Japanese poetic forms – Page 2 – Sarah Potter Writes

#Tanka 48 — Self-portrait (01)

Shadows, lines, no lies,
her age acknowledged full well;
she is where she is.
What of the child within:
that spark of rebellion?

Snail in lockdown
surveys its altered kingdom
~less consumables~
Where have those posh flowers gone?
Are the gardeners on strike?

Breathe deep. Look skyward.
Nature reclaims the airways.
Forget-me-not blue.

Vapour cLouds up high...
we scribble the world's future
with metal crayons.

In this space, my form.
Inhale ~ pause ~ exhale.
My moment, that's all.

Close by bumble-bee
locked in buzz pollination.
Its moment, that's all.

Mid-distant birds swoop
upon windwoosh air currents.
Their moment, that's all.

Far-off faux hornet,
motorcyclist races time.
His moment, that's all.

Beyond orbs, dark space.
Airless, lightless, void between.
Our moments are all.

Snail shells, ornate,
laid bare in February,
their seals intact.
Succulent shoots break cover;
gastropod heaven ascends.