I put on a front.
But trying to freeze him out
I find, I am gone.
My heart – already melted.
Now, there is no looking back.
By Sarah ©2021
Mindlovemisery’s Menagerie, Saturday Mix – Opposing Forces 8 May 2021
Category: Tanka
Gamblor
Hitting the button.
Just once more. Will this be the
winner I chase?
Hope quickly fades. I have lost
to a demon called “Gamblor”.
By Sarah ©️2019
Mindlovemisery’s Menagerie, Saturday Mix – Lucky Dip, 10 August 2019
Saturday Mix – Lucky Dip, 10 August 2019
Welcome to the Saturday Mix – Lucky Dip, 10 August 2019!
For this week’s Lucky Dip, I have reached into my mystery bag and pulled out a Tanka. The topic is up to you!
You may be thinking to yourself, What on earth is a Tanka?
Luckily, Shadow Poetry has an explanation…
Tanka
Tanka is a classic form of Japanese poetry related to the haiku with five unrhymed lines of five, seven, five, seven, and seven syllables. (5, 7, 5, 7, 7)
Example of Tanka
Example #1:
Peaceful solitude
intrinsic to our spirit
lost in pensive thought
standing on the edge of time
the road to nowhere special.Copyright © 2002 Cheri L. Ahner
Example #2:
When things are tough and
change catches you unaware,
remember to stop.
Take time to see the beauty
in those monumental moments.By Sarah ©2018
Good luck with your ‘Lucky Dip Tanka’ –…
View original post 35 more words
An Upward Struggle
An upward struggle.
Hard to know which way is which.
Mysteriously,
it matters not whether we
live the truth or follow lies.
By Sarah ©2019
The Cave
In the ocean deep,
Shadowed spikes surround the cave.
Its yawning mouth warns
‘though filtered sun breaks through, it’s
still cold enough to break stones.
By Sarah ©2019
Kiss The Sky
Towering above
The skyscraper kissed the sky
But human folly!
Cracks slowly appear, crumbling
Chunks fall to the ground. Earthquake.
By Sarah ©2019
Mindlovemisery’s Menagerie, Saturday Mix – Unique Personality, 12 January 2019
Monumental Moments
When things are tough and
change catches you unaware,
remember to stop.
Take time to see the beauty
in those monumental moments.
By Sarah ©2018
Ramblings Of A Writer, Weekly Tanka Prompt Poetry Challenge, Week 104 – Beauty and Monument
Family
They say, you can’t choose
your family, and that much
is certainly true!
Though they drive me mad sometimes,
I can’t survive without them!
By Sarah ©2018
Ramblings Of A Writer, Weekly Tanka Prompt, Week 101 – family and survive
Ode to Elsie and the Tanka Challenge
One of my favourites,
this challenge taught me how to
Tanka with your prompts.
Celebrate your achievement –
a muse with a century!
By Sarah ©2018
Author’s Note: A BIG “thank you” to Elsie Hagley at Ramblings Of A Writer, for all your hard work coordinating the Weekly Tanka Prompt Challenge, over the last 100 weeks. Yours was one of the first prompts I participated in when I started my blogging journey in May last year. I have loved learning how to write Tanka and always looked forward to each Wednesday.
Best wishes for the future Elsie, and I look forward to staying in touch via your blog.
Weekly Tanka Prompt Poetry Challenge, Week 100 – Celebrations and Century
Natural Charm
I take up my perch.
Sit and watch the world go by.
I love to cackle,
for I’m easily amused.
All part of my natural charm.
By Sarah ©2018
Weekly Tanka Prompt, Poetry Challenge, Week 99 – Natural and Charm
Grounding
A walk through nature.
Grounding. Feet connect with earth;
air dances on skin.
Add some breathtaking scenes and
happiness flows from within.
By Sarah ©2018
Cable Bay, New Zealand – Image credits By Sarah ©
Prompt: Ramblings Of A Writer, Weekly Tanka Prompt Poetry Challenge, Week 98 – Happiness and Nature
Greenery
Adding some flavour
with bouquets of greenery.
Delcious scents waft,
and aromas fill the house.
A promise of what’s to come.
By Sarah ©2018
Prompt: Ramblings Of A Writer, Weekly Tanka Prompt Poetry Challenge, Week 97 – Bouquet and Greenery
Work Horse
Tirelessly I strive,
to ensure the very best.
Never a kind word;
overlooked for all the rest.
I’m sick of being your work horse…
So I say, “No more”.
It’s now time I walk away.
I will venture out,
stay true, and find my own way.
You will not take my sunshine.
By Sarah ©2018
Prompt: Ramblings Of A Writer, Weekly Tanka Prompt Poetry Challenge, Week 96 – Work and Horse
Places
The phases of life,
and those who walk beside us,
are reflected by
the ever changing landscape
of the places we call home.
By Sarah ©2018
Prompt: Ramblings Of A Writer, Weekly Tanka Prompt Poetry Challenge, Week 95 – Landscape and Homes
First Blush
Illuminated
by starlight, diamonds glitter
upon fallen leaves.
This attempt to romance the
moon, thwarted by dawn’s first blush.
