WHCshortverses
Selections: Tanka
Selected by Werner Reichhold
gone
to seed
light-headed dandelions
scattered
by the four winds
as I am today
kirsty karkow
Maine, USA |
How well the writer knows to combine a view at nature with
personal emotions. The pivot binds both parts together. A shorter
one couldn't make it work. [wr]
into
the mist
a horizon of tall ships
sails billowing
reminders of romantic times
before the age of steam
kirsty karkow
Maine, USA |
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the
faint scent
of Ivory soap
reminding me of her
creamy skin and beautiful
that sad young nun
Elizabeth
St Jacques
Sault Ste. Marie, CA
pub. Poetry in the Light 2001
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how
lovely
the white lotus
opens to the sun . . .
even in old age
longing for a daughter
Elizabeth
St Jacques
Sault Ste. Marie, CA
pub.Tanka Splendor, 1997
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.
cloudy
day
a couple uncouples
from parting embrace
the train whistle ends
to start of tears
Victor P.
Gendrano
California, USA |
This is also a good combination between parting weather and
weather for a parting. [wr]
my
grandchildren
bend while I stretch up
to kiss their cheeks
the waning autumn wind
continues on its way
Victor P.
Gendrano
California, USA |
The fabric of this poem is deeply touching . One wants to
add, ...'our programmed genes' work best without us interfering. [wr]
Modern
waka
If I could
Only pinch this fragrance,
The viburnum--
Sending its scent
On this cooling breeze.
Donna Ferrell,
Ohio, USA |
There are some doubts if starting each line in upper case does
anything good to those very short lines. To me, it seems an improper
interruption.
two
strangers
rejoicing in a robin
our eyes briefly meet
as the last clear notes
echo someone's dream
Ferris Gilli
Florida, USA |
where
we learned
the language of trees
the scent of you
on a summer wind
wilder than honey
Ferris Gilli
Florida, USA |
curved
nails
clicking against the glass
red pistachios
and warm beer have more pull
than the ring peddler's lies
Ferris Gilli
Florida, USA |
hot
faces, damp hair
exuding puppy fragrance
sudden nostalgia
sharper than five-cent lemonade
a young voice yells, "Wait for me!"
Ferris
Gilli
Florida, USA |
in
this place where
the sun shines through leaves
a small brown bird
weaving memories of you
into a water song
Ferris Gilli
Florida, USA |
In
all five* of Ferris Gilli's poems one finds two or more
corresponding parts, poetically put into relationships. How enriched
one feels reading such works, no word could be added, not a single
word there is that one wants to miss. [wr]
(*As
Ferris submitted no other categories; in lieu of other genre
offerings, 5 in one genre were permitted rather than 3; also
with the tanka of Tokisho Makino. db)
right
before my eyes
my mother's face seems to fade
into shadow
these stars tonight that hold light
then slowly give it away
Marjorie Buettner
Minnesota, USA |
Read aloud, this poem shows that the writer is engaged to having
her work recited, if not sung. [wr]
cool
autumn rain
washes away summer's warmth
the changing seasons
so much like
my feelings for you
Becky Bunsic (Tukiko)
Arizona, USA |
Tanka by Toshiko Makino, Japan
The original Japanese text has been translated into English, with
permission, by Eiko Yachimoto,
Yokosuka
city, Japan.
[wr]
kotoba sukunaki tsuma no katae ni amu reesu dokomademo kousaku
naki kyokusen ni
beside
a man
of few words
his wife is crocheting lace
each curve never
never comes across...
Toshiko Makino
Japan |
mayoi ooki ware ga toiyuku hananotera ajisai no ame ni kasa
katamukete
as
if to confirm
my doubtful mind
I visit a flower temple
the umbrella tilted
in a rain of hydrangea
Toshiko Makino
Japan |
Toshiko Makino offers us the essence of Japanese spirits. But
then it is the poet, Eiko Yachimoto, who is able to transform the
Japanese into English language so we can participate in what's
really behind the author's poetical intentions. [wr]
kioikishi
mono tsugitsugi to kuzureyuki kuuhaku no nikki ikunichika tsuzuku
one
after another
what kept me standing tall
starts to crumble--
I see diary pages
that remain white
Toshiko Makino
Japan |
'aa uu' to yasashiki boin midorigo wa haru no hikari no nakani
mezamete
"ah,
uoo, ah, uoo,"
such soft vowels
from a newborn baby
he is waking up
in the light of spring
Toshiko Makino
Japan |
zattou
wo kurage no youni fuyuusuru ware no yukue ha ware nimo wakaranu
am
I a jellyfish
floating above
and through huge crowds?
I do not realize
where I'm taken to...
Toshiko Makino
Japan |
Non-conclusive;
just that gives the reader a lot of leeway to perceive the poem this
or that way, depending on his/her current condition. [wr]
my
wine glass
reflects only fireplace flames
and an empty room
the bluesman's gravelly growl
as he strokes his guitar
Larry Gross
Florida, USA |
'Subliminal time'- the fear of it and the wish to learn to adapt
oneself to it- this thought carries me through all 3 tanka. Larry
knows how to reach out to the secrets and how to get the reader
involved with what he wishes to transform. [wr]
homecoming
my mother's large computer
and Dad's Web TV
how small now the rug
where i watched cartoons
Larry Gross
Florida, USA |
his
rough hands
clean the barn stalls
in sunset's glint
while I waste more time
on this fleeting verse
Larry Gross
Florida, USA |
glistening
water
the hazy and straight figures
in the evening breeze-
the gaze is lingering on
another different image
Sonia Christina Coman
Constanza, Romania |
Compared to Sonia's poetic technique, linear composed thoughts
may seem easier to comprehend, but they don't stick to one's mind in
the long run, like these poems do. The reason? The comparisons she
uses take us far off into another realm. [wr]
at
the nunnery
a prayer told by the nuns
for the New Year-
onto the Virgin's icon
a vigilant butterfly
Sonia Christina Coman
Constanza, Romania |
.
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