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Tanka Poems | Tanka Examples

Tanka Poems. Examples of Tankas and a list of new poems in the correct poetic form and technique. Share and read short, long, best, and famous Tanka poetry while accessing rules, format, types, and a comprehensive literary definition of a Tanka.

A tanka is a form of Japanese poem consisting of five lines, the first and third composed of five syllables and the others seven, but there is more to a tanka. What is tanka in poetry (complete definition)?

Premium Member Heads Down
tympanic laughter of spinal decompression a coupled release entering the late night room oxygen rushing headlong...Read the rest...
Categories: funny,
Form: Tanka



Premium Member Senior
Sitting all alone, sipping tea, munching a scone; elderly woman in a quiet coffeehouse looking for conversation. "That was delicious", she says to the young server seemingly busy. She tries to make eye contact; the young one averts her gaze. It's like that most days... staring...Read the rest...
Categories: loneliness,
Form: Tanka
Premium Member Moon
It truly matters not where I roam and ramble; in the cities and towns where I widely travel: the moon is always with me. Anchor of the sky? A spherule relocating? Seemingly shifting, but nevertheless constant, its presence always soothing....Read the rest...
Categories: moon, nature, perspective,
Form: Tanka
Premium Member Old Fishing Boat
Old battered vessel, Waves crash but it sails onward, Seas can't break its will, With stories in every scar, Enduring, it braves the storm....Read the rest...
Categories: boat,
Form: Tanka
Premium Member uncontested
on edge all my life easily toppled over rue this...Read the rest...
Categories: conflict, deep, introspection,
Form: Tanka



Like Mother, Like Daughter
For worse or better Just like mother, like daughter. Same sin committed, Though one has better chances Of reclaiming her true love....Read the rest...
Categories: love, romance, romantic, romantic
Form: Tanka
Premium Member Lament For Summer
The summer solstice in years past so much welcomed... now there's foreboding: soaring temps, wildfires, drought... idyllic days are numbered....Read the rest...
Categories: angst, nature,
Form: Tanka
Premium Member Flag Ship
A black cloud circles. Man's doom is seen in the sky. The storms at the ports, Where trade and commerce soon die, Ships and flags still floating by....Read the rest...
Categories: freedom, sky,
Form: Tanka
Premium Member Sunrise
A morning sunrise... multicolored flowers stretch welcoming the light, radiating redolence... Summer's attar and essence....Read the rest...
Categories: appreciation, summer, sunshine,
Form: Tanka
Premium Member Ears Pierced
inside of ears pierced song penetrates dark deeply lighting up canal enhancement of oars gliding through calm waters of Venice ...Read the rest...
Categories: music,
Form: Tanka
Premium Member blooming daylily
blooming daylily gold asiatic lily.... hummingbird sips spring back door opens to garden hummingbird tries to enter...Read the rest...
Categories: nature,
Form: Tanka
Premium Member End of Haviland
end of Haviland stilled kickstands & spokes of Schwinn our teen shapely thighs after school books are returned and mind wanders down the road chill in Summer heat orange & vanilla twist creamsicle in cone the yield of sweet and tincture melting on...Read the rest...
Categories: memory,
Form: Tanka
Premium Member She stereotypes all Men
Her disappointment Has outlasted her a lifetime She now hates all men Because of one awful man Stereotyping sadness ...Read the rest...
Categories: men,
Form: Tanka
Premium Member bonfire hotdog
Popping and crackling Red hot oranges with yellows Snapping at hot dogs One falls off of Johnny’s stick Mama pushes new one on ...Read the rest...
Categories: autumn,
Form: Tanka
Premium Member danger to toddler
Legos and marbles Tiny robotic pieces Danger to toddler He carries wheel in mouth Spits it out during bath time ...Read the rest...
Categories: children,
Form: Tanka

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?


Book: Shattered Sighs