crammed in the smoke room
lips swollen with bitterness
the men, crass and cold
alone with chrysanthemums
I dance– enjoyed the party
© 2022 selmamartin.com
Thank you, Merril, at dVerse’s Poetics: The Landscape Sleeps, Ekphrastic Prompt
for Tuesday, November 29th. I loved all the choices but settled on the last one.
Thanks for having me. Today is already December 01st as I write this, and want to
wish everyone at dVerse a stress-free holiday season.
This tanka was inspired by two haiku:
for those who proclaim
~ Matsuo Basho
they’ve grown weary of children
there are no flowers
1644–1694
Fairies and sprites dance
~ Anonymous
children enjoy the party
grown men bewildered
TANKA IN ENGLISH:
5/7/5/7/7 syllable structure.
Your Tanka will consist of 5 lines written in the first-person point of view from
the perspective of the poet.
When writing a Tanka, the third line is considered your “pivot,” but feel free to let it
happen anywhere or exclude it. It is not mandatory. If you do use a pivot, the meaning
should apply to the first two lines, as well as the last two lines of your Tanka.
Remember, Great Tanka can be read both forward and backward.
Your tanka should be filled with poetic passion, including vivid imagery to make up
both parts of the poem. The first three lines of the poem consist of one part and
should convey a specific theme. The third line of your poem is the often where the
pivot occurs, although it can happen anywhere. The pivot gives direction to your
poem, whose meaning should be applied to the first two lines of your poem, as
well as the last two lines so that your tanka can be read forward and backward.
The last two lines of your tanka are where the metaphor (where the poet compares
two concepts without the words: like or as), simile (where the poet compares two
concepts with words: like or as), or where a comparison occurs to complement the
first three lines of your poetry. Use words you are comfortable with from everyday
speech. Avoid ending your lines with articles and prepositions.
Make use of your five senses. Don’t describe your theme. Instead, use adjectives, or
exclamations of sound, taste, and smell, along with hearing and sight to make your
tanka powerful.
Tanka are untitled and should be written in natural language using sentence
fragments and phrases, not sentences.
While many poets will adhere to the 5/7/5/7/7 structure, there is no rule that says
this is written in stone. Remember, tanka poetry is looser in structure than Haiku.
Let your creativity guide you. Follow the short/long/short/long/long rhythmic count
instead of counting the syllables in the traditional fashion.
Tanka poetry does not require punctuation. You don’t have to use capitals at the
beginning of each line, nor do you need to add a period at the end.
~ © Colleen M. Chesebro Crafting Magic through Prose & Poetry
Thanks for reading.
Happy first day in December. I wish you miracles.
- Day 26: NaPoWriMo 2024 Alliteration, Consonance, Assonance - April 26, 2024
- Reblog: “Snap-beans in a Wooden Bowl”(c) 2024 by Michael L. Utley - April 26, 2024
- Day 25: NaPoWriMo 2024–The “Proust Questionnaire” - April 25, 2024
Wonderful, Selma 💕🙂
Harmony, you are sweet. Thanks for saying that. I’m encouraged when it comes from you. Thanks again. Merry Christmas. xoxo
Lovely.
sweet compliment. Thanks so much. xoxo
Love your flow Selma! What an interesting perspective on constructing a tanka! I included one in my book under ArchiPoetry. I used the syllabic pattern, but I love the way you marched to the beat of your own drum! Awesome! 🥰👏🏼🤩 Whooohooooo!!!
same same, lovely sister. I see you marching to a beat a like. You are amazing. Keep going. I bless you and wish you a splendid, fantabulously bright Christmas. Blessings. xoxo
Awwww Selma, you know how to rock girlfriend. Continue to dance. 🎵💃🏽🎶 Thanks so much for your friendship. I love how you channel our FANtabulousness!!! LOL Hugs, smooches, and Merry Christmas sistah!!! 🤗🎄😘
Sometimes solitude is the best response…(K)
Oh yes, I know I thrive best in solitude. Thanks for reading and commenting, dear, K. I bless you. Happy Winter Solstice and Merry Christmas to you and dear family. xoxo
Beautiful you sharing poem. Happy Frist day December!
Thank you, dear Raj. It’s almost Christmas now. Merry Christmas. I bless you, dear friend. xoxo
Most welcome my dear, happy to Christmas, Selma. There were snowfall now. I heard the tv news yesterday.
Sounds like hanging out with the flowers was the best idea! 🌺
dancing with flowers, prompts a dance. So yes, hanging out with flowers is lovely. hehe. methinks. Merry Christmas, dear Ingrid. xoxo
And a Happy New Year! 🌟
Dancing with flowers…what a pleasurable idea! ❤️
they’re alive, flowers are! and they make great company. wink. Merry Christmas Punam, dear. Blessings.
I’d stick with flowers too Selma.. nicely done💞
Cindy, at least it’s still December… here I am. Thanks sooooo much. I bless you. xoxo
Wow, Selma! Powerful! I like men, though certainly not those men, but I still enjoy time to myself!
I appreciate the advice on tanka writing.
I’ve been basking in tanka lately. I’m a mere enthusiast and do what I can. It’s a lovely form. Do give it a try. Colleen has a very welcoming place to practice. Hope to see you there sometime. Year end blessings, Cheryl. xoxo