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Category Archive: Tanka

From Poets.org:

The Japanese tanka is a thirty-one-syllable poem, traditionally written in a single unbroken line. A form of waka, Japanese song or verse, tanka translates as “short song,” and is better known in its five-line, 5/7/5/7/7 syllable count form.

One of the oldest Japanese forms, tanka originated in the seventh century, and quickly became the preferred verse form not only in the Japanese Imperial Court, where nobles competed in tanka contests, but for women and men engaged in courtship. Tanka’s economy and suitability for emotional expression made it ideal for intimate communication; lovers would often, after an evening spent together (often clandestinely), dash off a tanka to give to the other the next morning as a gift of gratitude.

In many ways, the tanka resembles the sonnet, certainly in terms of treatment of subject. Like the sonnet, the tanka employs a turn, known as a pivotal image, which marks the transition from the examination of an image to the examination of the personal response. This turn is located within the third line, connecting the kami-no-ku, or upper poem, with the shimo-no-ku, or lower poem.

Flight – a Tanka

Floating free in fog Enthralled by eternity Unfocused; unbound Enlightened and unattached Fluttering, falling; failing 9/11-9/12/19 My response […]

September 12, 2019 Formal Poetry, Poetry, Tanka

Planting Seeds – A Tanka

Consciousness causes Curiosity to stir Observing begins Accumulating knowledge Seeds of wisdom are planted 6/21/19 This is my […]

June 21, 2019 Formal Poetry, Poetry, Tanka

The Process – a tanka

Compose, line by line, From beginning to end Until its finished: Every verse, every rhyme, and Every single […]

March 1, 2019 Formal Poetry, Poetry, Tanka

Dukkha – a tanka

Suffering exists And it can be overcome The message is clear See the source of suffering Follow the […]

February 16, 2019 Formal Poetry, Poetry, Tanka

The Unknown – a Tanka

Secrets and questions Never asked; never answered Alone in darkness Flickering flames on the wall Drawn out toward […]

January 20, 2019 Formal Poetry, Poetry, Tanka

My Own Words (Tanka)

Simple assignment: Write this in your own words, But no words are mine. They belong to everyone, I […]

November 6, 2018 Formal Poetry, Poetry, Tanka

Nothing to Fear (Tanka)

There is nothing to fear About entering the tomb, Nothing will happen That didn’t happen to you In […]

November 1, 2018 Formal Poetry, Poetry, Tanka

Hallowed Lands (Tanka)

The enchanted mounds, Possessed by the ancient sidhe, Once revered as gods Now forced under hollow hills Still […]

October 27, 2018 Formal Poetry, Poetry, Tanka

The Empty House (Tanka)

In an empty house Short stools; covered up mirrors Filled with a spirit, A shade that will never […]

October 25, 2018 Formal Poetry, Poetry, Tanka

Notions – tanka

Held oh so tightly The most peculiar notions ’til knuckles are white. Views must change to fit the […]

July 26, 2018 Formal Poetry, Poetry, Tanka

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