Music Tanka Poems | Examples
These Music Tanka poems are examples of Tanka poems about Music. These are the best examples of Tanka Music poems written by international poets.
Tanka Triptych Poetry Contest // Sponsored by: John Andersen
( 1st Place )
Written: August 26, 2025
the waiting
beside the old chair
my guitar waits in stillness
strings asleep in dust
the moment my fingers reach
the silence bends into sound
the voice
a low trembling voice
rises from its wooden chest
shaping all my hours
midnight sorrow braided through
with the thread of restless hope
the afterglow
when the song drifts off
its breath remains inside me
soft as ember-glow
guiding me to start again
with a heart that learns to heal
explore a country
by bus train boat and walking
endless nuances
of people places nature
savour such special moments
rural or urban
a cultural condiment
art dance music words
untold natural wonders
gems around every corner
vast experience
beyond tourist gazetteer
lifes outlook changes
and perceptions remoulded
physical and mind travels
A red wine stain stays
seared into the wooden grain —
the table keeps watch
how their laughter filled the room
last time they were together
Jellybeans loiter
on the shelf in cookie jar
I wish none remained —
better emptiness than this
waiting for sweet that's hollow
Perfume on pillows,
a scent that's too strong at times
still wafts through the air —
sometimes the scent warms the room
often it dampens the mood
Burn marks scar the trays
where scones were baked lovingly
await scraper's blade —
to erase fond memories
of toppings with jam and cream
Much-loved song lies poised
in the player seldom used
my choice, not hers now —
ready to play her music
to ignite the glow we shared
No flowers drying
only books she left behind —
in the bookcases
that still cups the curve of hands
that held them by candlelight
Mailbox yawns empty
no letters, no messages
no texts, likes on screens —
she deleted her accounts
no one home, got no reply
So much left to clean
to pack, stack, clean and carry
yet I leave it still —
for the mess is a mirror
that keeps her ghost in the room
Chaos color blast
blue sun is traveling fast
past a blood red moon.
Creatures scurry for cover
on the dark side of summer.
Red tailed comets streak
Paisley colors growing weak,
Midst music, dance, laughs!
Night has destroyed amber day;
and the world's in disarray.
internal music
the best unwritten poems,
the pure nature sounds
the tranquility within
one self-calm peaceably talk
Your Choice T Poetry Contest: Sponsored by Brian Strand (April/May 2025)
all time classic soul
music from a poor man’s son
turn that volume up
for the motor city sound
now everything is alright
Six enlightened tunes
Eight melodies of virtues
To become acclaimed
In the ten skies of the Church
This is the eternal bell
This poem is about a 1,200 year old Manichaean bell (and its inscription) found in Ordu-Baliq (Capital of the Uyghur Khaganate).
the first drops of rain
carried music to my ears
it got me inspired
let my creative juices flow
I wrote down my first poem
Covid quarantine
I need to learn something new
Creativity
I self taught ukulele
I began to hear my song
Music notes on air
Like bubbles floating by me
Pop! I hear lyrics!
Writing feelings; melodies
My thoughts turned to Poetry
music of the spheres
imbibed by resonation ~
heart lotus opens
ripples in the void convey
the sound of one hand clapping
His crooked white clock
On night stand like a black block.
Time stands still on clock.
Music making us unlock
Our hearts out of every block.
The 'Sax' and 'Trumpet'
That 'Trane' ran for four big 'Miles'
Through the 'Big Fifties'
Improvisation 'So Cool'
Driving jazz to a new day
Music - melody
Universal attraction.
Songs in symphony.
Instrumental and vocal.
Creation of sonata
Melody from flute
Unwraps my immersed feelings
Senses touched divine
Innermost emotions surge
Cadence fills the air sublime
Dare to shine brightly
Among wall flowers who sigh.
Nothing brings hearts as
Close as music and laughter
Everyone should dance with joy!