Home » Poems » John Fleming » A Triad of Tanka V: Forever Her

A Triad of Tanka V: Forever Her


That first piercing stare

Which shoved my young innocence

Into confusion.

Suddenly...my little pond

Was tipped into her ocean.
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On the way to work

I would linger in the streets,

Shopping in windows,

Hoping to catch a shy glimpse

Of drifting cloud wrapped in flame!

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The long road was wide;

But could not hold the whole World.

Though at that moment...

It seemed to me that the road

Desperately strove to try.
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Kim Rodrigues

Date: 8/22/2025 10:31:00 AM

Funny how “that one” gets your attention. The long, wide road tried to hold the whole world. It is like your heart was all hers.

John Fleming
Date: 8/22/2025 3:37:00 PM

You have just scored a Bullseye, Kim! She encouraged, even pursued me, often enough. But there are some things you can never really posses. W.B Yates sums it up best with those immortal lines: "With a beauty like a tightened bow...A kind that was not natural in an age like this". :) john

Sara Etgen-Baker

Date: 8/21/2025 5:04:00 PM

outstanding Tankas. Each one offers something unique...great skill you have, Sara

John Fleming
Date: 8/22/2025 3:29:00 PM

Thanks, Sara. It is a tribute to an outstanding beauty...the like of which I have never seen again. :) john p.s nor would I wish too. :)

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 8/21/2025 4:16:00 PM

This is quite good. I especially liked that first one!

John Fleming
Date: 8/22/2025 3:26:00 PM

Thanks, Andrea. These Tankas are all about the same person. She would quite literally stop the traffic when she walked out. A rare beauty that I have never seen equalled. Many thanks! :) john

Mystic Rose Rose

Date: 8/21/2025 2:56:00 PM

wow you are getting real good at these tankas, you'll need to teach me how to do them so easily

John Fleming
Date: 8/22/2025 3:23:00 PM

Your Tankas that I read the other night were pretty good I thought, Rose. :) I think the Tanka format rather suits my style of writing...but I think I am not quite there yet. Must try harder! :) john

Sotto Poet

Date: 8/21/2025 1:48:00 PM

Each of the three tankas offers a delightful reflection that sticks with the reader. Three unique perspectives, each painstakingly developed, John

John Fleming
Date: 8/21/2025 2:16:00 PM

As always...your comments are most insightful, S.P. They were indeed, as you remark, "painstakingly developed". You have bestowed a great compliment on me. I kicked these three around for hours - beat and pounded them like original clay! I really do enjoy attempting these Tankas...rewarding...but exhausting too. Many thanks, S.P. Much appreciated by me! :) john

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 8/21/2025 12:31:00 PM

- Three with totally different pictures, skillfully written, John :) - hugs

John Fleming
Date: 8/21/2025 12:50:00 PM

I am very pleased that you enjoyed reading them, Anne-Lise. You are always most welcome here. :) john

Deb M

Date: 8/21/2025 12:19:00 PM

Excellent write John....Debx

John Fleming
Date: 8/21/2025 12:27:00 PM

Thank you, Deb. I enjoy trying to write these Tankas. I will keep on trying until I get it more right. Cheers! :) john

Tom Woody

Date: 8/21/2025 5:25:00 AM

So awesome John. I was thinking line five would be even cooler if it read: tipped into her ocean. In any case you spin a nice tale in brief. You're becoming the tanka maestro!

John Fleming
Date: 8/21/2025 6:49:00 AM

By jingo, Tom, I think you are onto something there. Consider it done! Cheers!