Tag Archives: #tanka

Fall’s Fire Inspires #tanka

52 Replies

Grace glides through water
Fall’s fire flames in trees and pond
Autumn’s tone inspires
Death blooms beautiful in leaves
Colors create thrill in heart

***

This was written for Colleen’s weekly poetry challenge. It was a double challenge – first was a photo challenge using a photo which I took several years ago in Milford, MA. (Yes, Colleen used my photo this week :) ) The second was a synonyms only challenge using the words Move and Make. I combined both challenges and wrote a tanka today.

Photo below was from this Saturday and was taken in Wilton, NH.

A month early or a year late? #tanka

22 Replies

Soft noise behind me
The floorboards creak with her weight
My love has woken
Though dead for a thousand years
Scent of fresh blood revives her

***

lol, yes, I am a month early for Halloween, but I saw an older version of the picture and knew I had to use it! I did edit it a little more, but…

This was written for Colleen’s Weekly Poetry Challenge. This week was to use a specific form, which was tanka. I do write quite a few tankas.

The Night Sky #tanka

23 Replies
Milky Way above Dennisport

When fears come alive
The immense unknown spreads forth
Wonder fills the mind
From ancient times until now
Distant stars fill us with awe

***

This was written for Colleen’s Weekly Poetry Challenge. This week we were given a theme, The Night Sky. I chose to do a tanka using the theme, and also titled my poem with the theme :)

When All Else is Grey #tanka

46 Replies

A bright shirt for me
With a whiff of eccentric
Fearlessly forward
I may often try to blend
But there is no use hiding

***

This was written for Colleen’s Weekly Poetry Challenge. This week was a synonyms only week using the key words hint and bold. I chose a tanka. And, no, I am not “coming out” or anything like that, I’m just talking about some of my eccentricities. Yes, I wear a hat when I am outside. I have a hat collection. And occasionally i wear strange clothes, including, on a rare occasion, that red and black jacket.

Beacon in a Time of Darkness #tanka

15 Replies

Across dark chasms
Oh that little candle shines
Tiny flame is seen
A weary world of darkness
A good deed, a beacon

***

Written for Colleen’s weekly poetry challenge.  This week was a theme week, for which I wrote a tanka.  The theme was:

“How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world.”

― William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice

Funny – I discovered that “Chasm” is one of those weird words that has one vowel but two syllables.   As with my last tanka, I tried to make it so it could be read backwards.

Oh, the drawing at the top is the only thing I had with candles and it was for someone’s post on the 11th day of Christmas, so…

Charmed #tanka

24 Replies

The image is from Pixabay, by Michael Seibt

An imp plays a tune
From the land of Nevermore
On a weedy pipe
Green magic from the music
Charms snake and human alike

***

Written for Colleen’s Poetry Challenge.  This week the challenge is to write to syllabic poem based on the given photo-prompt (at the top of the post).  I did a tanka (sort of ;) )

The image is from Pixabay, by Michael Seibt

Anxiety #tanka

14 Replies

Waves break on the shore
Explosions without the fire
Stirring blue to brown
Restless ‘neath troubled water
Sandy bed is washed away

**

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  the key words were the poet’s (me ;) ) choice, so I chose “Beach” and “Anxious” This week I decided to do a Tanka

Blueprint for Purchase Foiled #Tanka

3 Replies

I can organize
Use all my money on you
Plot all that I want
I find the Beatles were right
No design can buy your love

***

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  the key words were the poet’s (me ;) ) choice, so I chose “Plan” and “Spend” This week I decided to do a Tanka.

Back to the Source – #tanka #haibun

23 Replies

I sit, pen in hand, and stare into the distance. The spring has gone dry and the words have failed to flow. But then an image comes to me. Your image.  There was a time when poems sprang to the page motivated by your eyes and your smile. Can I once more dip in that well, go back to the root and create something new? I lift my pen to the paper and note down a few dragging words.

I pen you a verse
Like one at the beginning
When it was still fresh
Inspired by a thought of you
Source of many silly scrawls

**

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  the key words were “Origin” and “Write” This week I decided to do a  haibun using a tanka as the poem part.

I have missed the last two challenges.  For some reason I just wasn’t inspired and nothing came to mind.

Dawn of a New Year #tanka #haibun

19 Replies

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.)