own mortality
Jimmy Pappas
This cherita is from leaves blown
edition twenty two of the cherita april 2019
Poet’s response :
Thanks so much for the heads up.
I miss real people rather than technology created faces.
Jimmy Pappas
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11 May 2020
LOCKDOWN CHERITA
Here is our Cherita for Monday :
life and lines
hang between
brownstones…
my room
with
a view
Pat Geyer
This cherita is from a warm night
edition twenty three of the cherita may 2019
Poet’s response :
Thank you my friend.
I think this cherita represents a lovely yet sad view of a life in the world right now. “life and lines”. We’re all living life behind a six foot lines.
I appreciate your posting it at this Lockdown time. Take care…be safe…God bless….
Pat Geyer
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12 May 2020
We will resume with the twenty fourth lockdown cherita from the cherita on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, here is one of mine from my third cherita book we cannot go back 2018, brushed by the lockdown too – for Tuesday.
who will be there
to welcome me home ?
the rice fields green
an egg yolk sun
time is rust
on an old key
ai li
This cherita is from we cannot go back by ai li
http://www.thecherita.com/ailis-bookshop/
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12 May 2020
A NEW COMMENT IN ABOUT OUR FEATURE :
More lovely poems on your lockdown feature, they are really nice to enjoy and reread from past issues of the cherita journal.
Stay safe and well.
Joanna Ashwell
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13 May 2020
Our Lockdown Cherita Feature resumes today.
LOCKDOWN CHERITA is back.
Here is our cherita for Wednesday :
in the light
of the coming
day
long,
long,
shadows
Robert Horrobin
This cherita is from morning light
edition twenty four of the cherita june 2019
Poet’s response :
Thank you so much for selecting one of my pieces, I have very much enjoyed reading the work you have show cased before and I’m really pleased to have joined them.
Robert Horrobin
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14 May 2020
LOCKDOWN CHERITA
Here is our cherita for Thursday :
old bedframes
derelict hospital
did everyone
go home
after
the epidemic ?
ai li
This cherita is from you bring me
edition twenty five of the cherita july 2019
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15 May 2020
in the slant of the clean
November sunlight
walking
with my granddad along
the forest’s fringe, he says –
“I always chose life”.
Larry Kimmel
This cherita is from a dream of sleep
edition twenty six of the cherita august 2019
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16 May 2020
LOCKDOWN CHERITA
Here is our cherita for Saturday :
ghost moons—
on the third night
following his death
she still
hears him coughing
in the adjacent room
Réka Nyitrai
This cherita is from coming home late
edition twenty seven of the cherita september 2019
Poet’s response :
Oh! ai li, what a wonderful surprise!
You made my day.
It is a cherita written about my mother who after my father’s death still heard him coughing.
Réka Nyitrai
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17 may 2020
LOCKDOWN CHERITA
Here is our cherita for Sunday :
a television
on
somewhere in this house
tomorrow
i will take my place
once again in the bustle of life
Matsukaze
This cherita is from wondering where
edition twenty eight of the cherita october 2019
Poet’s response :
Good morning to you my dear Ai Li!!!
. . . my goodness it has been too long! I have missed your poetic essence!
I’m blessed that i’ve not caught any trace of covid-19. Striving to stay safe as can
be.
i was so thrilled to find you’d chosen my cherita. i can’t thank you enough for your timeless and healing wisdom, prayers, guidance etc. .
Matsukaze
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18 May 2020
We will resume with the twenty ninth lockdown cherita from the cherita on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, here is one of mine from my cherita, tanka and haiku book december loneliness 2018, brushed by the lockdown too – for Monday
whenever i sneeze
at home
i’m reminded
of the fact
that my emptiness
echoes
ai li
This cherita is from december loneliness by ai li
http://www.thecherita.com/ailis-bookshop/
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19 May 2020
LOCKDOWN CHERITA
Here is our cherita for Tuesday :
burning sage …
the sound of rain
and Miles Davis
dampens my air …
i feel that
things will be alright
Matsukaze
This cherita is from in the night
edition twenty nine of the cherita november 2019
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20 May 2020
LOCKDOWN CHERITA
Here is our cherita for Wednesday :
evening breeze
a quiver travels
the driveway’s fringe
of ferns
like a shiver of bad news
along a spine
Larry Kimmel
This cherita is from the storyteller
edition thirty of the cherita december 2019
Poet’s response :
Thanks for using my cherita on your Lockdown Cherita project. You have done a super job with the lockdown cherita. I don’t know of anyone else in our short form poetry niche that has conceived of posting good, relevant poetry as opposed the the dreadful remake of media headlines. Most of which don’t actually qualify as poetry.