By Sarah ©2018
Prompt: Ramblings Of A Writer, Weekly Tanka Prompt Poetry Challenge, #94 – Moon and Romance; and also, Olivante Poetry, #NaPoWriMo – Image 26
Emerald Dust
and Dorothy left
the emerald city, in the
pages of a book
all ‘t’was left was emerald dust
reminding us, “take a look”
By Sarah ©2018
Prompt: Olivante Poetry, #NaPoWriMo 2018 – Image 20
Missteps
Moon a full circle,
night predator’s watchful eye
eagerly awaits.
Unsuspecting prey missteps.
Nothing cute about its fate!
By Sarah ©2018
Prompt: Olivante Poetry, #NaPoWriMo 2018 – Image 18; and also, Ramblings Of A Writer, Weekly Tanka Prompt Poetry Challenge, Week 93 – circle and cute
Darkness of the Deep
Shimmering sunshine
glides across the peaceful blue,
masking those who lurk;
sagaciously awaiting
in the darkness of the deep.
By Sarah ©2018
Prompt: Olivante Poetry, #NaPoWriMo 2018 – Image 11; and also, Ramblings Of A Writer, Weekly Tanka Prompt Poetry Challenge, Week 92 – darkness and peace
Fearsome Lady
Highlighting her strength,
Mother Nature likes to be
a fearsome lady.
Awesome fury cautions us
that we are easily squashed.
By Sarah ©2018
Prompt: Ramblings of a Writer, Weekly Tanka Prompt Poetry Challenge, Week 91 – lady and highlights; and also, Olivante Poetry, #NaPoWriMo 2018 – Image 6
Easter Eggs
I was doing well
resisting temptations to
indulge my sweet tooth.
Then along came Easter eggs…
Chocoholic in relapse.
By Sarah ©2018
Prompt: Ramblings Of A Writer, Weekly Tanka Prompt Poetry Challenge, Week 90 – temptations and relapse
Make It Count
When departing from
this life, make the world better
than when you arrived.
Be more than a moment on
the breeze; and count for something.
By Sarah ©2018
Prompt: Ramblings Of A Writer, Weekly Tanka Prompt Poetry Challenge, Week 89 – breeze and arrived
Time
Three years you went on,
embracing old age with grace
all while missing him.
The balance has been restored –
time to be together now.
By Sarah
Prompt: Ramblings Of A Writer, Weekly Tanka Prompt Poetry Challenge, Week 88 – balance and grace; and also, Dutch Goes The Photo, Tuesday Photo Challenge, Week 100 – Time
New Life
New life for old bike
Sliding new tyres onto rims
Fresh chain is affixed
My derrière bruised and sore..
I forgot about those springs!
By Sarah ©2018
Prompt: Ramblings Of A Writer, Weekly Tanka Prompt, Poetry Challenge #87 – Spring and New Life
Telling Tales
The cards told me tales
of a future unwanted.
Was this just nonsense?
Uncertainty gripped at me.
Was I now a believer?
By Sarah ©2018
Prompt: Ramblings Of A Writer, Weekly Tanka Prompt Poetry Challenge, Week 86 – Tales and Believers
Magic
On Valentine’s Day,
Romantic thoughts carry me
a long way away.
Loving him as best I can.
It’s still magic with my man.
By Sarah ©2018
Author’s note: Dedicated to my wonderful husband this Valentine’s Day 2018. Love you to the moon and back.
Prompt: Ramblings Of A Writer, Weekly Tanka Prompt Challenge, #84 – Romantic and Magic
Snapped
A tightly coiled spring,
I know no joy, no relief
before I’m released.
Oh what marvellous freedom!
…’til I’m snapped back in my box.
By Sarah ©2018
Prompt: Ramblings Of A Writer, Weekly Tanka Prompt, Poetry Challenge #83 – Spring and Joy
Lassoed
Demanding the moon,
he lassoed it just for her.
Still, she wanted more.
So it kept him company,
lighting his heart, ’til next time.
By Sarah ©2018
Prompt: Mindlovemisery’s Menagerie, Photo Challenge #200
Trash and Treasure
cleaning out the house
full bags bursting at the seams
surprised at amount
thrown away and hopefully
my trash, another’s treasure
Prompt: Ramblings Of A Writer, Weekly Tanka Prompt Poetry Challenge, Week 82 – Treasure and Surprise
Going Somewhere?
Roadworks, traffic, go.
Park the car. Take shuttle bus.
Check in and drop bags.
Gah! Flight delayed! Transport is
an exercise in patience.
By Sarah ©2018
Prompt: Daily Post Daily Prompt – patience; and also, Ramblings Of A Writer, Weekly Tanka Prompt Poetry Challenge, Week 81 – Transport and Exercise
The Road To Hana
Cars, bikes and buses.
Winding; clinging to cliffsides.
Peaceful forest views,
showcasing nature’s wonders,
along the road to Hana.
By Sarah ©2018
Prompt: Daily Post Daily Prompt – Wonder; and also, Ramblings Of A Writer, Weekly Tanka Prompt Poetry Challenge, Week 80 – nature and peace
By Sarah 