Tuesday, September 12, 2006

One Deep Breath-"Emotion" Tanka

Tanka are written in a 5-7-5-7-7 syllable structure (or short, long, short, long, long) and include a "pivotal image", contemplation and emotion. They are also more lyrical and literary than haiku.

Looking toward the sky
I see trees reaching for light
seeking to heal
as they stand tall together
helpless to change their future.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I see denial
in the joy of his smile
living through each day
remaining strong as the trees
while shining his light through me.

20 comments:

susanlavonne said...

These are so touching and candid...you always use imagery so beautifully to express your sentiments :-)

jzr said...

These are lovely, Tammy, especially the first one. The acceptance of unchangeable circumstances is tough for most of us ... but yes, the trees. just look at the trees! Thanks.

Anonymous said...

"Seeking to heal~as they stand tall together"

What a perfect line, and looking up at those trees is incredibly inspiring. No matter what the future brings, they stand strong together - just like you and Dave :)

Lovely...

Annie Jeffries said...

How beautiful Tammy. He's your tower of strength

Tabor said...

Boy, you really have a talent for this stuff! Something new for me to try.

Ian russell said...

nice imagery in the first tanka. profound and touching sentiments in the second. wonderful poems, tammy,

Helen said...

I really liked both of these. They both can really apply to my life and both of our struggles. I would like to copy theses for my inspiration book.
hugs

Madeleine said...

hmmm....such wonderful expression from you once more, Tammy.
the second one touches me deeply......very honest and open. always straight from the heart i know.

much love to ya
mad
xx

Anonymous said...

Great imagery, especially in the first,

Endment said...

You have a wonderful way with words!
Light fascinates me - you have given me more to contemplate

Amber said...

Oh.
This is beautiful...It says so much.

:)

Kayt said...

Lovely poems!! Truly beautiful :)

Thanks for stopping by my blog :)

Anonymous said...

Beautiful babe,We are like 2 old redwoods facing the storms and getting ready for the coming storms.We are strong enough to bend so we will not break..Love Dave

Anonymous said...

Tammy, these are wonderful. Such powerful images in both of them.

Mimey said...

Trees may be helpless to inluence their fate, but we are not. We can reach for light, certainly.

I've no idea what I'm trying to say here.

I liked the picture and the tanka. What is the plural of tanka?

paris parfait said...

Beautiful photos and beautiful imagery painted with your tanka, Tammy! xo

Jennifer S. said...

these are very significant to me right now, thank you for sharing. You did good.

betty said...

beautiful!! you are sooo talented

turquoise cro said...

Both of these are so beauty full!!! The second one has gone straight to my heart and i am speechless! ((((Dave&Tammy))))

DEREK said...

these pictures are so wonderful! So much beauty for a beautiful woman! Thanks for the email, my back is doing so much better. YOu are so talented.