Notes About The Poem

Image of downtown Dallas, Texas at night

Picture taken from the west side of the Trinity River

Poem written in response to an online poetry class assignment: “Write a Tanka about Dallas, Texas.”

NEON BOOTS AND DUST

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Steel towers gleam gold Trinity River whispers~ hot wind hums through wires, a lone bull's shadow stretching across the restless concrete.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2026

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Gauthier Avatar
March 26, 2026 at 6:32 PM
Delightful ~
Gwyn Avatar
March 9, 2026 at 9:29 AM
Sara this is fantastic! I didnt even feel like I read it. It just sort of came into me. Incredible!
Etgen-Baker Avatar
March 9, 2026 at 5:42 PM
awww, thank you for such a thoughtful comment. appreciate your visit
Wolf Avatar
March 7, 2026 at 9:32 PM
Very effective, Sara. I.e., scares the H out of me... Where are the cows, horses, and real bulls? Reminds me of the mythical capitalist city of 'Coketown' in Dickens' classic, "Hard Times," written in 1854. Or the gleaming monstrosity that was 'Zenith' in Sinclair Lewis' novel, "Babbit." Dallas is hardly an upgrade, in my book. ~ Mr. Lit. Crit. Snit
Etgen-Baker Avatar
March 9, 2026 at 5:47 PM
I can see your point....some of Dallas is mythical...yet just beyond our country road are real cows, real horses, and even a baby bull that escaped and terrorized our neighborhood. That fear was real. When we first moved into our subdivision, folks from nearby properties rode their horses through our neighborhood....very different from the hustle of Dallas just miles down the road. :-)
Winter Avatar
March 7, 2026 at 8:59 PM
Beautiful! I really enjoyed reading this ! Best, Anne
Etgen-Baker Avatar
March 9, 2026 at 5:44 PM
awww, thank you dearest Anne! wishing you the best, hugs, Sara
Loving Iii Avatar
March 7, 2026 at 3:25 PM
Passed through Texas once. It was like a barn. So.... In a way that bull is Texas.
Etgen-Baker Avatar
March 9, 2026 at 5:44 PM
like a barn? Hadn't thought of that. thanks for dropping by and for commenting
Goldsmith Avatar
March 7, 2026 at 8:43 AM
I enjoyed reading. Great Dallas Picture... Have a fun day/weekend writing away............
Etgen-Baker Avatar
March 9, 2026 at 5:43 PM
you're so sweet, Paula...thank you, hugs Sara
George Avatar
March 7, 2026 at 8:38 AM
Beautiful tanka on the city of Dallas at night.
Etgen-Baker Avatar
March 9, 2026 at 5:43 PM
thank you for your visit and kind words, dearest Valsa
Sands Avatar
March 7, 2026 at 7:11 AM
Very nice Sara. Well done :)
Etgen-Baker Avatar
March 9, 2026 at 5:43 PM
thank you, Ms. Heidi...hugs, Sara
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace