Tanka very much

Hello, my friends.

Today’s NaPoWriMo prompt was to write a tanka — an ancient Japanese form that in English takes the shape of a five-line poem with a 5 / 7 / 5 / 7 / 7 syllable-count. I wanted to play with tone, so I decided to write two: a more traditional nature scene and a more modern, silly take.

Thanks for reading <3

Cat in the garden

grasshopper reveals, blends again

perfect harmony,

meet dissonance — a swift jump

but broken legs in her maw

Tankas for the beautiful girlys

Is my hair OK
for the party where we will
find new places to kiss
the way the light softens you
I want to do that dance too

Is there anything
in my teeth before we leave
the table eggs toast
bacon and coffee, sweeter
than you ever make at home

What are you wearing
to call out the hulking man
who pushes you aside
to drink his embarrassment
in a shot, one gulp

Am I so crazy
if I say there is a girl
on the moon watching
how we hold each other in
high esteem — she’s smiling