
WELCOME TO TANKA TUESDAY!
Lisa – The Versesmith, selected the image this week. Colleen reminds us : “we can see what’s in the photo, so write your poem using the image as an inspiration. Don’t describe what you see in the image. Think about the colors, the type of flower (aster) and the butterfly. Use your third eye to see beyond the photo, then write your poem.
Think about metaphor and allegory. Just remember to check what form you’re using. Some of the Japanese forms frown upon the use of metaphors.
I thought I would do two, cinqku. A cinqku must always have 5 lines and a perfect seventeen-syllable count. The lines typically follow a 2,3,4,6,2 format. There is no title requirement. As for syntax and diction styles, it follows the free Tanka style originally. There are no metric requirements for a cinqku poem. Additionally, the final line must contain a cinquain or kireji turn for emphasis.

Almost
As one we
Excist closely
I give you sustinence
We thrive
Orange
And Lilac
Merging beauty
Co dependant that us.
That’s life.