Dawn of a New Year #tanka #haibun

Dawn of a New Year

I am walking alone down a dark path. The pale December sun fails to illuminate, casting a cold, golden sheen over the land. I pause and look out over the world. Stark shadows, crisp lines prove that summer is a distant memory. As are you. They say the new year brings new light and new hope. I smile, knowing that although colder days are ahead, the light will increase and warmth will return.

Shadows in pale light
Darkness of the dying year
You, my sun, are gone
A new year brings much more light
Perhaps it brings you as well

Written for Colleen’s Poetry challenge. Each week she gives us two keywords, only we must use synonyms only, not the words themselves. This week was a “free week” where we could choose our own words. My two words were “illumination” and “return”. This week I went with a tanka and a haibun.

Happy New Year! (The photo was taken on Saturday in Harwich, MA.)

19 thoughts on “Dawn of a New Year #tanka #haibun”

Vashti Q January 5, 2019 at 7:54 pm

Beautiful Haibun/Tanka, Trent! My family and I have a tradition of watching the first sunrise of the new year at the beach together. It’s always a beautiful experience. Your Tanka has such lovely imagery and a hint of romance. Well done, my friend. <3 xo

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trentpmcd Post authorJanuary 6, 2019 at 8:43 am

That is a great tradition. The last several years I have spent New Year’s Eve on Cape Cod, so it would be possible for me – literally dawning of the new year. Thanks! I hope your 2019 is off to a good start!

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1. Vashti Q January 7, 2019 at 4:18 pm
  
  It is and so is yours! I just saw that Colleen selected you “Poet of the Week”! That’s awesome. Congratulations! You deserve it. :D
  
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  1. trentpmcd Post authorJanuary 7, 2019 at 4:31 pm
    
    Thanks, Vashti! I feel honored, particularly since it is the beginning of a new year and her new format.
    
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Colleen Chesebro January 1, 2019 at 3:48 pm

Trent, this is one of your best Haibun Tanka’s yet. I love the way you lead with the season and then, sneak in the part about where you are missing “her” as well. A great comparison that makes your poem fit in the romance category! <3

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trentpmcd Post authorJanuary 1, 2019 at 3:53 pm

Thanks, Colleen. Yes, I sometimes like to try to “oblique” love poem, starting one direction and moving the romance in :)

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1. Colleen Chesebro January 1, 2019 at 4:08 pm
  
  That was a great surprise and really gave your poem the perfect arc.
  
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Marje @ Kyrosmagica January 1, 2019 at 3:06 pm

A very lovely poem for the New Year. Happy New Year Trent. :)

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trentpmcd Post authorJanuary 1, 2019 at 3:52 pm

Thanks, Marje! Happy new year.

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fakeflamenco January 1, 2019 at 2:46 pm

I like it very much. Happy New Year! -Rebecca

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trentpmcd Post authorJanuary 1, 2019 at 3:52 pm

Thanks!

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D. Wallace Peach January 1, 2019 at 2:41 pm

A lovely reflection on the changing of the year, Trent. I’m always heartened by the idea that as winter starts, so does the promise of longer days. Lovely poem.

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trentpmcd Post authorJanuary 1, 2019 at 3:52 pm

Thanks, Diana. As I go through winter I often keep myself going by thinking things like, “Early February, why, there’s about as much light now as early November. In a few more days there will be as much light as at Halloween! It’s not that bad!” Yes, the things I do to get through a New Hampshire winter ;)

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