moon hangs
over the fields
another
miserable child conceived
for his father's bidding

a mist of soft light glows
on the far off horizon
even among friends
i am still all
alone

weights tied
to my feet
I struggle
to break free
not taken under

she casually mentions
her boyfriend…
suddenly i realize
how terribly lonely
i’ve become

top quarter champion

top half champion

bottom quarter champion

harvest moonrise
out of practice
my bones rattle
posturing my body
for your receipt

bathing
in the silver light
of the moon
i want
to come find you

this golden globe
they call a moon
is taken for granted
now I bask in it
and adorn it

the autumn air
more clear
than summer
I sit back
and breathe

top half champion

champion

bottom half champion

finding time
for tea
and the moon
shows up
too

tea ceremony
I ask
sensei
which way
the moon will rise

rabbits
pound rice
all night long
you stir green tea
with an ivory spoon

through the branches
moonlight
then a curve of moon
then the rabbit
and rabbit's friend

top quarter champion

bottom half champion

bottom quarter champion

give me
your hand
i'll hold it
summer nights
forever and ever

silent
gazing up at stars
I wonder
is your infinity
larger than mine?

willow weeps
a river
another year in the fields
before marriage
he says

weeping willow tree
I see your branches
fly free
a summer breeze
must be wonderful

harvest moonrise
out of practice
my bones rattle
posturing my body
for your receipt

silent
gazing up at stars
I wonder
is your infinity
larger than mine?

(Winner)

moon hangs
over the fields
another
miserable child conceived
for his father’s bidding

(2nd Place)

silent
gazing up at stars
I wonder
is your infinity
larger than mine

While these two really don't have much in common, I do feel there is a duality of perspective here. It feels like the first tanka's speaker is trying to catch the attention of the second. The first is basically twisting in different positions. I imagine yoga, but overall, it's a "hey, look at me" sort of attitude when combined with the second (alone, I imagine for a portrait). The second tanka's narrator, however, is busy looking up at the stars and contemplating the mysteries of the universe. Nice juxtaposition really--the first is down to earth, the second is completely disconnected from this world. I like the bones rattling in comparison with the silence--it's so quiet that you can hear the creaking of bones. Aubrie

While I love the word choice in the first tanka, the overall champion for me would probably be the second. It transcends reality and tackling with the mind-boggling concept of multiple infinities intrigues me. It also tackles a matter of perspective--how does the "I" understand infinity in comparison to the "you"? Very well done. Aubrie

The really beautiful tanka are those that conjure up an image in my head right off the bat, and this one "moon hangs" certainly brought about some dramatic images: a tired birth in the moonlight, a sea of wheat rolling in the breeze, and a sullen father contemplating the meaning of it all. I can’t relate to this poem at all but it still speaks to me. It flows so well and it almost seems like it’s straight out of a J. R. R. Tolkien novel. Jackson

What a wonderful question in "silent"! “Is your infinity larger than mine?” Despite the beauty of the poem there is still that lingering question, that lingering doubt that really makes the story of this tanka interesting and exciting. Everyone stargazes every once in a while, but how many of us really take a moment to contemplate infinity? Jackson

a mist of soft light glows
On the far off horizon
Even among friends
I am still all
Alone

Weeping willow tree
I see your branches
Fly free
A summer breeze
Must be wonderful

the autumn air
more clear
than summer
I sit back
and breathe

give me
your hand
I’ll hold it
summer nights
forever and ever

Unfortunately, I did not get around to having my family or friends complete the kukai. However, I completed the kukai and found it difficult to choose. Brianna

It’s difficult to say what I liked so much about this poem "the autumn air." First of all, I liked the fact that the autumn air is not “more clear than summer air”, but is more clear than summer itself, or so the language of the poem suggests. This comparison of autumn to summer shows an affection for the season that I found delightful. I also love the flow of the poem; it feels very organic when I read it aloud, and the last line seems perfectly placed to be read after a breath, which has a nice symbolic flavor to it. Joe

The warmth of this poem "give me" is delightful. The use of the phrase “forever and ever”, instead of simply “forever”, lends a nice emphasis to the poet’s feelings. I think the most interesting thing about this poem to me was the way that “summer nights” was inserted into what, otherwise, would have seemed like a single continuous thought. Nevertheless, the phrase seems neither out of place nor confusing. I’m not sure how the poet did this, but the overall effect is beautiful. I also find it interesting that the poem is a plea or prayer of sorts – the “other” has not yet given the poet his/her hand. Joe

the autumn air
more clear
than summer
I sit back
and breathe

silent
gazing up at stars
I wonder
is your infinity
larger than mine?

I did this matching contest with my housemates. Now it was nice that my poem, the top poem (or I believe it is mine, but I do not remember precisely whether it is or not,) made it into the final round.  The bottom poem was the winner, however.  I do like that poem quite a bit.  Although I often do not like the use of relationships in tanka (probably due to my bad luck with them,) I thought that it was well done.  And so I concede the victory gladly.  I guess I just think about weather more, and you know it's just small talk. Haha. Gordon