Just For You Poetry

in twisted snow gums
the chill alpine wind descends
off bare mountain slopes
with black feathers aflutter
a raucous crow objecting



© K R Brandli 02/11/2014

Very wild indeed Ken especially with the crows shrieking...

This is cool Ken. Tanka is not an easy style to nail down but you did it here with aplomb. The crows protest at the wind makes for a great image altogether. Well penned Ken.

Thanks folks. I call this a Tanka because it is Tanka in structure but it is not strictly Tanka because this form was traditionally a love poem. with the first three lines setting a scene and the last two switching back to capture a personal moment between the lovers. An explanation of the history and nature of the form:

Tanka’s economy and suitability for emotional expression made it ideal for intimate communication; lovers would often, after an evening spent together (often clandestinely), dash off a tanka to give to the other the next morning as a gift of gratitude.

In many ways, the tanka resembles the sonnet, certainly in terms of treatment of subject. Like the sonnet, the tanka employs a turn, known as a pivotal image, which marks the transition from the examination of an image to the examination of the personal response. This turn is located within the third line, connecting the kami-no-ku, or upper poem, with the shimo-no-ku, or lower poem.

.....parting comment. My Tanka 'Wilderswill' is truer to the form.

Thank you Ken, for explaining this...

I love the way you bring innovative imagery to this wonderful atmospheric scene

Stella wrote:Thank you Ken, for explaining this...

Here, here... superb explanation

I love the picture created. Very well done. I appreciate the explaination of the tanka too.