Thunder

Morning thunder storm

aroused from languid half-sleep

I nestled against your warmth

but found only cool crisp sheets

the thunder also passed by

Another (somewhat) about snow

The wind warned snow by

morning, white, calm, and perfect

from my bedroom window

the storm didn't look so bad

until sleet changed our forecast 

One more rumination on the underlying hazard of beautiful, pure, sacred, cherished, white... 

I did mention that tanka is almost always about relationships, right?

Snow, but ice

Brilliant and artful

the snow blankets our landscape

even careful steps find ice

upon which I slipped into

beauty and was bruised by pain.

It's been awhile and a lot has happened. 

I've been making metaphorical sketches of nature things that strike me as analogies, but haven't taken much time to flesh them out. This is one that I've been working on for a few days. 

Colorado Christmas

draping lights under
a moon shrouded by snow clouds
I ponder mountain winters
that I have never known
except in travel brochures

a mist of snow clouds
veils the moon, lights the lake with
a silvery luster
defines the darkened landscape
without making anything clear

Sept 2, 2013

I planted new flowers in August
six weeks before frost time
it seemed like the right time
the summer had dried up the spring
and it was time for fresh color in my soul



Notes: A tanka in form if not syllable count. <shrugs> Sometimes they come out this way; fast and obvious but not perfectly formed.  
August was the start of school... now the reader has context. 

Creativity education

Lately, I've been paying attention to the creative process. Since tanka has been part of it, this NPR report had particular interest this morning. A lot of what Pinsky talks about can apply specifically to tanka, but in general to anyone who writes. Poetry or not.

http://www.npr.org/2013/08/06/209256446/pinskys-singing-school-poetry-for-the-verse-averse

July 28, 2013

This Sunday morning 

soft rain intones misgivings

about today’s talk

my heart flutters in fear

and the creek is running full.