Tanka by Kirsty Karkow

 

 

 

green tips

of yellow crocuses

in melting snow

the sudden wistful hope

--will you return with spring?

                                    

(International Yellow Moon Literary Contest 2001 HM)

 

       


frozen pond
how it groans and moans. . .
as it cracks
I understand the pain
of opening to one's depths

(International Yellow Moon Literary Contest 2003 2nd Place)

 

where milky skies
meet the rolling ocean
familiar blues
these faded love letters
folded and unfolded

(International Yellow Moon Literary Contest HM 2003)

 

a multitude
of meadow buttercups
who could want
to take them home to fade
and wither in a vase

(The Japan Tanka Society. 7th Place 2003)

 

disregarding
our age and mileage
let us enjoy
blackbirds in the cattails
and lilac on the breeze

(Tanka Splendor Awards 2004)

 

                                                                                                                 From Hermitage  2005

 

 

                                                                my friend tells

                                                                of her husband's betrayal

                                                                on their island

                                                                wind-toppled pines lie scattered      

                                                                along the rocky shore

 

 

 

                                                                white sand beach

                                                                black-backed gulls and ospreys

                                                                ride the breeze

                                                                back and forth as if

                                                                life had no purpose

 

 

 

                                                                galeblown rain

                                                                pounds our little house

                                                                I worry

                                                                last night three pale moths        

                                                                graced the kitchen window

 

 

 

                                                                once again

                                                                careless words have hurt you.  .  .   

                                                                off balance

                                                                the red ant on a moving leaf

                                                                puts out another feeler

 

 

 

From PEACE BOOK 2005 edited by Giselle Maya

 

beyond
ice-laced windows
snow deepens
I read of solitude
and inner landscapes