birds fly

birds fly
I want to
birds die
so do I
then I fly

* * * * *

Written for

FORUM

The Writer's Cramp - Poetry Week!  (13+) Write the best story in 24 hours or less and win 10K GPS! #333655 by Sophy New Year

Using the English Tanka form

To explain how to write the English Tanka, we have to take a look at the original form. The original is coming out of Japan. Tanka means short poem. The traditional Tanka has 31 syllables, divided in five lines.

Line 1: 5 syllables
Line 2: 7 syllables
Line 3: 5 syllables
Line 4: 7 syllables
Line 5: 7 syllables


The English form is shorter. To approach the same rhythm of the Japanese Tanka, you have to build the English Tanka in 13 syllables.

Line 1: 2 syllables
Line 2: 3 syllables
Line 3: 2 syllables
Line 4: 3 syllables
Line 5: 3 syllables