Larry Kimmel
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21 May 2020
LOCKDOWN CHERITA
Here is our cherita for Thursday :
two lonely people
dining
late at night
two lit windows
in
two continents
ai li
This cherita is from rush of wings
edition thirty one of the cherita january 2020
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22 May 2020
LOCKDOWN CHERITA
Here is our cherita for Friday :
while I was ill
blossoms
came out
fields
were
plowed
Larry Kimmel
This cherita is from a home for the wind
edition thirty two of the cherita february 2020
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22 May 2020
A NEW COMMENT IN :
Thank you for sharing this uniquely exquisite form of poetic beauty with the world.
Connor Orrico
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23 May 2020
LOCKDOWN CHERITA
Here is our cherita for Saturday :
cruel darkness
when will you end?
the shadows
inner and outer
scratching, howling
beneath my skin
Joanna Ashwell
This cherita is from dream journal
edition thirty three of the cherita march 2020
Poet’s response :
Thank you, Ai Li.
The poems are lovely on the site and it is lovely to have one of my cherita picked.
Joanna Ashwell
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24 May 2020
LOCKDOWN CHERITA
Here is our cherita for Sunday :
I tuck myself
into evening
as my shadow
peels away
and dances
upon the wall
Joanna Ashwell
This cherita is from the night
edition thirty four of the cherita april 2020
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25 May 2020
LOCKDOWN CHERITA
Here is our cherita for Bank Holiday Monday :
ignoring
the world’s edge
by my side
sipping
aquamarine
deep in your eyes
Isabella Kramer
This cherita is from and still
edition thirty five of the cherita may 2020
Poet’s response :
I’m thrilled that you chose my cherita for your Lockdown Cherita website today. Wonderful news at the end of a very busy Monday.
Thousand thanks Dear!!!
Isabella Kramer
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26 May 2020
LOCKDOWN CHERITA
Here is our cherita for Tuesday :
point of no return
at the deep end of the pool
with the rain falling
filling the space
and I cannot swim,
still hope floats
Luis Cuauhtemoc Berriozabal
This cherita is from it’s a secret place
edition thirty six of the cherita may 2020
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26 May 2020
I have now selected one from each of the existing editions of the cherita, and we are now bang up to date.
However we seem short of 5 cherita as we are not yet at the end of the month when the new edition of the cherita emerges.
To take us to the end of the month, I have decided to post 5 extra cherita [ 3 from the cherita and two from my own books] starting from tomorrow until the 31 May.
It has been a privilege for me to have been able to select, and be able to experience these potent cherita all over again like new.
My grateful thanks again to all the poets showcased.
I will be also be migrating all these Lockdown Cherita into their new archival home where, for those of you who missed reading them live will be able to read all 40 cherita plus my own 6 in their entirety, starting with the very first one which aired on 10 April 2020.
Please stay safe and well, and do keep storytelling us out of this lockdown where you may be.
ai li
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27 May 2020
LOCKDOWN CHERITA
Here is our cherita for Wednesday :
the old chapel
naked and alone
on a wind-thrashed moor
screams
its silent questions
at the sky
Paul Bryce
This cherita is from shadow dancer
edition thirteen of the cherita july 2018
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28 May 2020
LOCKDOWN CHERITA
Here is our cherita for Thursday :
sleep deprived
i’m up with dew
chanting
in your old
prayer shawl
dharamshala calling
ai li
This cherita is from dream merchant 2019 by ai li
http://www.thecherita.com/ailis-bookshop/
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29 May 2020
LOCKDOWN CHERITA
Here is our cherita for Friday :
blankets pulled back
shades drawn
why else be awake?
soon enough
the mourning dove
brings us its song
Peter Jastermsky
This cherita is from shadow dancer
edition thirteen of the cherita july 2018
Poet’s response :
Thanks so much for the lockdown cherita feature. The emotional transparency of these pieces was a healing path through these challenging times.
Peter Jastermsky
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30 May 2020
LOCKDOWN CHERITA
Here is our cherita for Saturday :
autumn gathers
in the gutters
a confetti
of crushed umber
now more than ever
the hug of spirit
Larry Kimmel
This cherita is from the night
edition twenty nine of the cherita july 2018
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31 May 2020
THE LAST LOCKDOWN CHERITA
Here is our cherita for Sunday :
the night
getting
into bed
with me
it must be
lonely too
ai li
This cherita is from we cannot go back 2017 by ai li
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31 May 2020
I would like to reiterate my heartfelt thanks to all the poets whose cherita have been showcased in this special Lockdown Cherita feature.
You will find the Lockdown Feature Archive in our title bar.
Please continue to take good care of yourselves and be safe and well.
ai li
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copyright © the cherita 2023