Autumn tanka challenge

[Saionji Shonagon]

It's getting to be that time!
Here's the concept:
Write one tanka (waka)* a day for the month of November.

*Resources on tanka:
www.ahapoetry.com/TANKA.HTM
www.americantanka.com/
www.wodefordhall.com/heianpoetryjam.htm

The 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, 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.
This challenge originally premiered in 2008.

Good luck everyone!

[Deleted]

I call this tanka, "Stereo Instructions".

Press power button.
Press "Tray Open/Close" button.
Place disc in disc tray.
Press "Tray Open/Close" button.
Press "Play" button to play disc.

[Saionji Shonagon]

11/1/13

Cresting a hillside,
I could cup it in my hands.
My reach is too short.
The golden teacup moon seems
Caught in a web of branches.

For Griffin Garrett of the Barony of Winter's Gate, who took me on a quest for the aurora borealis last Friday night. A spectacular moonrise more than made up for no auroral display.

[Please Delete]

1 Nov 2013

Fires are burning
In anticipation of
Friendly company
Morning rains have now yielded
To the golden autumn sun.

*Getting ready for game night

@ishiyama-dono: I love it!
Saionji Shonagon: I wish I could have been there. Too bad about the Aurora. I hope to take abe up hunting for the northern lights some day.

[Saionji Shonagon]

Nov 1, 2013 15:53:38 GMT -5 Please Delete said:

1 Nov 2013
Saionji Shonagon: I wish I could have been there. Too bad about the Aurora. I hope to take abe up hunting for the northern lights some day.

People too numerous to remember send their fond regards to "EE." And honestly, that moon and the un-light-polluted sky made up for not seeing the Aurora. It was an absolutely delightful trip.

[akikonomu]

Well, my first attempt to post a Tanka seems to have failed. Phooey.

Here is my first entry in the Autumn Tanka Challenge

It is called Mount Rainier at Sunset

Above the foothills,
the Great Mountain rises up
gilded by the sun.
One face glows with golden light
the other hides in shadows.

I was inspired by Saionji-san's Challenge last November, to do a A&S 50 Waka Challenge. This entry makes #47.

Akikonomu

[Deleted]

One sleeps quite badly
when the concerns of the week
weight and worry you.
How wonderful the week's end
and its different problems.

[Please Delete]

2 Nov 2013

Gently autumn winds
toss the gold and crimson leaves
across the landscape,
in tumultuous flurries
they presage the winter snows.

*Just thinking about Autumn. The changing leaves are always beautiful this time of year.

[Saionji Shonagon]

11/2/13

The maple out front
Still defies the season with
Sleeves still mostly green.
Only a few flecks of red
Hint at what is yet to come.

[akikonomu]

11/2/13

High winds come roaring
in on the wings of the storm.
Fir limbs crack and groan.
Needles fall like heavy rain.
Winter storm season is here.

[Deleted]

"Ode to a Feast Component"

O, little cakes of
egg and cheese so warm and soft,
why must you be but
one item on this menu
and not the feast entire.

[Saionji Shonagon]

11/3/13

An old song plays on
Within a fragment of dream
Unheard by others.
Who was I dancing with then
Beneath the breath of the stars?

[Kagami Tomoko]

November 3, 2013

Greetings! Come in! Drink!
Now is the season for mugs,
Together they sing,
Raised high and filled with sunlight.
“To the spoils of Autumn!”

*A toast raised in celebration! While it might have only been cider, the sentiment is all the same. It is only when it is cold that we truly appreciate warmth.

[Deleted]

Even following
lines on the fabric with a
paint filled brush can be
a taste of what it must feel
like to be a true artist.

[Saionji Shonagon]

11/4/13

As the days shorten
The light seems to lean sharply,
Eager for sunset.
Fooled by warm breezes, the trees
Seem heedless of winter's fate.