John Anderson Poet Tanka

Notes About The Poem

Prompt: Quill of Defiance

A poet is more than a penman—
not merely a rash historian of verse.
We shatter the ordinary,
aspiring to the nirvana of heaven,
unwavering in the face of decay.
We explore the remnants of society,
discern the divine from the false,
cast aside the sustenance fed to tired souls
and build soaring meditations from ash.

Listen to poem:

Jangles Flap from Washing Lines

Mister Joe jangles
loose change deep in his pockets
jogging memories
he washes, tumbles and hangs
up to flap for passers by

a lover of words
incessant with their jingle
riddles, rhymes, clangs, songs—
they taunt him and his readers
to add new charms to bracelets

words stir still waters,
claw rogue paths through apathy—
sifting good from bad—
dispelling glitter and rust
to forge badges for reason

Joe can dance for you
in ragged clothes, worn out shoes
with the old soft shoe—
if you hear or read the words
flapping washing on the lines

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