Tanka, a 1300-year-old, five-line lyrical poem from Japan, was originally called ‘waka’, which translates as “short song.”
Tanka uses very simple words but the meaning is intense . . . most often lending itself to various interpretations.
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90% of the tanka have two verses/images running parallel – the upper verse and the lower verse – coming together to form a whole.
Here are a few examples of tanka. Just enjoy the ride!
did he appear
because I fell asleep
thinking of him?
If only I’d known I was dreaming,
I’d never have wakened
— Ono no Komachi
Translated by Jane Hirshfield with Mariko Aratani
(Never quote a tanka without mentioning the poet.)
The other four tanka are written by me and they are taken from the book - The Forest I Know.
The Forest I Know consists mainly of tanka, tanka prose and tanka doha. With stunningly bold and beautiful poems encompassing every facet of our day-to-day living, this enduring book, at once ancient and modern, will definitely touch a resonating chord in you.
I gather
one moon after
another
into my hands …
the river keeps giving
— Kala Ramesh
I look at the blue sea
and the blue sky
in wonder
and gently
they turn into night
— Kala Ramesh
a visit
to our childhood home
I feel stripped
when those old trees
see me without my dreams
— Kala Ramesh
wishing
I were looped
to a string …
one red kite fluttering
across the twilight sky
— Kala Ramesh
Here's something for you - a tanka contest
If you enjoyed these verses, perhaps you can try to write one! How about a contest then?
Send in your entries to sona@theblogchatter.com till Aug 31.
I will choose one winner and send him/her a signed copy of my book 'The Forest I Know'. The winner will be announced in an FB live session with me on Sep 3.
Happy reading and exploring tanka!
