Issue 5

41 tanka by 39 poets, from Tanka Journal’s free online edition.

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my gnawed bleached bonesscattered full transformationpredator to preyplay to the nature of thingsjump headlong into the moonTom Sacramona and Joanna Dibble

Tom Sacramona #

From my patioYour silhouette in moonlightStirring within meMemories of our first kissYesterday so close tonight

Joe Roberts #

Silent heat, heavystagnantly weighted stillnesscut by blades of air,pensive propellers whirring,a most pleasant blur of breeze.

Julie Dickson #

Alone at dawn, westood beneath the flickeringstreet light, not wantingto be seen together norto part from one another

Sandra Kolankiewicz #

luminous snowfallfeeding the ocean's wailas dusk deepenswe cannot turn backstanding at world's end

Anna Cates #

UnexpectedlyI smell the fragrant roseswafting in the breeze. I try not to wake you up, I'm supposed to be sleeping.

Bobby Aldridge #

billowing white cloudspasted to blue velvet skyrumbles of thunderglorious day surrendersblackening heavens emerge

Patricia Rossi #

baby born in silencemother leaves the hospitalcrushed under the weightof daffodils in her armsand sunlight on her forehead

Lianne Kamp #

Flirting with the crowdfrolicking in the momentdancing for her lifeleaving the crowd so dazzledwildly bright as a sunburst

Lorraine Cipriano #

birds fall from the skynothing to do about itwinds blow where they willchance meeting beneath the starsLove...everything about it

Jackie Maugh Robinson #

Yes, people sufferhere, the homeless, the Other,human scraps, bodiesof the poor multiplyingfaster than loaves and fishes.

Mary Catherine Harper #

Warm eyes and cool hairkind of heart, pure of spirit,All you desiredwas your children's happinessand quiet life. Rest in peace.

Martin Ryan #

Swirls of red-brown leaves,man and mare silent, supple.Slate hoofs clip black rock.Muscles ripple, fire-dancethrough storm-inspired tallgrass.

Dennis Maulsby #

Leaves drift aimlesslythrough field and forest alikeNovember mountainsignore thankless holidaysWe clutch them ever dearer

Kate Alsbury #

having lunch with youweak tea-strong conversationa teacup shattersyou left and never looked backwho will pick up the pieces

Nells Wasilewski #

Buried in backyard,or swept underneath the rug,closet skeletonsand living room elephants,truths needed for sanity

Susan Gentry #

The scent of the earthafter a night of rainingthe skies bright and clearas sunshine lights the new daythe world is alive again

Kristyl Gravina #

Waves carry softlyacross the treacherous deepyour midnight messagewith two lonely hearts waitingwatching a starry sky fade

James Andersen #

Chilly water runsdown Lonely Mountain Valleyswrinkled fingers touchwarm lips beneath crystal skiesmeeting in translucent pools.

James Andersen #

December's harsh smile,entrapping snow, falling hard,twinkling diamondsa crystalline wonderlandglimmering in the soft sun.

Eve Chilicas #

Rich autumn bonfireignites beneath starless skylovers' combustionheated clash spiraling smokeas passion smolders - snuffed out

Christa Planko #

The sepia pastrushes toward chrome futures;the present's a blur,between red-shift memoryand violet dawn's approach.

Deborah Davitt #

I hear morning rainwhisper softly to the earth'I will nourish you'I look up for the blessingthat will wash away my tears

Patricia Pella #

InevitableTears well, spill over, bathingYour grief, fierce and wild,In liquid sorrow, mourningYour heart's brokenheartedness.

Mary Crane Fahey #

Manifestationof abundance in all formsbeauty of goddessthe act of awakeninglike rose petals at her feet

Lorraine Cipriano #

Forsaken loversReminders scratching at heartsHoping scars will healForget the past, moving onBegin with a glance then smile

Suzanne Cottrell #

fervent sweet nothingsooze across telephone linessuch need and longingrenders the old-time handsetquite sticky against my ear

Kelly Sauvage Angel #

Calm night of winterSnowy trees standing kindlyUnder pale moonlightAre souls of the pious saintsPaying divine reverence

Maryam Qureshi #

Waves of your kissesWash over me, pressing likeThe incoming tide–Strong enough to take me down,Dragging away my resolve.

Jody Larson #

Soul-tired, my words drainedAshes fall from dusty lipsHot eyelids bore holesWe have burned another bridgeSoil settles into our wake

Angela Sargent #

Buried deep inside,hibernating for too longa warm human voiceawakens me from slumberenticing me to break free.

Sandra Wells #

First LetterLike the ocean's skinA woven tapestry liesDraped over my house –A dreamy nautical sceneWaves purring at the hearth-stoneReply LetterI drove by to seeBut heard the tiger's heartbeatPanting from behind –I tried to reach out slowlyAnd cut myself on your fang

Candice Kelsey #

First LetterDeep morning – I heardyour footsteps sounding the dark.Like a broken twigtelling softly of your flight;now my bed fills with silence.Reply LetterI became the aireither side of those footsteps –stopping of the heart,then the promise of freedom.‘Flight’ – the word is well-chosen.

Tim Kiely #

First LetterHallowed by your eyesMorning light calls forth fresh aweResplendent with love -Remembering our gazesChills then warms me with new lifeReply LetterArising from sleepThoughts fly to our first embraceHow we gazed then kissed -Will you return with me thereTo our soft private darkness?

Laurie Beringer #

First LetterYour innocent blushA sight to stir this old heartBreaking my resolveCompelled to this heinous actWhile drinking in your beautyReply LetterSeductive whispersHot breath caressing my neckIgniting my soulPromising eternityAs my life is burnt away

J.R. Bournville #

muted historydwells in caverns and treetopsmonsters and dragons–more dream than realityattempting to conquer you.

Clarise Samuels #

First LetterI saw butterflies,your hand in mine as we strolled.Clouds littered gray skies.We never noticed the rainas love bloomed under the trees.Reply LetterYour smile follows me,imprinted like tattooed ink.Cold windows reflectrain, snow, hail, lightning...and you.Umbrella ready for more.

Linda Sacco #

Skipping muntjac fawnOut of place in our small townDancing through my dreamsI worry you're easy preyBut I'm as fragile as you.

Tim Dadswell #

darling, look at youwearing your grandmother's smilelike a vintage dressheritage is a wardrobean open mouth of memory

Maddie Godfrey #

two lovers merginggently under moonlit skiesa stolen momentignites flames in their soulsonce upon a reverie

Rachel Pond #

Crimson skies glow bright,A picture of perfectionDoomed to fade away.Hopeless rays tremble in fear,As shadows consume the light.

Zach Agnew #

Issue 5