What is Tanka?
Tanka is a poetry form which originated in Japan more than 13 centuries ago. In its purest form, tanka poems are most commonly written as expressions of gratitude, love, or self-reflection. Suitors would send a tanka to a woman the day after a date, and she would reply in kind. These were short messages (like secret letters) expressing love, desire, meaning, or gratitude. These poems often culminated in a transcendental message.
Tanka poems do not rhyme, and they are written in short lines, like haiku. In fact, tanka poems in English generally adhere to a syllabic count. There are five syllables (onji) in the first line, seven in the second, five in the third, and seven in lines four and five (5/7/5/7/7).
Because tanka poems are meant to be given to someone, they are written from the viewpoint of the poet. That does not mean they must be written in the first person, but the poet is ever-present, always writing to express personal feelings about the subject. Tanka poems are usually one long sentence broken purposefully between all five lines.
Tanka Recipe:
Start with two lines addressing the experience of the poet, what they saw, heard, felt, tasted, smelled etc.
Add a third line (called the turn or pivot) which changes the tone of the poem. It should relate separately to the two lines above and below.
Finish with two lines which express a profound transcendental meaning that prompts reflection.
Original Source: https://tankajournal.com/what-is-tanka/
And so in respectful regard of intent and form, my offering:
Your heart is yet heard (5)
Feel I its resounding plea (7)
This a pulsing grace (5)
Remembered be your lament (7)
Savored be each breath we share. (7)
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