Rowena Velasco Poet Tanka

guitar - tanka triptych

Tanka Triptych Poetry Contest // Sponsored by: John Andersen 
Contest Judged:  8/31/2025 7:00:00 PM
( 1st Place )

Written: August 26, 2025


the waiting

beside the old chair
my guitar waits in stillness
strings asleep in dust
the moment my fingers reach
the silence bends into sound

the voice

a low trembling voice
rises from its wooden chest
shaping all my hours
midnight sorrow braided through
with the thread of restless hope

the afterglow

when the song drifts off
its breath remains inside me
soft as ember-glow
guiding me to start again
with a heart that learns to heal

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Vanya Evangeline September 1, 2025 at 5:11 AM Such a beautifully penned tanka, Rowena. I've always loved guitar sounds (and most stringed instruments). Congrats on the win! Rowena Velasco September 2, 2025 at 3:14 AM Thanks very much! I’m happy you enjoyed it.

Charles Messina September 1, 2025 at 4:20 AM So nicely written, Rowena. Congratulations on your top win! Charlie Rowena Velasco September 2, 2025 at 3:12 AM Thanks Charles!

Valsa George September 1, 2025 at 2:57 AM Your sleeping guitar when touched produces melancholic 'midnight sorrow braided through with the thread of restless hope. Beautiful tanka series. Congratulations, Rowena on your first place win Rowena Velasco September 2, 2025 at 3:11 AM Thanks a lot! It means so much coming from you Valsa I’m glad the tanka touched you.

Terry Miller September 1, 2025 at 12:38 AM Congratulations on your creative poem and top placement in John's interesting contest Rowena Velasco September 2, 2025 at 3:09 AM Thank you so much! I really appreciate your kind words.

John Anderson August 31, 2025 at 7:21 PM Congratulations for your First place in my Tanka Triptych Contest. You did an excellent job with the strict format rules. I really enjoyed reading your poem and hope you may consider using this and similar Tanka String format poems in the future. Thanks again for your entry - Very Well Done. Cheers Rowena Velasco August 31, 2025 at 7:28 PM Thank you so much, John, for the first-place honor and your kind words. I really enjoyed the challenge of the Tanka Triptych form, and I appreciate your encouragement to continue exploring it. Grateful for your time and for hosting such a thoughtful contest. Cheers!

Hilda Greenhough August 27, 2025 at 8:31 AM This is beautiful. Your tanka explores the evolution of a guitar in its voice and the emotions of the musician. It s a true gift to music and to poetry. Rowena Velasco August 27, 2025 at 8:47 AM Thank you.

sara Etgen-Baker August 26, 2025 at 4:03 PM well done for the contest, Rowena. I liked your take and your topic...have a splendid evening, Sara Rowena Velasco August 26, 2025 at 10:26 PM Thank you so much, Sara! Wishing you a splendid evening too.

Bill Baker August 26, 2025 at 2:53 PM Very creative offering for the contest, Rowena. I think your poem will place well, my friend. Bill Rowena Velasco August 26, 2025 at 10:24 PM Thanks so much, Bill! Your encouragement truly lifts my spirits. I’m just happy to be sharing alongside talented friends like you.