Tag Archives: Tanka

roil dark water

Posted on January 20, 2023 by istsfor manity

Dark Water Tanka (redux) Lower the lifeboats—We tread nose-deep in the plague—Lifelines beyond us.We roil dark water and sink.The mermaids sing for no one. What I’m Reading: “To call your father and say, I’d forgotten how nice everyone in these … Continue reading →

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thirsty and eyeless

Posted on December 26, 2022 by istsfor manity

Vulture Peak Tanka That arid seasonTranspired on vulture peak—Thirsty and eyeless—I roamed around the mountainHere, there, nowhere—all at once. What I’m Reading: “It’s a beautiful day to tell my mother I once aspired to kill myself…” — Julian Randall / … Continue reading →

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the tuna satsuma

Posted on December 16, 2022 by istsfor manity

damn yam man he’s the damn yam man—dire—gets worse by the dazea comma swiper, a foothold grifter:schemes the pearl butterflies& dark alley luresweighs the buttercup thesisagainst his peppercorn life he screams of unexpiredroentgen megatons—names his fireflies by heart he’s the … Continue reading →

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why belligerent robots

Posted on November 30, 2022 by istsfor manity

Aural Disjecta Dream-Fu(Haiku/Ukiah/Tanka) Headful of childhoodDisjecta—jingles, and tripe—Where is the off switch? His white man savior complex—Why Marlin Perkins?Why Animal Kingdom, why? Why Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em?Why belligerent robots?Rub-a-Dub Dolly?Why can’t I turn-off my head? Maybe, I’ll get back in … Continue reading →

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i was downgraded

Posted on October 19, 2022 by istsfor manity

Tardigrade Dream Ukiah Haiku Tanka Fu Dreams from another planet—I was downgraded.I’m an ancient tardigrade: Eyeless and armored,Yet kind (harmless to humans),Parthenogenic, Sharp-clawed and faceless.(Only a mother would love)…I am my mother!I float like a bathysphereThrough an ocean of pale … Continue reading →

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red tattered cloth

Posted on October 15, 2022 by istsfor manity

cinders tanka four or five bricks heapedthe remnants of your burnt heartha red tattered cloththe cold cinders of your lifemonticules wind-blown away What I’m Reading: “i dreamt i was a pinnacle of coral.” — Bernadette Mayer / “Unconditional Death Is … Continue reading →

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lost time incarnate

Posted on October 12, 2022 by istsfor manity

Missing Tanka Dreamt of my fatherLast night—lost—time incarnate A winding riverA hidden oxbow downstreamHe went missing round the bend What I’m Reading: “The trees are half air. They fissure the sky; you / could count the leaves, pare / time…” … Continue reading →

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i’ll dress frogs

Posted on October 7, 2022 by istsfor manity

Disturbing Slacker Tanka I’m watching paint dry—should be doing something else.What else can I do?I’ll dress frogs in Sunday lace.What’s disturbing about that? What I’m Reading: “If a poem is easy for me to write, I know I’m not trying … Continue reading →

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we’ll float away

Posted on October 1, 2022 by istsfor manity

Endgame Countenance Tanka Two ice-adjutantsCount and wait for the melting—Then we’ll float away.The elision of reasonAs the desperation grows. What I’m Reading: “But beating back a pipeline is always a good day’s work.” — Bill McKibben / “Score it a … Continue reading →

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a kiss under

Posted on September 17, 2022 by istsfor manity

Two Butcher Boys at Division Point (Tanka) Revenge parable:A dispute careens off-track—Shattered eyeglassesBlind and brambled in the weeds.A kiss under the blood moon. What I’m Listening To: “Hope is a muscleThat allows us to connect” —Bjork / “Atopos”

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