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Tanka Poems | Tanka Examples

Tanka Poems. Examples of Tankas and a list of new poems in the correct poetic form and technique. Share and read short, long, best, and famous Tanka poetry while accessing rules, format, types, and a comprehensive literary definition of a Tanka.

A tanka is a form of Japanese poem consisting of five lines, the first and third composed of five syllables and the others seven, but there is more to a tanka. What is tanka in poetry (complete definition)?

Premium Member End of Haviland
end of Haviland stilled kickstands & spokes of Schwinn our teen shapely thighs after school books are returned and mind wanders down the road chill in Summer heat orange & vanilla twist creamsicle in cone the yield of sweet and tincture melting on...Read the rest...
Categories: memory,
Form: Tanka



Premium Member Flush Faced
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ lovely fire Lilly I recall when I saw you and how the light played upon your flushed face, even your shadows were beautiful ...Read the rest...
Categories: flower,
Form: Tanka
Premium Member She stereotypes all Men
Her disappointment Has outlasted her a lifetime She now hates all men Because of one awful man Stereotyping sadness ...Read the rest...
Categories: men,
Form: Tanka
Premium Member bonfire hotdog
Popping and crackling Red hot oranges with yellows Snapping at hot dogs One falls off of Johnny’s stick Mama pushes new one on ...Read the rest...
Categories: autumn,
Form: Tanka
Premium Member danger to toddler
Legos and marbles Tiny robotic pieces Danger to toddler He carries wheel in mouth Spits it out during bath time ...Read the rest...
Categories: children,
Form: Tanka



Premium Member THE MIRROR NEVER LIES?
In instances the mirror May lie mine lies presently There will be a time It will reveal TRUTHS Many will refuse, instead Only love what pleases them! VBR Black Panther! Jet Blackest Answerer! Malik Mali...Read the rest...
Categories: confidence, creation,
Form: Tanka
Yaldabaoth embellished in his shadows
Caliginous eyes Fearsome face of sickly white Lion-headed snake Embellished in his shadows With flaming orange beneath...Read the rest...
Categories: animal, color, evil, horror,
Form: Tanka
Premium Member Gunfight in Tucumcari
Dust swirls in Tucumcari, Two shadows draw at noon, Steel flashes, sharp echoes, Silence falls, one man stands, Desert sun claims the victor....Read the rest...
Categories: history,
Form: Tanka
Premium Member Dad’s Eyes
I recall Dad’s eyes; his glare so stern, so piercing - no words were needed - but the message was so clear: I expect better from you. In many matters we did not see eye-to-eye, but he always cared; and in...Read the rest...
Categories: appreciation, family,
Form: Tanka
Premium Member DIVINITY
Dive in deep ! Enjoy awakening from stupor surpassing torpor. ...Read the rest...
Categories: angel, introspection,
Form: Tanka
Premium Member Carolina Sunrise
Tides enfold first light, Golden hues seep through briny mist, Daybreak murmurs rest, Ebb and flow dance quietly, Dawn's tender overture sung....Read the rest...
Categories: beach,
Form: Tanka
Premium Member cancer is a killer
cancer survivor eight years with a clean record feeling some relief year nine is a killer year cancer takes body hostage...Read the rest...
Categories: sick,
Form: Tanka
Premium Member listening to the beach boys
sandals on my feet the beach boys' songs are playing a song melody pasadena song comes on little old lady like me...Read the rest...
Categories: music,
Form: Tanka
Premium Member shroud of clouds
hov’ring shroud of clouds only God can prune a storm levitate vortex angels release petrichor hanging sheets…mothballing hail ...Read the rest...
Categories: storm,
Form: Tanka
Premium Member clementine honey
clementine honey the buzzing bees beholding a budding lily i’m adoring audible crooning of colorful bloom ...Read the rest...
Categories: flower,
Form: Tanka

Specific Types of Tanka Poems

Read wonderful tanka poetry on the following sub-topics: art, animals, christmas, death, family, flowers, food, friendship, funny, kids, life, love, music, nature, nursery, parents, sadness, school, spring, sports, summer, war, winter and more.

Definition | What is Tanka in Poetry?


Book: Reflection on the Important Things