Notes About The Poem

Tanka
A Japanese poem of five lines, the first and third composed of five syllables and the others seven. In Japanese, tanka is often written in one straight line, but in English and other languages, we usually divide the lines into the five syllabic units: 5-7-5-7-7.
Each tanka is divided into two segments. The first three lines are the upper phrase, and the last two lines are the lower phrase. The upper phrase typically contains an image, and the lower phrase exposes the poet's ideas about that image.

Flickering Firefly

flickering fireflies

faerie spirits of the land,

I cry to see you...

but when I embrace the sea,

she washes those tears away.


(Tanka)


6/01/2021
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021


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Date: 3/17/2022 10:14:00 PM
back with my big congrats, Emile. a special tanka indeed
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Emile Pinet
Date: 3/18/2022 8:13:00 AM
Thanks, Andrea, I both welcome and appreciate your comments my friend, Emile.
Date: 3/16/2022 8:36:00 AM
"fairy spirits of the land..." a beautiful thought; lovely poem. Congratulations.
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Emile Pinet
Date: 3/16/2022 11:01:00 AM
Thanks, Ann, I appreciate your comments my friend, Emile.
Date: 2/19/2022 3:49:00 PM
Very interesting the way you wrote the tell part couplet. I like this a lot . Congrats
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Emile Pinet
Date: 2/20/2022 8:13:00 AM
Thanks so much, Andrea, you have brought a smile to my day, my friend, Emile.
Date: 2/19/2022 8:40:00 AM
Wow, how creative! Brilliant Tanka - such a mesmerizing image! "she washes those tears away" - fabulous! Congratulations.
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Emile Pinet
Date: 2/19/2022 8:55:00 AM
Thanks so much, Malabika, you know how to bring a smile to my day, my friend, Emile.
Date: 6/7/2021 2:50:00 AM
Creative winning work. Way to go. Congrats. Those fireflies are interesting to watch at night. Sara
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Emile Pinet
Date: 6/7/2021 5:52:00 AM
Thanks Sara, your comments are always welcomed and appreciated my friend, Emile.
Date: 6/4/2021 5:31:00 PM
this is really good tanka. Just like they ought to be done, Emile. BIG congrats for your win.
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Emile Pinet
Date: 6/4/2021 8:47:00 PM
Thanks so much Andrea, you know how to create a smile my friend, Emile.
Date: 6/4/2021 5:00:00 PM
Lovely imagery in your tanka, Emile! Congrats on your win! Blessings, Kim M
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Emile Pinet
Date: 6/4/2021 8:48:00 PM
Thanks Kim, your comments are always welcomed and appreciated my friend, Emile.
Date: 6/3/2021 10:17:00 AM
Congratulations!
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Emile Pinet
Date: 6/3/2021 11:34:00 AM
Thanks Christuraj, I appreciate it my friend, Emile.
Date: 6/3/2021 10:13:00 AM
Emile, congratulations. Your creativity is on full display in your tanka. Love the melding of the magic of fireflies and the comforting hand of the sea. Just a delightful picture of magic and compassion. Blessings of fireflies to you!
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Emile Pinet
Date: 6/3/2021 11:33:00 AM
Thanks so much Sam, you have me blushing in the warmth of your praise my friend, Emile.
Date: 6/1/2021 12:21:00 PM
Such a delightful tanka, Emile. I really believe the sea "washes those tears away." I think that's why folks flock to the beaches whenever the weather warms.
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Emile Pinet
Date: 6/1/2021 1:23:00 PM
Thanks so much Milt, you always manage to bring a smile to my day my friend, Emile.
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