tim's poetry workbook - 1. Tanka

Zero to Hero Poetry Prompts

Tanka

The prompt was to write five Tanka poems about the current season, which in this case is winter. I'm not a huge lover of winter. I love to read Tanka, but for me it is a struggle to write. I have used the supportive group in the Live Poet's Society forum for the first two (so they are 'right' as far as Tanka goes) ... the last three i have bravely struck out on my own, with AC's Guide. Let's see how we do.

Oh, winter so cold
I have always hated you
because I am forced
to wear heavy boots with soles
as thick as my resentment

I open my hands
delighting as snowflakes fall;
they melt on my palm
reminding me, perfection
is ever, only fleeting

Gray, felted skies mock,
making us feel dour and sad,
yet I feel hope, when
fresh snow dapples the pines, on
which red cardinals alight

Squalls blow in and out
showering us with snowflakes
while we run to play,
laughing and making snowmen;
leaving angels in our wake

Christmas carols play,
the tree is all a-twinkle
as we sip eggnog;
and near me children giggle
as we wait for Santa’s sleigh.

Updated 5th poem.... Why? see the above poem. @MacGreg Sir pointed out this repeated phrase, which does spoil the flow of the original poem.

Christmas carols play,
the tree is all a-twinkle
as we sip eggnog;
and near me children giggle
while we wait for Santa’s sleigh.

So.. after looking at my 5th poem... i spoke to AC about it as well. It is not a Tanka. So I will leave it there but work on fixing it and post a proper example in the next day or so.

**Update 1/20/2019

Wow, i really struggled with this one. Tanka do not flow from me easily. In fact, it is downright hard, but here is the last of them:

Christmas carols play,
the tree is all a-twinkle
as we sip eggnog;
you are the brightest of them;
I watch as you put out gifts

***