Gert W. Knop Poet Tanka

Lost/ Verschollen/ Desaparecido (Sentanka)

A drought ridden land
And miles and miles yet to go
Into uncertainty

A dream lost in desert sands
All tracks of existance wiped out

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Ein ausgedörrtes Land
Und noch Meile für Meile zu gehen
Hinein ins Ungewisse

Ein Traum verloren im Wüstensand
Ausgeöscht alle Spuren des Seins

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Una tierra secada
Y milla por milla para ir
Hacia lo desconocido

Sueño perdido en la arena del desierto
Todas las trazas de ser borradas



Note: Ludwig Leichhardt (1813-1848) was a German explorer, zoologist, botanist and
geologist. In 1842 he came to Australia to study its mostly unknown nature. He wrote a
diary on his first expedition (1844/45), titled "Journal of an Overland Expedition in
Australia 1844-1845. This ebook is available from the Australian Explorers Journals page.
His second expedition in 1848 failed and he started again on a third expedition in 1848 to
find a cross-country route from the cattle station McPherson (Queensland) to Perth
(Western Australia). He and other expedition members were lost in the desert. Two rescue
expeditions in 1858 ans 1869 ended unsuccessful. Only in 2006 a small copper plate was
found by an Aboriginal with Leichhardt's name engraved fixed to remains of a  half burnt
rifle which hung in a Baobab tree near the Simpson Desert. The tree was merked with the
letter "L"

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Caroline Cécile Delacroix July 13, 2010 at 11:17 PM That is a very interesting Tanka. Even though this write is based on the explorer's true story, it carries a deep meaning. Uncertainty leads to loss. Thanks for sharing this and the information. Alles Gute, Caroline.

Linda-Marie Sweetheart July 13, 2010 at 7:36 AM Tante Grazia.. hope I spelled that correctly Gert.. fabulous of u to send me so many interpretations to use while I will be in Italy.. will think of more that might be important.. if u don't mind.. with luv.

Kabuteng P.Ink K. July 7, 2010 at 9:23 AM btw I do hope you come up with that book--that's really interesting, to come up with a book about your childhood :)

Kabuteng P.Ink K. July 7, 2010 at 9:22 AM Hi Gert ^_^ Mabuting gabi sa 'yo! (Good evening to you!) --yet another very interesting write from you, complete with very useful background info :) how sad that one's hunger for discovery can lead to one's death--that is passion indeed! btw thank you for your compliments about our chocolates-- I really enjoy making them--though mostly as a hobby haha it can be stressful & crazy how I wouldn't even want to eat chocolate after making all of it. will reply to your email soon! nikko :)

Andrea Dietrich July 6, 2010 at 7:15 PM Love it, Gert!! Did you mean wiped out at the end line. Or maybe they spell it differently where you are? YOu made it romantic sounding! LUv, Andrea

Linda-Marie Sweetheart July 6, 2010 at 6:34 PM Gert this is a special write.. so wonderful and your footnotes are so grand.. I posted a new blog tonight with some vacation photos.. we have taken hundreds.. so if u want to taste a little island magic go see ..more to post in the coming days after Soupers have seen these... and.. u must read my Vacation Photos little bio... u are in it... AlohA..

James Marshall Goff July 6, 2010 at 5:09 PM mysterious and wonderful! Gert! jimbo

Carol Sunshine Brown July 6, 2010 at 4:03 PM Thank you for sharing your poetry with us here at PoetrySoup Gert. I hope you plan on being here and writing for years to come. It was a pleasure to read your poetry today. Wishing you the best always. Love, Carol

Wilma Neels July 6, 2010 at 2:36 PM Great write, thank you for the information you've added, really interesting.. With regards to my "the unknown" piece, its a work in progress hehe, but I'm still enjoying it.. Thanks for your comments and encouragement, enjoy your week further, :) Wilma

Carolyn Devonshire July 6, 2010 at 7:42 AM So many adventure seekers take on treacherous expeditions, Gert. It seems most are lost at sea, but I'll the account of Leichhardt's first attempt to cross the Australian desert is a compelling read. We are left to wonder what became of him and his comrads. Informative and well-penned tanka. I'm always learning from you, my friend. Love, Carolyn

Doris Culverhouse July 6, 2010 at 7:35 AM great poem, congrats on the feature this week enjoyed reading today!!

Poet Destroyer A July 6, 2010 at 5:17 AM A strong and deep Tanka, a journey with sadness. Enjoyed your poem,..LeeAnn

Sara Kendrick July 6, 2010 at 5:00 AM Brave soul that tried unsuccessfully to accomplish a goal..Today we have modern satellites that probably have mapped that area..He would be surprised modern day..Keep the informative and educational writes flowing..Sara...Thanks for faithfully stopping by and commenting on my work..