Topic: Tanka Territory

[Mystic1]

Thank you, Witt...but I can't rightly call myself any more than novice. Perhaps, it's simply beginner's luck? Or maybe my muse is Japanese?

red tiles through grey clouds
reaching toward the divine
ring of golden bell -
contemplative Buddha's sigh
beneath pagoda rooftop

[Mystic1]

round moon at twilight
painted pink with dying sun
reflections of these
hushed goodbyes and windswept tears
our love's funerary pyre

[Soft Words]

infidel dusk,
between death of day
and birth of night,
mates with both sun and moon,
sometimes together,
other times in view of the other.


I suck at syllable counting. Fail. *facepalm*

[Mystic1]

Your syllable count is fine, Arti...it just takes a bit of practice is all. Be careful. If you palm yourself too hard, the only thing you'll be counting is stars. G.

[Mystic1]

drifting leaves...
high water mark
on Cyprus stumps.
Autumn's pink sun
shimmers on lake's
placid surface -
has it been so long ago,
I kissed your lips?

[Mystic1]

mind, I have a question -
while wrinkles crease
this weathered face,
should you not also wither? 
even young spring leaves,
sprout from ancient oaks.

[Halo]

coal black eyes transfixed
graceful feet, intricate steps
ruffled skirts, bare legs
face contorted; mesmerized
violin strings--allegro



someone, anyone,  please feel to correct my punctuation

[Voodoo Child]

I hope I got this right!


delicate flower
crimson lips and powdered face
she kneels at his feet
embroidered silk kimono
golden dragons on bamboo

[Halo]

 Voodoo Child - delightful!

[Mystic1]

As a rule, Tanka, like Haiku, don't usually have titles...foregoing that, it's a beautiful piece VC.


lone stag
disappearing
into leafless shadows
beyond grey stone wall;
eyes adjust to
frosted clarity,
December dawning.

[Voodoo Child]

Thank you so much for your kind words, Halo and Mystic!

I love creating poetry with a set structure.. love the challenge.
This is a lot of fun.. get to stretch my brain a little.

Peace..Voo

[Mystic1]

I decided, given the subject that it would be appropriate for this Tanka to remain, upside-down.

propagate your own darkness;
ignorance is bliss...
but refuse enlightenment
when  the sun rises -
and all will suffer.

[Mystic1]

crossing this bridge
burning in winter sunset -
I recall the acrid scent
of distant smoke;
that once, long ago,
my eyes watered.

[Voodoo Child]

beautiful plumage
colors of green, gold and blue
exotic peacock
thousand eyes on it's feathers
exquisite Indian Blue