OF AND IN POETIC GARDENING
(Apropos Of A Tanka Flow)
First, plow free your mind,
Then sow liberating seeds;
Letting others reap:-
Cultivating mentally,
Fertilizes destiny:-
Gardening poets,
Continue to plow and sow
Inspiring word-seeds:
Germinating reaped wisdom
Fruited with navigation:-
Poetic farmers,
Laboring in works of love,
Keep nourishing us
With those cistern-juices flow
From your gardens’ word-fruits:-
Through this vast world,
In the onederful oneness
Of fruiting onement,
Praises to farming poets,
For flowing fruiting fullness:-
the glow of the night
mystery of creation
dressed by the season
the moon is the night’s wonder
a lamp in the inky sky
September 18, 2025.
Compassion within
reflected by each kind deed
done with loving thoughts
and good will toward strangers
without expecting reward.
I close my two eyes
meditate on all my dreams
fantasies flashes
i am hoping, eyes open
to longing reality.
waking on dew
young magnolias rise
from strokes of tinseled light
each bloom becomes a forest --
in watercolor gold
IN WAITING AWARENESS
Things you can’t run from,
Quickly walk away from them,
Before they arrive:-
Thus, is natured awareness:
Ready for what things may come:-
RAISED AND SQUARED WITH GOD
Lying parallel,
Pleased and thankful for today:-
Perpendicular:
Squaring my service to God,
With love labors to others:-
Autumn Sway
golden leaves in flight
chilly breeze whirls through the trees
sunshine fades away
rancid scent hangs in the air
autumn firmly holds its sway.
great blue heron glides
from its silent perch 'pon limb....
fishing in shallows
how I enjoyed watching him
take pictures~ store memories
a searing gash
the world still lives through
Sep.11~
as phoenix proudly rises
from ashes, life resurrects.
Autumnal colours
a tinge of ruby and peach
upon earth and sky
soft pastel feuille morte hues
warming the hearts
Placed sixth
TANKA poetry contest
Sponsored by: Brian Strand
Palace halls hide thoughts
location clues glimmer bright
words echo when passed
images and places bound
anchor what the mind lets slip
Marble cracks hold screams
floors reek with forgotten tears
keys corrode to rust -
is this palace yours to keep
or the maze you cannot leave
The dog each morning
lies across the fresh-dug grave
be it snow or sun;
For the dog does not know death;
his master still lives within.
Written: September 15, 2025, for contest by Brian Strand
*******
A name in the dust,
etched once on a windowpane—
sunlight fades the trace,
but the ache remains intact,
like a song without its tune.
sickle moon moves slyly
slices dark clouds in dim sky
stars sprout to light up
sore mind shreds life in its grip
divine soul wakes up to heal
Specific Types of Tanka Poems
Read wonderful tanka poetry on the following sub-topics:
art, animals, christmas, death, family, flowers, food, friendship, funny, kids, life, love, music, nature, nursery, parents, sadness, school, spring, sports, summer, war, winter
and more.
Definition | What is Tanka in Poetry?