Dear Readers,
I had no intention of writing a Tanka. But I read so many GloPoWriMo/NaNoWriMo poets offering this poetic form that I got pulled in. So, thank you for the inspiration. Honestly, this is only my second attempt at it but I have to admit, trying Japanese poetic forms is always fun.
So, my Tanka is really again inspired by the hills (I am an official ambassador of the Himalayas now, I guess!) and the recent visit to my hometown. The third one is an extension of a haiku I wrote recently.
(To anyone who might not know, Burhan is the local name for the Rhododendron flower and as a child, I loved the local sharbat that was made from these flowers).
Image from Pinterest
Tanka Time
I
under the aangan tree
a red carpet
of burhans—
slurping sharbats
childhood ghosts
***
II
learning to stitch
mindful talks
for empty rooms—
laughing thrushes split open
a jungle mayhem
***
III
in the pond
a stranger flashes by
my reflection—
life
a trickling illusion
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A Hundred Quills 
‘slurping sharbats
childhood ghosts’ – lovely! Enjoyed reading your tankas
-Namratha
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Thank you, again, Namratha❤️
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Lovely tankas, Sonia! “Slurping sharbats” is such a quintessential Indian childhood memory.
“laughing thrushes split open
a jungle mayhem” such vivid imagery!
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Thank you, Punam.
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My pleasure.
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Wow!! Three at once is an absolute treat, and my favourite is the second one– ‘laughing thrushes split open/a jungle mayhem’. And now I’m sitting here resisting the urge to join this Tanka team 🤭
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Haha. I look forward to yours.
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