Category: A Tanka

There’s No Exit! (a Tanka)

It’s another hot day here in Geelong, and after our early morning walk, we have been inside avoiding the heat haze. I’ve been writing, and Frankie has been snoozing. The heat haze seems to have sent my computer into a discombobulated maze!



There’s No Exit (a Tanka)

In a daze, I gaze
At my screen full of X-Rays
My mind is ablaze
Analyzing the next phrase
There’s no exit to this maze!







.


Until Eyes Hear Sound

Lulu Books >>  Until Eyes Hear Sound (lulu.com)





Perceptions:

Amazon >>  Perceptions : Steven, Ivor, Knight, Derrick: Amazon.com.au: Books
Lulu Books >>  Perceptions (lulu.com)




Tullawalla:

Amazon >> Tullawalla A Meeting Place Where My Empty Hands are Full of Memories and Rhymes : Steven, Ivor: Amazon.com.au: Books



OR: >> You may email me directly for a signed copy at
ivorrs20@gmail.com





Ivor Steven (c) March 2025

Illuminated (a Tanka)


On Thursday evening I attended the Lowercase Poetry Open Mic night, and after the event was finished I went down the road to check out the Creative Geelong “Third Space Gallery”, which I had not seen before at night. Wow, as the saying goes, “It was lit up like a Christmas tree” …





Illuminated (a Tanka)

The neon spotlights
illuminated my words
and the art display
in the “Third Space Gallery”
like a hit show on Broadway





Ivor Steven (c) February 2025

Mudlarks Are Whimsical Duet Singers (a Tanka)

Duet Singing. Magpie-larks are one of the 200-odd species of birds around the world that are known to sing in duets. Each partner produces about one note a second, but a half-second apart, so humans find it difficult to tell that there are actually two birds singing, not one.


Over at Weekly Prompts, the Wednesday Challenge is the word Whimsical. Please visit their fabulous site by clicking on >> Here.





Mudlarks Are Whimsical Duet Singers

The Magpie Lark is
Unique to Australia
A small singing bird
With striking black and white plumes
Our sopranos of the sky






Ivor Steven (c) February 2025

It’s My Bed Too! (A Tanka, written by Frankie)






It’s My Bed Too! (a Tanka, written by Frankie)

Did you hear his spray?
“That Frankie has a bear’s share
of his here and there
whatever way he chooses
to lie his sleepy body”







.


Until Eyes Hear Sound

Lulu Books >>  Until Eyes Hear Sound (lulu.com)




Perceptions:

Amazon >>  Perceptions : Steven, Ivor, Knight, Derrick: Amazon.com.au: Books
Lulu Books >>  Perceptions (lulu.com)




Tullawalla:

Amazon >> Tullawalla A Meeting Place Where My Empty Hands are Full of Memories and Rhymes : Steven, Ivor: Amazon.com.au: Books



OR: >> You may email me directly for a signed copy at
ivorrs20@gmail.com





Ivor Steven (c) January 2025Posted

Throwback Friday, Moon Shadows (a Tanka)

There was a Full Moon earlier in the week, and appropriately I have chosen “Moon Shadows” as my ‘Throwback Friday’ poem for today’s article.






Moon Shadows (a Tanka)



Both the evening moon
And the bright afternoon moon
Decorate my room
With gray slithery shadows
That dance across my pillows






.


Until Eyes Hear Sound

Lulu Books >>  Until Eyes Hear Sound (lulu.com)




Perceptions:

Amazon >>  Perceptions : Steven, Ivor, Knight, Derrick: Amazon.com.au: Books
Lulu Books >>  Perceptions (lulu.com)



Tullawalla:

Amazon >> Tullawalla A Meeting Place Where My Empty Hands are Full of Memories and Rhymes : Steven, Ivor: Amazon.com.au: Books



OR: >> You may email me directly for a signed copy at
ivorrs20@gmail.com





Ivor Steven (c) January 2025Posted

Sweet Ladybird (a Tanka)


** Over at Weekly Prompts, the Wednesday Challenge is the word Ageism. To visit their fabulous site, please click on >> Here

** Also at Eugi’s Moonwashed Musings
>> https://amanpan.com/2025/01/14/moonwashed-weekly-prompt-writers-choice-5/

simplicity
in an uneasy world
praise unforgotten calm

Your Weekly Prompt – Any word or line in the above poem can be used for the prompt




Sweet Ladybird (a Tanka)

There on my donna
I hear a sweet ladybird
Serenading me
Coyly smiling she calmy
Invited me into bed





Ivor Steven (c) January 2025

Looking Into the Mirror (a Tanka)


My Tanka, “5” of Five
FROM: Into The Light, Sunflower Tanka, Anthology
The “Sunflower Tanka,” is an Anthology of Tanka, Tanka Prose, and Experimental Tanka, superbly compiled by Robbie Cheadle and Colleen M. Chesebro, Contributing Editors.
>> https://robbiesinspiration.wordpress.com/
>> https://colleenchesebro.org/

Amazon.com LINK

Amazon.UK.com LINK

Amazon.Australia. Amazon.com.au : Sunflower Tanka: An Anthology of Tanka, Tanka Prose, & Experimental Tanka

Looking Into the Mirror (a Tanka)

Inside the mirror
And peering out to his face
I see a blankness
Forgiveness is pretentious
As his eyes reject my light






Ivor Steven (c) December 2024