You are currently viewing #TankaTuesday Weekly #Poetry Challenge No. 329, 7/18/23–Specific Form: Imayo
Photo by Thirdman on Pexels.com

#TankaTuesday Weekly #Poetry Challenge No. 329, 7/18/23–Specific Form: Imayo

Written for Tanka Tuesday. Colleen’s Prompt:

Your subject of the poem must be a BIRD

This week’s challenge is to write an Imayo poem. Your subject must be about
a 🦃bird! 🐦‍⬛ It can be any type of bird. 🦉

This is a Japanese form that I learned about on the dVerse challenge last week.
Many thanks to Laura for the instructions and the introduction to the form. I’ve
added this new form to the challenge cheatsheet.

The Imayo

The imayo is comprised of four 12-syllable lines. Each line is divided into a 7-syllable
and a 5-syllable section, with a hard pause (or caesura) in between. The pause will
generally be represented by a comma, semi-colon, or similar punctuation.

  • 4 lines (8 lines permissible)
  • 12 syllables per line divided as 7-5
  • make a pause space between the 7 and 5 syllables
  • use comma, caesura or kireji (cutting word) as the pause
  • no rhymes
  • no meter
  • no end of line pauses – the whole should flow together as though one long
    sentence
  • The Imayo is a literal poem so do not use symbolism, allegory etc.

Here’s my poem from last week to use as an example:

Colleen’s example poem

Image of three birds in a nest for the #TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge: Specific Form
  • A literal poem with no symbolism, I wonder if this one, my very first attempt
    at an Imayo, qualifies. We will see.
  • Also, there’s a bird in the featured image, only we cannot see it. *wink*
From treetop she calls to me, but shares not her face
for the message she transports, needs wind to fly on
and so I ready my heart, and set out two cups
our anniversary drinks, will taste of birdsong

© Selma

I hope you liked my first Imayo.
Thanks for reading.

Selma Martin
Follow me
Latest posts by Selma Martin (see all)

This Post Has 43 Comments

  1. Rall

    I enjoyed this poem. Thanks for the visit.

    1. Selma Martin

      Glad you enjoyed, Rall.

      Visiting: my pleasure. 👏🏽

  2. Destiny

    wonderful and so sweet, Selma🤍✨

  3. D. Wallace Peach

    That was lovely, Selma. It flowed beautifully and did the trick. You make this challenging form look easy. <3

    1. rajkkhoja

      Nice picture. Love of Imayo. From treetop she calls to me,
      From treetop she calls to me,
      Nice words.

      1. CHUONTHIS

        Beautiful, Selma! I love the “taste of birdsong” ❤️

        1. Selma Martin

          You and me both, then. hehe. We know what we talking ’bout. xoxo. Blessings.

      2. Selma Martin

        Thank you, Raj. I’m so happy you enjoyed it. xoxo

      3. D. Wallace Peach

        Thanks so much for taking a peek at the poem. It’s a new on for me and I loved giving it a try. Happy Weekend.

        1. Selma Martin

          You are sweet for saying that, D. Thanks. It was a challenging prompt. Glad I tried.

        2. Selma Martin

          WP is at it again. Commenting takes a funny turn.
          Thanks for visiting, D. And commenting. Blessings.

            1. Selma Martin

              I know that feeling.
              When you comment I want to respond and want to make sure you receive my reply. So when it falls anywhere other than under your comment you don’t receive it.
              That’s what was happening here.

              But you got my message 😅 and I’m glad. Thanks for your sweet comment. Blessings.

      4. Selma Martin

        😜 from treetop she calls. 🎶
        Thanks, Raj 🐦

        1. rajkkhoja

          You are most welcome!🦆

      5. Selma Martin

        Thanks for the support dearest Raj. Glad you enjoyed it from treetop xoxo

    2. Selma Martin

      You are sweet for saying that, D. Thanks. It was a challenging prompt. Glad I tried.

  4. Roberta Eaton Cheadle

    Great job, Selma. I love your lateral thinking.

  5. Balroop Singh

    Your Imayo is superb! I think that is a cuckoo bird Selma. It can only be heard, not seen!

    1. Selma Martin

      A cuckoo bird?! Yes, of course 👏🏽
      Thanks for pointing that out, Balroop. You’re the sweetest.
      No more wondering 💗

      Blessings. XoXo 🤗

  6. poetisatinta

    A lovely Imayo Selma, capturing the moment beautifully ❤️

    1. Selma Martin

      Thanks so much, Angela. I appreciate the encouragement. Blessings.

    1. Selma Martin

      You can? Heather, that is so cool of you to say that. Thanks so sweetly. xoxo

    1. Selma Martin

      You’re so sweet, Bridgette. Thanks so much. xoxo

    1. Selma Martin

      A joy you brought me, thanks, dearie. Blessing you. xoxo

  7. Luanne

    What a sweet poem. You really conjured up the scene for me! XO

    1. Selma Martin

      😜 thanks, Luanne. Glad you hopped on and let your mind take over. 😘

  8. Colleen M. Chesebro

    This is beautiful, Selma. I’ll do more research on this form. It’s an interesting form.

  9. Sassy

    I love this! I often sit hammocking wondering who is singing to me.

Thanks for stopping. Comments mean the world to me. Won't you please leave one?