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awareness, beauty, contemplation, creativity, gifts, imagination, inspiration, poem, poetry, Tanka, writing
To continue the apparently ongoing ‘self education’ theme of my year so far, I’ve decided it’s high time to expand my knowledge of different poetic forms. Soooooo…introducing:
The Tanka
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanka
A very old Japanese poetic form, which I’ve read referred to as the Grandmother of the better known Haiku. 31 syllables in total, it was apparently originally written in a single line but is more commonly now known in its five line 5 7 5 7 7 syllables structure.
I’m a ‘learning by doing’ kinda gal, so here’s my first attempt:
We spoke on the phone
Me walking through song filled woods
You in your own home
Hundreds of miles between us
Disappeared in hearts joining
And here’s a second:
I touched the rain drop
Hanging in prickly heather
Impermanent gem
Dissolves on my finger tip
And trickles down my life line
Hmmm…this could get addictive, but tea break is over! Fancy having a go yourselves? Do have a play in the comments below…
Fun! And beautifully done! I’ll have to try this on my next coffee break
Why thank you! And if you do have coffee inspired inspiration please do share:-)
Well done and I need to try this as well – it looks like fun
It sure is:-)
Hmm! I had not before heard of the tanka, but it does seem like a fun alternative to the more ubiquitous haiku. You could do a lot with those extra couple lines.
I love this comment…because I’m aware you enjoy form, so I’m thrilled to know I introduced you to one you weren’t aware of! Yes, those extra two lines are a tempting bonus…I’d need more practice to make the most of them. Do share if you write some of your own…
Indeed, and I thank you for it! (>^-’)>
And I’ll have to do so!
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