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Having been fascinated with Japanese Haiku poetry, I have recently discovered some other, more ancient, forms. The forerunner to Haiku was Tanka, a lyrical poetry in which feelings were expressed; usually with a reference to nature, and as love poems of the nobility.
Tanka has 31 syllables and, in English, generally written in 5 lines of 5-7-5 7-7. I won't go into any other details (which I can't remember accurately enough anyway); enough to know you can express personal emotions, similes etc. on non-violent and elegant themes.

I'm putting my first, tentative ( pretty feeble), effort here first - to inspire someone else to try it.

Soul unseen yet felt -
Fragile as the Fall's last leaf
My heart still awaits
When tranquil mountains move
And stars, the heavens leave

~Makera

That's a beautiful first effort, Makera. It sounds like something you pulled from elsewhere to demonstrate. Not suggesting that you did; only a way of commenting upon it. It sounds like a lovely form for expression, as well. I guess worms for fishing aren't a good fit for this form, however ~ as if they were for Haiku, to begin with [tee-hee].

~ Lizzy

Wow, that just cured my 'stagefright'! Lovely compliment (and I thought it was probably crap ) Thank you Liz, (whew!)

Love,
Gennelle

Maybe, one day, I'll try....in the meantime, I can enjoy the words of others .

Elizabeth~
Without aesthetically attuned people to appreciate the written, visual and aural arts -- there would be no art! You contribute as much - no, more - by acknowledging and appreciating what you see and feel.
I can't sing opera, but I know a good singer from a mediocre one. I can't play the violin, but I know the great from a 'second fiddle'. If we have an 'eye' and an 'ear' for the beautiful 'fruits of the spirit', we don't have to know every technical term or esoteric detail to tell what is good, and what is not. But, that's just my opinion.

Love,
Gennelle

Hi Makera ~

I still don't make any claims to know good from bad. I do know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, however, what pleases me and what doesn't. That , I can defend and support and give many reasons why. That's all I try to do. That's all I want to do. It's not for me to say what's good and bad [with their technical implications]. However, I certainly agree with you that there must be the acknowledgers and appreciators of the beautiful "fruits of the spirit"!

~ Elizabeth

Here are some original Japanese examples of (Waka)Tanka poetry, from the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu, a compilation of 100 poems by 100 different poets, dating from the 7th - 13th century. (Haiku came into prominence in the 17th century)

Fujiwara no Kinto
Though the waterfall
Ceased its flowing long ago,
And its sound is stilled,
Yet, in name it ever flows,
And in fame may yet be heard.

Daino no Sanmi, Lady Kaitako
As Mount Arima
Sends its rustling winds across
Ina's bamboo plains,
I will be just as steadfast
And never will forget you.

The Monk Ryosen
In my loneliness
I leave my little hut.
When I look around,
Everywhere it is the same
One lone, darkening autumn eve.

Lady Murasaki Shikibu
Meeting on the path
But I cannot clearly know
If it were he,
Because the midnight moon
In a cloud had disappeared.

Emperor Sotuko
Though a swift stream is
Divided by a boulder
In its headlong flow,
Though divided, on it rushes,
And at last unites again.

The Monk Sosei
Just because she said
"In a moment I will come",
I've awaited her
Until the moon of daybreak,
In the long month, has appeared.

Abbot Jien
From the monastery
On Mount Hiei I look out
On this world of tears,
And though I am unworthy,
I shield it with my black sleeves.

~Makera

Gentle soul I see
Where hate abounds and surrounds
Emerald Isle stained red -
Stars, though fixed, like souls can move
God speed healing in their hearts.

~Makera

That's very nice of you Makera.
Thanks.............Georges

Bus I am waiting for
It will come soon;
I will get to go to the shops
For Bread
And maybe some milk

Toothy.

~ Lizzy

Makera

I just love the sound of the words in the poem, they're simply and really wor well.

Really good


Ben

Thank you, Ben!
Your comments are most appreciated.

~ Makera