Collection of Ancient Tanka
Collection of Ancient Tanka
A
Lay my head on shale
to gather thoughts on darkness
high up on the peak
only drink dew from the pine
presence in song of songbird.
Someone looks for me
I can feel a lone presence
through the shaded pine
around thick manzanita
hidden in this chilly air.
While waiting alone
someone who will not arrive
notice the evening
dusk similar to horizon
ponder a wider existence.
Flowers of pleasant
thought quickly leave my pained mind
I want to pick greens
for salad to make and share
but the snow fell on my art.
Early morning camp
the deer gather around tent
push our way through flanks
to brew morning hot coffee
heat my hands around first cup.
You will never come
meet me in Autumn evening
similarity
grey of moment before night
this will always cause deep hurt.
B
Color leaves with age
or death whichever comes first
whether color leaves
petal of dying flowers
or our flesh in our own worlds.
Once again alone
shadow of clouds on valley
moving very slow
over ragged foliage
not one breathing creature stirs.
Try not to smile much
like mountainside of flowers
to give away love
quieter to hold a frown
straight line in black and white room.
Slowly we wither
each flower like human being
slow dessication
to wilt and fall from stalk
as spring creates another.
Someone passes by
I wonder who would believe
at this time of night
clear of clouds stars brighten sky
a lone moon falls beyond pale.
C
Involuntary
every step on this path
but we have the sun
the moon and every star
or at least these memories.
Singing Cicada
sings alone in the sagebrush
move feet in blanket
alone in winter season
surrounded by silent snow.
After bomb cyclone
tore limbs from various trees
sit in murky pond
create a geometry
symmetry a balanced art.
During anxious night
to pace while waiting for rise
light begins morning
with as much pounding anger
as the moonlight was before.
For more works like The Art of Dodoitsu and other works by this author visit
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Nicely penned tanka verses, Jamie. I enjoyed reading them. Well done my friend.
Great tanka verses Jamie. I love how you paint the picture so well in your words. I need to work on that in my own poetry. Maybe I’ll take a few lessons. Good work
Thank you Phyllis and Paul. I think all of us have created a classroom for ourselves were are learning incredible lessons as we share. Great writing with all of you. Jamie