Poetry Play Thursday
Welcome to Poetry Play Thursday! PPT is a new meme I’ve created for those of us who’d like to try their hand at writing poetry. Every Thursday, I will post a different form of poem, explain the rules that govern it, and provide an example. I’ll also post an optional theme or subject that can be used when writing your poem. We’ll start out with some of the easier forms then move on to the more advanced. April is National Poetry Month so this should give us a good headstart!
Enough of my gabbing, let’s give it a try! Today’s poetry form is:
TANKA
Optional subject: Work
Tanka is one of the oldest forms of Japanese poetry, originating in the seventh century. The word tanka means “short song”, is 31 syllables and has a five line, 5/7/5/7/7 syllable count. Many of the greatest tanka poets were women, including Lady Murasaki Shikibu, who wrote The Tale of Genji. Some of the English writers who have written in this form are Sam Hamill, Carolyn Kizer and Amy Lowell.
LINE 1: Describe when an event happened - 5 syllables
LINE 2: Describe what happened – 7 syllables
LINE 3: Your worst fear regarding the event – 5 syllables
LINE 4: A positive outcome from the experience – 7 syllables
LINE 5: A life lesson you learned as a result of the event – 7 syllables
EXAMPLE
Saturday morning
I ran out of kitten food
Shredded manuscript
Printer fixed revisions made
Keep the cupboard stocked with chow
We hope you will consider sharing your poem with us by including it in the comments or adding your link to Mister Linky. Have fun!
~ Pamela
Tags: form, Japanese, Poetry, Poetry Play Thursday, tanka, Thursday, Writing
ooooooh–I can’t wait to try this. I’m not much of a poet, but I love your example!
Thanks, Laura! I figured if the “rules” were broken down, poetry might not be so intimidating. I’ve been intimidated anyway. Doing this was fun!
I look forward to reading your poem if you share it.
Here is a description of our experience with my daughter’s last fundraiser for a Yew York trip:
Seven days ago
an idea to help her
led to disaster
but the money was returned
I’ll keep it myself next time
Hi, Bonnie! Awesome poem! I’m curious about this idea.
Thanks for playing!
Here’s my take
Menstrual cramps today.
Holy crap insides feuding-
They almost fell out!
Hydrocodone will save me.
Always refill prescription.
Here’s my try!
Menstrual cramps today.
Holy crap insides feuding-
They almost fell out!
Hydrocodone will save me.
Always refill prescription.
A memory from my middle school years:
Junior high concert
Solo performance that night
Can’t reach microphone
Conductor helps me save face
The show must always go on
Side note: That same conductor/music teacher introduced me to Madeleine L’engle and The Lord of the Rings.
Pamela, fantastic tanka! You must have a lovely voice to score a solo. It sounds like your music teacher was pretty cool!
Thank you for sharing your poem!
Thank you! Although I’ll admit I hit the dictionary a few times to make sure those syllables were correct.
I’m going with the optional subject of “work”
Arrived at my job
Stood there for almost two hours
Maybe we’ll get busy
At least I’ll have time to think
People have no wish to shop
Excellent poem, Rudi! Thank you so much for sharing it with us (and supporting your wife in her crazy endeavors!). A little down time on the job isn’t always a bad thing but let’s hope people start shopping soon!
Lucy, your tanka is AWESOME and an excellent reminder! lol! Thanks for sharing it with us. I hope you’ll try this week’s poetry form, too!
Thank you for posting about Poetry Play Thursday on your blog!
(I’m sorry it took so long to respond; your comment was mistakenly in our spam.)
Oh, thanks Pamela. I was all afraid I offended you by writing about the curse-that-shall-not-be-named