Home » Poems » Vanya Evangeline » TANABATA by the Milky Way

Notes About The Poem

Tanabata, also known as the Star Festival, is a traditional Japanese celebration held on July 7th. It is based on a legend about two star-crossed lovers, Orihime (the star Vega) and Hikoboshi (the star Altair), who can only meet once a year on this day.

According to the legend, Orihime, a weaving princess, and Hikoboshi, a cowherd, fell in love and began neglected their duties over each other. As punishment, they were separated by the Milky Way and allowed to meet only once a year on July 7th. Their reunion depends on the skies being clear, symbolizing hope and devotion.

TANABATA by the Milky Way

blessed maiden by the stream
weaving raiments from the stars
apple of her father's eye
full of charm and grace

there lived one across the bank
across where the princess weaved
steering oxen through the grass
able, strong and brave

the princess and the cowherd
crossed paths by the Milky Way
a glance, a nod, and a wink
love then swept their feet

lost within each other's gaze,
the weaver's loom stopped her spin
oxen roamed the fields alone
order came apart

their love became a poison
the king thus bade the cowherd:
"depart henceforth, and return
where you once belonged!"

the lovers held their farewells
but the parting broke their hearts
and so the Milky Way's banks
filled up with their tears

the king, therefore, must relent
to give their love one more chance
for one bright eve they shall meet
at the magpie's bridge

fantasylonginglost lovemythdodoitsu

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Debjani Mitra

June 13, 2025 at 11:01 PM

Wow, so well written , poetic yet made interesting and touching. Loved the Milky Way separation I think all countries have such love stories: rich boy poor girl and vice versa , Yet love finds a way out , to remain immortal

Len Gasun

June 13, 2025 at 10:10 PM

Thanks for sharing this lovely story as your inpiration of writting this stellar doidotsu my dear poet friend Vanya. You write so well even this difficult but beautiful form of poetry! I saw it won. Big Congrats on your win and this excellent piece! Hugs

Vanya Evangeline

June 13, 2025 at 10:18 PM

Thank you so much Len! I wanted to use a Japanese poetic form for this subject, and I picked the dodoitsu because I thought it's multiplicity of 7-syllable lines is the most appropriate for a festival held on the 7th day of the 7th month (I can be pedantic like that)