a dark ruddy faceeyes shirred by the burning sunstained straw hat for shadewhite salt lines on a work shirtfarmer at peace with the world
Issue 7
40 tanka by 35 poets, from Tanka Journal’s free online edition.
Also in print
Issue 7 in paperback
This issue was printed by Prolific Press. Copies are still available in the bookstore.
Buy the paperbackEighteen years have passedan old man stands at my dooryour smile melts the yearspulling me into your armswhere we are lovers once more
branching winter froststreaks down frozen window panes -building vacated -halls once alive with voices,empty rooms warm with bodies
all fear is goneas we step onto the dockstaring out on the lakea family of minnowsswim beneath our feet
old orange tabbyhis Buddha green eyes gazingoh I know he knowswhen this life finally endsroads traveled turn back once more
first letteryour empty armchairsilent as my reveriefirelight and shadowsplaying upon mullioned panesbefore the first glimpse of dawnreply lettercoming downwith an ennui coldbroad sunbeamsbreak through heavy cloudsrain steams from my path
mud slides under icepollards finger the wet skyyour ghost-glove grips minestark willowherbs, snowing seed,promise impossible heat
Sunlight fills the backyardafter a January freeze,wind ripping the shrubs.Common starlings defy their nameshine green-black, spangled white.
The lake became the seaThe north wind striking the wavesOn our dark shoreBeating the bare branchesagainst our frozen love
During red swevendesire made him eloquentconfessing intentexistence of simple truthsour thoughts echo each other
Two planets alignblue moon playing hide and seekvisible all nightwhile the music of spheres playsinterstellar harmony
The coffin lid movesAfter many years he wakesonly to meet deathThe Earth nuked into ashes -her life-blood drained by mankind
Headstones tell storiesNames and dates and messagesSometimes nothing elseBut cut flowers can answerThe questions my grief asks here
Secrets unfoldingthe moment your eyes open- avalanche of worldsmy horizon set on firein fireflies and pulsing stars.
Watermarked by tears,a story bleeds from my heart,wrenched out unfinished --Last kiss lingers on my lipslike words that remain unsaid
Under the night’s skyGive me away to the starsA grandmother’s wish—Tell them I am there with youEach time you look to the sky
Crinkled paper heart, pressed in a childhood albumwords misty with years— a human heart strains, afraid of what might have, could have been.
Words sharp as hip bonesintentions tangled in limbswe were lovers thenI can still hear the echoesfeel the heat against my skin
cracks between floor boardscold wind-fingers slither inlogs in steel bellyrancher's near-frozen face thawswarmth starts within, moves outward
winter is honestthough gentle spring may warm usit cannot promiselife was never ours to keepwe return what we borrow
Deliberate footstepsTracing concentric circlesSeeking clarityListening to inner feelingsMeditate to nourish the soul
Sunshine warms the soilRains replenish lakes, riversClimatic changesFossil fuels, Greenhouse EffectIrreversible damage
A genuine soulWe hold hands as we're walkingThe love of my lifeI think back to when we metI'm glad I gave love a chance
Babbling brook singsBloody waters; battlefieldOde to darker days.Dark red blood stains grassy banksA new king crowned, blood stained sword
in the cold kitchenthe first coffeesip by sipyou warmed up the winterwith only a smile
I sensed your presenceLike flowers await the rainsTremble, ancient soulAll within me now anewJust as in a time before.
Yesterday I satAt that transcendental timeWhere our masks liftedour leather smiles turned to scowlswhere insomniacs wander
Blue-eyed boy of threehis sweet giggle filled the roomtill the icy pondenticingly entrapped himgrief-stricken grandma still mourns
Indian summer skyblazing crimson ImpressionsIrreversibleold sumac trees blossomingbeside dusty country roads
I’m touching the roachfeeding on my silent voice.The dancing Ash pile!She likes the wintry, braindeadfood for a celebration.
First Letter:Lantern’s cold shadowFrost sparkles muted moonlightIce melts, hearts beatWith match to cast the sparkSurely now; burn down the wallRepy:Snow swept winter plainVelvet sun draped mountain topWinds bite, Frost chillsLighthouses don’t warm, they warnShoals and sharks within its gaze
19 and hungryswollen with violet dreamsyour face drenched in lossmy heart is still your lighthouseit just wants to guide you home
cells become tissuein the womb of a womanbirthed into this worldunwillingly put on earthno one asks to be alive
DebilitatingYour love freezes me in placeUntil you decideTo toss crumbs of affectionYou are unraveling me
gnarled twisted brancheshandful of succulent pearsabandoned orchardonce tended by caring handsnow also twisted and gnarled
nor’easter’s furyblasts white across my back yardthen stops at midnightstorm’s last-gasp heard by noneplows bang to wake the undead
Wearing grey veil,Rewriting palimpsest sky,The full moon splendorBrings solace to sleep, to thinkHow crazy we all can be.
inhale peaceexhale turmoil and miserymoment by momentthe world plucks at my heartleaving scars behind
Little boats bob towards GreeceA refugee tsunamiHate, hope and chaosNo way of knowing outcomeStill the desperate set sail
Time spent on watereffects body, soul and mindsustains peacefulnesscleanses negativityleaves us thirsty, wanting more
Issue 7
Poets in this issue
- Kevin Andersen1
- Richard Anderson1
- Emily Bilman1
- Julie Center1
- Lorraine Cipriano2
- Julie Corbett1
- Suzanne Cottrell2
- Matthew Cowles1
- Sydney Crews1
- Deborah Davitt1
- Anna Maria Domburg-Sancristoforo1
- Tommasina Domel1
- Karen Edwards1
- Michael Flanagan1
- Chasity Gaines1
- Susan Gentry1
- Frank Geurrandeno1
- Shasta Hatter1
- Russell Hemmell1
- Lianne Kamp1
- MD Kerr1
- Lynda McKinney Lambert1
- Gregory Massey1
- Bill Melton2
- Hannah Ottenfeld1
- Christa Planko2
- Jackie Maugh Robinson2
- Angela Sargent1
- Larry Smith1
- Ray Spitzenberger1
- DJ Tyrer1
- Jackie Walter1
- Maggie Warren1
- Ryan Waters1
- Jackie Zedalis1