Ten Tanka Poems based on Teika's Ten Tenka Techniques |
For Poetic Explorations, the final selection I chose was #3 3. Elegant Beauty in misty morning, the solitary egret stands watch on the dock, unfazed, as waves lap against a fisherman’s boat nearby See below for the full list of Ten Tanka Poems 1. Mystery and Depth flamingo in flight over Siberian snow, falling from the sky; alone, a long way from home; rescued, fed, but missing warmth 2. Appropriate Statement unsure of my path, I flew the wrong direction to learn of the places where I did not need to land; then I flew home with a plan 3. Elegant Beauty in misty morning, the solitary egret stands watch on the dock unfazed as waves lap against a fisherman’s boat nearby 4. Conviction of Feeling sun rises, rain halts; too early, I’m not ready to dry my own tears. I yearn for a place where God is not yet finished grieving. 5. Lofty style moon, a doomed mother gazes at her sun from such a distance that, though their eyes meet daily, never their fingertips graze 6. Visual Description cotton floats on lake like soft cushions beneath me. I dream of leaping from my comfort zone: jumping, I wake among the ripples 7. Clever treatment great monuments built to boost man's ailing spirit ages past, and now seven wonders of the world is a miniature golf course 8. Novel Treatment footprints in the marsh, efforts to repair bayous, gauze soaked in earth’s blood; surgery and medicine heals, but leaves their own footprints. 9. Exquisite Details dewdrops caught in webs like rain suspended in mid-air, waiting to quench one’s thirst, knowing that, come sunrise, the chance is lost 10. Demon Quelling Harsh winds, under-tows, earth’s motor of change; broken covenants or divine cleansing, man’s way to reconcile the unknown. Based on Fujiwara Teika (1162-1241) who listed ten tanka techniques. According to an article about entitled "Teika's Ten Tanka Techniques" on www.ahapoetry.com, "it was a common practice for students of poetry to write sets of ten tanka on ten sets of subjects as practice and challenge". I tried to do so here. Please feel free to note your favorite one (s). http://ahapoetry.com/tanka%20techniques.html |