Poetry, Tetractys, Theme Prompt, Writing Challenge, Writing Prompts

One More Rep: A Tetractys

Nancy's Notes 🖊️♬

Written for Tanka Tuesday where our host,
Yvette, asks us to write a poem about a
dream that came true or one that fell apart.

Image by Me & Perplexity

“Just
one more.”
Famous last
words of gym chicks
and grannies alike, right before the pop.

Pop goes something …. quad? tendon? pride? who knows ….
grab an ice pack,
call it a
bloody
day.

Aches.
Old bones.
creak and moan,
but in my dreams
I flex a bicep firm as twenty-one.

Then the alarm clock cackles, dream dissolves,
hips crunch awake,
knees revolt.
Neck cracks.
Groan.

NAR©2026

Nancy’s Notes: A tetractys is a 5-line 20-syllable poem with a climbing 1-2-3-4-10 syllable pattern. For fun, I’ve also included an inverted tetractys (10-4-3-2-1).

This is “Touch of Grey” by Grateful Dead

#TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge No. 74, Oh, to Dream! 7/21/26

Everything on The Elephant’s Trunk was created by me, unless otherwise indicated. Thanks for your consideration. NAR©2017-present.

32 thoughts on “One More Rep: A Tetractys”

  2. “Everything is Weightier”

    I’m 75 plus two days;
    it’s not getting any easier
    old hips need X-rays
    my quill feels heavier
    words are vanishing edgeways
    and the blotting paper is messier

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  3. Relatable indeed. Thanks. Mr. Bedridden/ 4-wheeled walker/ 2-wheeled walker/ Cane/ Occasional Cane can easily recognize/sympathize. I’d jump up and give you a hug, but OUCH!!!

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    1. Saw the surgeon yesterday for a follow up. He’s very pleased with my progress. Five more PT sessions and 1 more follow up with him in 6 weeks and I’ll be a free woman! Thank God! What a freakin’ odyssey! Thanks so much for asking, Lois. ☺️

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