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Life Tanka Poems

These Life Tanka poems are examples of Tanka poems about Life. These are the best examples of Tanka Life poems written by international poets.

better way to live


busy folk walking
its in hospital I lie
I hear staff talking
softly accommodating
spend my last moments waiting

give a man my heart
when his own stops and wont start
better

Categories: death, life,

What Is Friendship POTD

friendship can be great
looking when will I find you
will that be today
are you now looking for me
will our search go on and on


there you stood

Categories: flower, friend, fun, life,

Tanka Triptych

though Mom's memory
is slow she smiles at photo
taken many years 
ago when life was simple
with no confusion chaos 

Mom's hospice nurses
are thorough even small things
are

Categories: death, life,

The Walking Dead

Walking dead. Zombies.
Drones looking for sustinance.
Hungry with blank eyes.
Living no life and loveless.
Aimlessly forging ahead.

Walking dead. Zombies.
Reminds me of the living.
No life, yet still here.
Sit

Categories: metaphor, philosophy,

Battleground

mighty conquerors
we vanquish and liberate
in the name of right
patriotic, strong and proud 
valiantly, we risk our lives

the stalwart oppressed
we defend against tyrants
for our way of

Categories: war,

GETTING READY IN NATURE

GETTING READY IN NATURE

Lions shaking all off…
Elephants self showering…
Snakes changing their skins…
Human nature needs cleaning…
Time to wipe out injustice…

Categories: allegory,

HEART OF FALL'S KALEIDOSCOPE

HEART OF FALL’S  KALEIDOSCOPE
Poem written for and submitted to “Tanka Triptych” Poetry Contest, John Anderson, sponsor. 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
air shifts, faint changes
autumn’s clockwork ticks softly
the turning

Categories: 12th grade, autumn, introspection,

When the Stars Looked My Way

rain fell with riddles
chalk dust tumbled from my hands
I loved the schoolyard —
learned questions I had not asked—
left un-quenched thirst in my mouth

seashell in my

Categories: age, angst, anxiety, life,

Living Analogue Invisible in Parallel

on parallel shore
I wander where waves caress
no footprints online
only brine, rock, and seabirds
to echo that I'm present

screens flare like lures do
hooking the curious in—
I keep

Categories: computer, internet,

OF FOOD AND WARRING: A TANKA QUINTET

OF FOOD AND WARRING
(A TANKA QUIENTET)

Juxtaposed bombs fall…
Food’s down, starvation rising…
Death…collateral…
Thus, war’s new reaping of death:
Food uprooted and destroyed:-

Food’s an enemy,
Seeking to eat, deadly:
Starvation killing:-
Thus,

Categories: corruption, death, extended metaphor,

IN THE CULTIVATION OF LIBERTY

IN THE CULTIVATION OF LIBERTY

Let’s cultivate hope;
germinating will power,
nourishing courage:-
Like mowed down green grass,
let’s keep regerminating:-

Fruits of courage reaped,
let’s sow liberation seeds,
awaiting her fruits:
Liberty’s fruits

Categories: allegory,

Smash the Mirrors

Me looks in mirrors
My I self has intention
without strings to things
It asks, seeks love, looks outward
enjoying life mirror-free

Categories: confidence, wisdom,

Don’t Cave In

Don’t raise the white flag
when sly boots ennui sneaks in
stoic mould  is key
life is that intriguing quest
a conjugated footpath

Categories: adventure, august, celebration, courage,

OF LIFE AND ROSES

OF LIFE AND ROSES

Life is like roses,
our petals and thorns tested
daily in our lives:-
Keep bloosoming and blooming :
enduring life’s naturing:-

Categories: analogy, encouraging, endurance, growth,

A CAPITALISTIC PERSPECTIVE ON WAR: A TANKA QUINTET FLOW

Bombs begetting bombs, 
War mongers are safe and sound;
Others being bombed:
The bombing of others reaps
Bloody power over them

No matter who dies,
Nuclear war bombing pays off;
Bombs

Categories: allegory,