Japanese Poetry- Tanka style

Mar 28, 2008

“The Bamboo Grove”
wait beyond the grove
soon, I will come to meet you
rain droplets descend
a blade cannot sever rain
but, my love will withstand it...


“Adoration”
reflections of you
in a still pond below me
celestial moon...
above me makes you shimmer
like a raindrop in the sun

“Cliffside”
cloudless Sky Above
the ocean's white mist below
wind tossles high grass
sunlight makes me warm again
remembering your soft touch

“After the Rain”
a hummingbird's joy
she flies swift seeking nectar
summer rain cascades
to the most vibrant flower
she drinks after a rainstorm

“Solitude”
snow laden winter
frost covers rolling mountains
icicles on trees
redbird's morning song echoes
across the valley and stream

“Dragonfly”
wings beating faster
over a still lake in Spring
a dragonfly darts
across a wildflower field
it goes embracing the wind

“Sunflower”
reaching to the sky
draped in a golden yellow
a sunflower stands
watching lovers walking by
touched by wind she's not alone

“Once lost”
dolphin seeks her mate
under starry skies she waits
moonlight casts a glow
his call beckons her nearer
they unite, once lost, now found

“First kiss”
first place where we kissed
under the starry night sky
eyes meet lips touching
holding you tight in my arms
you are mine and I am yours

“Battlefield”
cicadas lament
across fields long forgotten
echoes of battle
on rolling hills and valleys
ghosts of the fallen march on

“From afar”
a breath of fresh air
touch of lavender in your hair
wind kisses your face
how i wish i was the breeze
forever to kiss your lips

“Inner child”
of the earth you are
sheltered by her mother's grace
only in nature
amongst goldenrod flowers
does your innerchild visit

“City Rain”
chilly autumn rain
you carry your umbrella
like an iron shield
protecting against arrows
but you are already wet

“Kauai”
white sand on your toes
radiant sun on your face
sea mist on your skin
ocean blue you dive into
spirit melding with the tide

“Dunes”
walking you and I
on lonely stretches of beach
getting lost in you
the voice of silence is key
to being able to hear

“Gates”
a gate of two hearts
opens to reveal our lives
walk strongly forward
through it paradise awaits
for the past is behind us

“Our garden”
our perfect garden
is a place where we can sit
so i can hold you
with noone else around us
only the air we breathe in

“Frozen”
freezing you in time
cherish your every movement
as your hair moves free
your smile captures me faster
as it etches in my heart

“Ribbon”
ribbon in your hair
emerald green like your eyes
tied by your father
as you play the piano
a wonderful rhapsody

“Melding”
first place our hands touched
scent of coffee on the air
we walked to the pier
stars illuminated us
our eyes danced among the night

“The bench”
lovers on a bench
sharing glances in the park
hearing the birds sing
a melody for them both
their very first kiss comes next

“Grandfather”
icy fingertips
touching berries on a branch
grandfather’s old hand
chides me to leave it alone
as icicles form beneath it

“Nature’s gift”
sunflowers are gifts
when lovers' spirits are low
shining bright toward God
watching over our bound souls
the angel of the plant world

“Alone”
only in my heart
can tears for you be felt
in my soul's sadness
how i wish i could be free
to be truly loved by you

“Marriage”
winding road ahead
the road for which we don't know
walking side by side
discovering our beauty
when we become one spirit

“Cabin”
inner peace with you
nothing but silence is here
the frost of winter
makes me want you in my arms
only our heart beats are heard

“Misty woods”
misty forest walks
along banks of crystal ponds
autumn leaves descend
an oriole builds its nest
the smell of pine in the air

“Coming of December”
green corn harvest moon
a blessing to the people
golden hues abound
brisk winds welcome its sister
while oak trees lay down their coats

“Raindroplet”
world in a raindrop
reflecting what is outside
dangling from a branch
peering with curious eyes
as it falls into my hand

“First date”
converging souls meet
nervousness pervades the room
eye to eye we talk
beginning to meld with you
wondering if you like me

Japanese Poetry style- the tanka