Today I am presenting another poem that will be appearing in my new book “Until Eyes Hear Sound”. The Tanka is a relatively new poem format for me and “A Window Stain” which I wrote back in January 2021 was my first Tanka, and it will be the opening piece in the ‘Tanka’ section of Chapter 10. Short Poems: Haiku, Senryu, Tanka, and Others
A Window Stain, (a Tanka)
Evening tears ebb through
The window of last year’s stain
Fear closes the door
Today the pane is clearer
Tonight, the moon is brighter



Tullawalla is Available From
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Ivor Steven: email, ivorrs20@gmail.com
Amazon: search via, ‘Tullawalla by Ivor Steven’
AND
Perceptions is Now Available via:
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OR: email me directly for a signed copy – ivorrs20@gmail.com
Ivor Steven (c) September 2023

I love the opening lines.
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Thanks Dwight … a poem about coming out after a year of ‘covid’
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Bathing in the light of day!
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Yes, Leonard Cohen got it right …
“There’s a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in”
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:>)
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always hope
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Gorgeous tanka, Ivor. My favourite form after haiku. Love how it allows a little more room to play. This is a beautiful example of what can be achieved
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Thank you Ryan … I like writing them also … here is one appropriate for today’s wintry weather …
From the North (a Tanka)
Winter will not die
Nor relinquish his title
Without a cold blast
Howling over frozen bones
Of ancestors who have passed
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Perfect! How bad is this weather?!
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Too windy, cold for me … I’m staying home 🏡
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This is so heart-touching, Ivor! ❤️
It is a powerful reminder to look past the stains and know that things WILL get brighter and clearer…we must always have hope.
Thank you for sharing this again!
(((HUGS))) ❤️❤️❤️
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Ivor, what is the difference between a senryu, tanka and haiku?
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A haiku is centered around around nature
A senryu is an emotional/personal story
… both are 5 x7 x 5 syllable
A Tanka can be either about nature or a any story … with a 5 x 7 x 5 x 7 x 7 syllable count
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Thank you Ivor, you are so good at all of them🥰
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You’re welcome Arlene 💛🌏
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An excellent tanka, Ivor, and so apt! Tanka is my favorite next to haiku! 💖
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Thank You Eugenia … I love writing Tanka too 📖🤗
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You’re welcome, Ivor.
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What a fabulous image to go alongside your poem. 🙂
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Thank you Sue … from my trip to China in 2018 … a cruise up a ancient canal
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Ivor, I like this tanka, it is really good! ❤
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Thank you very much for your generous words, Carol … 😍🌏
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