Saionji Shonagon
New Member
One dreamed of becoming somebody. Another remained awake and became. (Found in a fortune cookie.)
Posts: 7,240
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Post by Saionji Shonagon on Nov 1, 2010 17:27:03 GMT -5
This challenge originally premiered in 2008. Here's the concept: Write one tanka (waka)* a day for the month of November. *Resources on tanka: www.ahapoetry.com/TANKA.HTMwww.americantanka.com/www.wodefordhall.com/heianpoetryjam.htmThe spirit of this poetic form being the impermanence of this dewdrop life, no other make-ups are permitted. If you miss a day, you miss a day and as in real life, you never get it back. (You're on the honor system here....) No limits on subject matter other than any you chose to impose upon yourself. Hopefully, some moment in your day will inspire you to write about it. If you write more than one tanka a day, fine. However, you may not carry over tanka to other days. You have to write a poem on each day. (If you are inspired to "answer" someone else's poem, great. Personally, if I do so, I am not going to count it toward my daily assignment. The idea is to come up with something myself each day. What you do is up to you.) Adherence to the 5-7-5-7-7 line/syllable count is required, otherwise it's not a tanka. It's poetry, not stereo instructions. It should say something and it should make sense. No rewrites. (I know. Maybe I'm evil, but it's part of the process of practicing this form. At least for me.) If you want to share your poems, you may post them to this thread or to community.livejournal.com/tankachallenge/profile
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Saionji Shonagon
New Member
One dreamed of becoming somebody. Another remained awake and became. (Found in a fortune cookie.)
Posts: 7,240
|
Post by Saionji Shonagon on Nov 1, 2010 20:13:56 GMT -5
Boats bob at moorings, Their masts afire as the Sun sinks in the bay. Halyards chime gently as day Eases slowly into night.
(SOMEONE is out of practice.....)
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Post by crimsongriffin28 on Nov 1, 2010 20:42:36 GMT -5
Nov. 1rst In the vein of transitory things, from my morning today:
Breath mists the window In the train as rain streams down Out there gnarled tree limbs Wetly lift persimmons high Like gold lanterns, briefly seen.
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Post by crimsongriffin28 on Nov 2, 2010 8:16:52 GMT -5
Tanka # 2, Nov. 2nd
For those in the know, In Nippori Fabric Town Lies dark temptation. Oh, 200 yen linen?! Bulging bags strain my shoulders.
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Saionji Shonagon
New Member
One dreamed of becoming somebody. Another remained awake and became. (Found in a fortune cookie.)
Posts: 7,240
|
Post by Saionji Shonagon on Nov 2, 2010 12:04:37 GMT -5
11/2/10
Torrents flow, choking Ev'ry street of the city with jubilation. A mighty flood of people Greets the triumph of Giants.
(Come on. You know I had to....)
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Post by crimsongriffin28 on Nov 3, 2010 3:46:58 GMT -5
November 3rd
The chill of fall wind Has the tang of nostalgia Sloughing leaves from trees Whipping russet into cheeks Cold as the bite of apples
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Saionji Shonagon
New Member
One dreamed of becoming somebody. Another remained awake and became. (Found in a fortune cookie.)
Posts: 7,240
|
Post by Saionji Shonagon on Nov 3, 2010 17:47:44 GMT -5
11/3/10
Warm sun on my cheek Belies the evidence read In a calendar. Layered robes seem a joke but Soon will be all the fashion.
(.....really out of practice.....)
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Post by crimsongriffin28 on Nov 4, 2010 8:24:28 GMT -5
November 4rth
Messenger of gods Trickster of native folklore The joke is on you Pecking that empty bento Looking for what, o Raven?
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Saionji Shonagon
New Member
One dreamed of becoming somebody. Another remained awake and became. (Found in a fortune cookie.)
Posts: 7,240
|
Post by Saionji Shonagon on Nov 4, 2010 21:11:24 GMT -5
11/4/10
Hull up on streaked waves Of pink dawn clouds, a crescent Moon sails in silence. Soon the sun will pass by her Swamping her gunwales with light.
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Post by crimsongriffin28 on Nov 4, 2010 22:59:32 GMT -5
Nov. 5th Glossy black heads Stream away in front of me Students off to school, Jostling and bobbing ahead Unruly as a river.
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Saionji Shonagon
New Member
One dreamed of becoming somebody. Another remained awake and became. (Found in a fortune cookie.)
Posts: 7,240
|
Post by Saionji Shonagon on Nov 5, 2010 20:50:41 GMT -5
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Post by crimsongriffin28 on Nov 6, 2010 7:47:47 GMT -5
Nov 6th
A scowl incarnate Dark purple with ill humor Fuji grimly waits Protesting the season's change Hunched down under night's blanket
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Saionji Shonagon
New Member
One dreamed of becoming somebody. Another remained awake and became. (Found in a fortune cookie.)
Posts: 7,240
|
Post by Saionji Shonagon on Nov 7, 2010 20:13:52 GMT -5
11/7/10
Rain on the shingles Whispers in voices too soft To discern meaning. On such mornings it's tempting To lie and listen to them.
(I got embroiled in apartment cleaning for guests and an event and yesterday's tanka did not happen. One demerit for me!)
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Post by crimsongriffin28 on Nov 7, 2010 21:56:59 GMT -5
Nov 7th
Every sound, smell Every shaft of bright light Knife stabs the eggshell That surrounds my throbbing brain God I hate migraines.
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Post by crimsongriffin28 on Nov 7, 2010 22:05:36 GMT -5
Nov 8th
Is life just common, The normal run of being? There! Great success! Or ...Complete failure. Still, I'm stuck Walking 'itsumo dori'
<the usual road/path>
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