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A Triad of Tanka X: The Brooding Moorland

The brooding moorland

Is windswept and desolate...

And gives nothing back.

In this vast, hushed upper-land...

A very dreadful beauty!
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Inside that wide void...

A resounding emptiness

Which fills the whole sky.

For never greater volume              

With such solitude than here.   
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Strange, shrill calling birds

Above the rippling heather;          

Their ragged shadows

Buoyed up on combing waves 

Pushed out with each surge of wind.
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Krishika Upadhyay Date: 9/15/2025 8:22:00 PM This is atmospheric and vivid. The moorland comes alive with wind, emptiness, and haunting beauty, capturing both solitude and wildness. Thank you for sharing this with us. Login to Reply

Tom Woody Date: 9/12/2025 5:15:00 AM I've had a certain dread of the moors ever since watching Hound of the Baskervilles lol. Anyway, your tankas are awesome Login to Reply John Fleming Date: 9/14/2025 4:55:00 AM Thanks, Tom. Glad you enjoyed them. I love the moorlands. Ever since I was a boy, fly fishing up on a Scottish Moorland, one evening on a little river with my father, I remember him saying, as it got dark, "if I left you here for half an hour whilst I brought the car closer...would you be afraid?" "No", I replied. And ever since...the strange darkness of the wild moorlands has never bothered me. Cheers, Tom! p.s having said all of that...I am not likely to run into a wolf or a grizzly up on a Scottish moorland. Lol.

Sara Etgen-Baker Date: 9/10/2025 5:15:00 PM your imagery told a story of each place. Outstanding poem! wishing you a splendid evening, Sara Login to Reply John Fleming Date: 9/14/2025 4:44:00 AM Thanks, Sara. Always a pleasure to see you here at my little corner of the Soup. Best regards! :) john

Riley Emerson Date: 9/10/2025 1:43:00 PM An illustration in words. I can see the imagery in my head. Excellent write. :-) Login to Reply John Fleming Date: 9/14/2025 4:43:00 AM Thank you Riley - you are very kind to say so! :) john

Anne-Lise Andresen Date: 9/10/2025 1:08:00 PM - All three tell their story ... my favorite is the first ... skillfully written as always, John :) - hugs Login to Reply John Fleming Date: 9/14/2025 4:42:00 AM Thank you, Anne-Lise. My very best regards to you! :) john

Victor Buhagiar Date: 9/10/2025 12:24:00 PM A triad of tankas. Even in desolation, your imagery is perfect. Login to Reply John Fleming Date: 9/10/2025 12:35:00 PM Thank you, Victor ...kind words indeed. And very much appreciated! :) john