Tanka Poetry

Tanka Japanese Style of Poetry

Tanka Poetry:  Tanka is an ancient style of Japanese poetry that speaks to the modern soul.  These poems date back to the 1300's. When people first discovered Tanka poetry, they realized the emotional significance by reading poems and writing their own. Tankas have 31 syllables and they have lots of expression and musicality. The Tanka is Haiku. It consists of 5 lines for a total of 31 syllables. The syllables per line are according to the pattern 5 -7 -5 - 7 - 7. 

Poetry has always been a love of mine.  My mother has written poems all of her life.  My first love of poetry came from listening to my mother's poems.  I could feel her emotion in her words.  I found that poetry allows my soul to speak in ways that express my true feelings.  The Tanka poetry is Haiku style, but allows more words/syllables.  Below is a poem I wrote in Tanka style.

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Go with me today

And hear my heart speak to you                  

With an open mind.
My beliefs, my love, my pain

They are mine alone, not yours.

I will share with you

But not give away my soul

To become what I am not.

I am me and you are you,

But love we share together.

by Steph Drake - April 25, 2012