A Tanka is a short, usually non-rhyming, Japanese 31-syllable poem of five lines with the middle line often pivoting to another thought. The syllables are 5, 7, 5, 7 and 7. I have taken the first word(s) and used them as a title for my own reference purposes. There are 15 Tankas below.
BODIES
bodies become dust
all earth's forms disintegrate
why place attention
on the shifting forms of shape
focus on the Formlessness
ALL LIFE
all life eats and sleeps
all life begets its species
continuation
isn't necessarily
a means to Realization
MY HEART
my heart beats faster
each time you come into view
electricity
shoots through my mind and body
all my senses on alert
FLOWERS
flowers add color
to lawns, vases and decor;
their scent infuses
stale air and hospital rooms,
calming the mind and the soul
THE WIND BLEW
the wind blew kisses
on my skin, ruffling the hairs
that many dislike
but I am all for the wind,
hair that protects and excites
TREES
trees are beautiful
dressed in spring or fall colors
but cherry blossoms
and red maple leaves fall fast
when their season transitions
CATERPILLARS MORPH
caterpillars morph
into darting butterflies
tadpoles become frogs -
what will you become when changed
from your human condition?
OH FOR A HAMMOCK
oh for a hammock
swinging on a lazy day
under a big tree -
thinking can become quite still
while watching clouds - drift - on - by
HOW'S PURGATORY
How's purgatory
for you? Not the only one -
we all live in it,
the place of imperfect peace,
where rebirth is a dead end.
THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit
works in mysterious ways
coming unannounced -
but how many long for God,
want to return to the Source?
WHO AM I?
Who am I really?
Am I a body with mind?
Not what the saints say -
the mind creates the body
the body an illusion.
NATURE
nature loves to dance
unseen beyond the mind's veil
in bright golden light -
seek to see it vibrating
in unity, harmony
THE SUN'S WARMTH
the sun's warmth fills me
inside and out with great joy,
relaxes my mind -
if only the inner sun
warmed me on cold winter days
AN OBNOXIOUS WEED
an obnoxious weed
that yellow dandelion
scattered through green lawns -
though edible, colorful
the seeds become a nuisance