One day I came across a small volume of poetry translated from the Japanese by Kenneth Rexroth. It was Tanka poetry. I was hooked. I guess you have figured by now that it does not take much to get me hooked. Just put some salmon eggs on a hook and I'm in the boat already before you can say "red shouldered black bird!" However, I digress. I'll try to keep a little dignity and decorum here. I mean, this is poetry, it's some serious stuff!

Tanka poetry comes from Japan. It is the oldest style of Japanese poetry, even older than Haiku poetry. And we are talking OLD here! Ancient poetry!

Tanka poetry, written in English, is comprised of five lines and 31 syllables. In the original Japanese tanka, it is traditionally one line comprised of 31 syllables. There are some poets who write Tanka with more or less than 31 syllables. After all, it is their work, and who am I to tell them they gotta conform! However, I try to conform to the 5 lines and 31 syllables. Heck, I was born in the Year of the Ram, so I just naturally go along with the rest of the flock!

Anyhoo, here are some examples of my Tanka poetry. Enjoy, then write some Tanka poetry of your own!

Oh, one other thing. I don't like to give titles to my poetry, but it is the easiest way of keeping track of them, so there ya have it.

~ Skya Wode