You smile--our eyes meetI have known you all my lifestranger in the parksparks as old as time ignitethe flame of love at first sight
Issue 2
39 tanka by 28 poets, from Tanka Journal’s free online edition.
Also in print
Issue 2 in paperback
This issue was printed by Prolific Press. Copies are still available in the bookstore.
Buy the paperbackGolden prairie grassI see your long blond tressesyour voice on the breezeas soft as secret love wordsanother day of longing
remember beachesand fine condominiumsbeautiful peoplecan splash their airs and gracesin the flotsam of the sea
Leaving the cocoon,When does the caterpillarKnow its life has changed?Ponds reflect the cygnet, swan--We look into others' eyes.
sharp acrid wood smokewafts around a plodding mulegrinding sugar canehornets fly from far awaydrawn to the smell of sweet juice
a front porch swing swaysas a creaking rusty chainslowly oscillatescrickets sing in harmonythings seen and heard, never told
A whirlwind romance--an emotional typhoon--sweeping winds of change,and as quickly lovers drift,riding tomorrow's tempest.
fat sleepy puppyhas he a Buddha nature?doesn't want to knowwhy or how he's a puppybut knows he wants to be loved
gilded autumn mooncompelling the tide, the tidedares stars to followwaves rushing from shore rushingto lift the sun from the sea
first cherry blossomwithering away too soonunder the old treeHer lone footprints mark wet soilby the little pink casket
last flutter of wings'neath a circle of twelve starsas sanctions persistbald eagle feeds on monarchsto poke blood thirsty snow bear
Neat stacks of papersSteaming coffee, a pastryMere comfort objectsDistracting from aromaOf that jacket and cologne
Exit of the SunLeaves behind an empty skyTo be taken upBy beautiful silver moonAdvent of the starry night
Broken window panes...peeling paint... unhinged door framesvacant homes revealso much in decrepitudelike prosperity now lost.
holding daffodilsmuch tighter in my bouquetunder the sunsetI use again the same bluefor painting the sea and sky
clown on a tightropeleaning wildly to one sidewith red, painted grin;perilous balancing actone shaky foot at a time.
too easy to driftin this murky universe;these are strange forcesattempting to distract me,melting momentarily.
When we then departAfter too soon spent evenings,My hands are useless–Inadequate they becomeAlone without you to touch.
Before I could swim,I drowned. Underneath the waves,I saw a light shine.I thought it was heaven. Then,I realized it was you.
Lightning used to beMy worst fear, until you tookMe dancing duringThunderstorms. Now, my worst fearIs losing you to the storms.
reach for phone dailyeyes tear because you passed onappreciationmemories bring peace withinmother's love a constant gift
Your letter arriveswith news of your departure.My tears stain the page.The envelope is crisp, newbut the old stamp was priceless.
breaking this silencethe soft slap of waves on shorea shriek of seagullshow time slips through my fingersas swiftly as grains of sand
the indentationof your head on my pillowI breathe in the scentour night of wild-eyed passionleft behind on satin sheets
Velvet night sky showsvastness of the universeas my mind wondersabout man's significancetwinkling stars speak their own code.
Soft sand at the beachcushions man's weary footstepsunaware that hetreads upon the tender lifeamong the crystalline bits.
the snow falls, dustingus like candy, we look up,searching for silverlinings, but there are no clouds,nothing but us anywhere
Asphalt and concrete.Developers have conqueredAnd laid waste the land.This dandelion pressesThrough a crack in the sidewalk.
stand under sunlightlike your skin could catch firewhen gods are wakingfor this body you offer- a vessel for the divine
Curious pug thereToo big for this studioExtends his domainInto the bright balconyRailings can't hold such spirit
First LetterIts beauty is in its austerityA room so cool and plainThat one part is indistinguishableFrom what comes nextA room of utter light and beautyReply LetterOut a window one can see the oceanTranquil waves lap like thoughtsOf beauty and grace as I too watchFrom that window looking inMy thoughts become clear
First Letteryou brightened my daylike morning rays of sunshinemy heart now lighter–apart but not forgottenlonging to see you againReply Letterpleasant memoriesof meeting you last summermusic in your voice–some paths are destined to crossmy heart is all a-flutter
where were you just then?you flew away to a realmfilled with enchantment–you said you're a bad wizard;you're not anything at all.
long-legged shadowstiptoeing on pine needlesa splash of moonlightover the gorge– a swing bridgeyou and I hang suspended
old maw of the seastealing riches from upstreamanother delugeeroding faith leaves gougesmy defenseless roots laid bare
Empty cocoon shellButterfly wings freed, unfurlMy child emergesEmbracing her adult lifeTo seek out life's sweet nectar
three cypresses growwhere the water meets my homebats inhabit onean owl visits anotherthe third gives voice to the wind
orange-breasted birdwings rapidly beat the airmy camera capturesa few shots in betweenme sipping my hot tea.
I whisperthe lyrics of forever younga lovers' statuettefrozen in an embraceon this Montparnasse grave
Issue 2
Poets in this issue
- Lois Battersby1
- Lewis Baxter1
- Eric Bonholtzer1
- Colin W. Campbell1
- Charmaine Chircop2
- Tracy Davidson2
- Ana Drobot2
- David Edwards1
- Lee Evans1
- Marilyn Fleming2
- Vincent Francone1
- Susan Gentry1
- Mary Gunn1
- Robert Hansen1
- Alexandra Heep2
- Stuart Kurtz1
- Kate LaDew1
- Lily Li1
- Dennis Lowe1
- Bill Melton2
- Melissa Patterson1
- Christa Planko1
- Maryam Qureshi1
- Jackie Maugh Robinson2
- Lucy Ryan1
- Clarise Samuels3
- Nicoly Santos2
- Nells Wasilewski2