Sam Kauffman Poet Tanka

Sun and Storm Song

Triptych 8-20-25 Sponsor: John Anderson
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sun and storm song

eerie storm warning
light swallowed by ebony
banshee ballads rise
in mantras of humid breaths
atonal whirlwinds unleashed

downbeats of thunder
lightning rakes holes in the sky
tempest dirge rumbles
curtains of raindrops descend
plainchants of torrential rain 

sun and storm collide
colors rise from light and mist
drenched in neon tears
sunbows arch in harmonies
orchestration of rainbows

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Andrea Dietrich August 30, 2025 at 4:43 PM Splendid work. Probably one of the most poetic ones I have seen

Gary Radice August 28, 2025 at 10:22 PM These tankas together create a beautifully descriptive work that drips with imagery and atmosphere here Sam. You manage to 'get inside' the storm and bring it to life. Love the metaphors in the last two lines of each tanka and in particular "curtains of raindrops descend" Your talent for both poetry and music combine like the sun and storm that come together to produce the rainbow. I see a paintbrush dipped in a jar of water as the colours swirl, disperse and merge. Just me :) Cheers - Gary

Ann Peck August 28, 2025 at 12:25 PM So very lovely, Sam. There is so much poetry in a storm, and you captured most of it. Sam Kauffman August 28, 2025 at 1:30 PM Dear Ann, thank you! And, I totally agree. A storm is a poetic treasure trove of images, sounds, emotions and metaphors! There is a mystical magic about them! It was sheer delight to think about a storm ending in rainbows. Sending you calm summer blessings!

Valsa George August 26, 2025 at 9:22 PM Wow... this is lovely, dear Sam. We both have dealt with the same thoughts of a sudden summer rain. But definitely there is greater beauty and strength in your descriptions with the use of more powerful words and images. All the best, gifted friend. Sam Kauffman August 27, 2025 at 10:20 AM Dearest Valsa, great minds indeed act in concert! Thank you many times over for this amazing feedback! I seem to hear a symphony of many movements in a storm. I love your tanka string! To be honest I think both of us captured the power and energy of a summer storm. So glad this contest gave us the chance to stretch our poetic "legs!" Sending you many blessings dear friend!!

Paige Hind August 24, 2025 at 6:36 PM Ah, this is a lovely set of Tankas. You did great for this contest. :) Beautiful. Sam Kauffman August 25, 2025 at 10:36 AM Morning, Paige! Thank you so much! Have watched many a storm roll in with wind and dark skies! The special ones end in rainbows! Have a great week! Blessings!

Deb M August 21, 2025 at 12:23 PM Wow Sam such wonderful imagery bringing the poem to life! Just lovely! Debx Sam Kauffman August 23, 2025 at 7:07 PM Hi Deb! Thank you so much! Incoming storms seem to have such dynamic images it was great fun to capture that energy! And in our area often a storm will spawn a rainbow - power and beauty. Hope all is well! Blessings to you!

Terry Miller August 21, 2025 at 3:29 AM well written and constructed tanka series GL in the contest Sam Kauffman August 21, 2025 at 10:59 AM Hi Terry! Thank you! I love writing haiku, haiku strings and tanka especially when I get to tell a story based in nature! So appreciate that you saw the relationship of each verse. Fun format! All the best! Cheers! Blessings!

Bill Baker August 20, 2025 at 10:21 PM Lovely imagery, Sam. Good luck in the contest, my friend. Bill Sam Kauffman August 21, 2025 at 10:56 AM Hi Bill! Storms and rainbows seem to lend themselves perfectly to striking images. So glad you liked the imagery here as you experience some pretty incredible, and often destructive, storms. Thank you for your contest wishes, my Lone Star friend. Blessings of calm winds and clear skies to you!

sara Etgen-Baker August 20, 2025 at 4:53 PM well constructed, Sam, with breathtaking imagery! I especially liked: curtains of raindrops descend plainchants of torrential rain Best wishes with this entry in the contest. It should place well! Sam Kauffman August 21, 2025 at 10:48 AM Hi Sara! So very grateful for your wonderful, always thoughtful feedback! So much fun to create word pictures! Thank you! Hope John likes it. It was fun to think about a coming storm that births rainbows! Hugs and blessing dear friend!

Sara Kendrick August 20, 2025 at 3:05 PM Very descriptive of the storms we have been having. I enjoyed reading this one today. I especially enjoyed the last stanza. Sara K Sam Kauffman August 21, 2025 at 10:45 AM Hi Sara! Thank you! Summer storms can be quite spectacular in your area especially with the humidity as long as they are not hurricanes or tornadoes I, too, like the last tanka as it reflects the birth of rainbows! We seem to have a rainbow season here in March and April! All the best. Blessings and prayers!