she loves me
I break her soul
she takes care of me
I talk to other women
she stays

Bemajedareki Williams (2)

we often teased
about “the other guy”
as it turns out
the joke's on me.
she wasn't lying.

Ben Williamson (2)

i no longer
wish to remember
those days on the couch,
forgetting that anyone else existed
but you.

Slicked jet black hair
Just enough gel
Dangling, gauges of black and gold
Leather jacket
I pine for him

remembering her smile
the day passes
thunderous noises
the breeze
so pure

Another distinctive
Feature of his
a limp
he got
when he dumped me

Kathryn Coffey (5)

coloring outside the lines
in preschool,
i never was any good.
you made sure
i never forget that.

Ben Williamson (5)

After first reading this, I wanted to know who the "you" was. I took from this, that there was/is a parent somewhere that disapproves of what they author has done with themselves in not only the past, but in the present. After reading it a second time, I felt bad for the author. I still see some type of disapproval and a possible bitterness due to this. Norm

This may be Ben’s best Tanka yet. I wonder who the ‘you’ could be referring to. Could it be a teacher, a classmate, or a parent? Whatever is chosen, it would still make for some powerful Tanka. I really like how Ben has been shaping up during this class. Kathryn

as the sun rises
another day gone
yesterday
was 6 months ago
today, 6 months begin

As I stare
at the back of his head
i can't help
but wonder
who hurt you?

Lauren Rhodes (3)

Remember that one trip
the sunset was so pure
we made love on the beach.
that wasn't you ?
Oh shit!

Norman Mears (5)

I’m not sure what else I could add to this one that I haven’t in the Kukai. I love the humor in this one, and it might make things pretty awkward between the pair of significant others. And that, in turn, can guarantee a lot of laughs. Norman really outdid himself, and I always like reading his stuff. Kathryn

I call out
to the star-studded sky
"I've always been
           here
    where are you?"

Kathryn Coffey (4)

His smile
could meet
even the coldest of shoulders
down to the last drop
she drinks to forget

Lauren Rhodes (2)

from a barrel
to the ground
apples baking in the sun
to rot
these stitches will never heal

Lauren Rhodes (4)

sun in my face
burning sands
little gusts of wind
shivery Waters
only 2 summers?

reading paragraphs
on my phone,
i pay them no mind
we were over
a long time ago

Ben Williamson (3)

I enjoyed this classmate created Tanka because it was very reminiscent of all the times I’m on tinder and or looking my best friends phone when her boyfriend texts her. Like her boyfriend will barely text her throughout the week. However, he will hear like some rumor through the grapevine then he will send her like an epic and bombard her with message upon message. In my mind who has time to read, decode, understand and respond back to that. On tinder, guys like to play like they just came upon my profile when I know damn well, we matched and talked before and that’s the exact reason why we aren’t talking right now. It’s not because we were once an item and now that’s over with. It’s just we could have been an item had they not revealed themselves to be racist and or a bigot and or a shallow mean person. I don’t know why guys bother with pleading with girls through long winded messages despite the fact the girl and whoever they are talking to is not interested. This Tanka really just spoke to me in that way. Like clearly how much more direct could we be in stating we’re not interested yet guys still try to holla at us. It baffles me all the time. Like I guess one could argue since the first line starts with the terminology reading, a part of the speaker still cares for whoever is sending the message. I would argue it could just simply be opening the message to get rid of the notification also, you don’t want to be rude and not read it. It’s impossible to read something and still not takeaway any meaning and will to contact them back. They’re not mutually exclusive. Lauren

i thought i knew
what home was
a friendly smile
a warm embrace
but then i met you

Hannah Ottenfield (2)

scrolling singles ads
seeing my wife
why is she there?
why am I here?
silence over tropical drinks

Norman Mears (4)

Tears steadily
fill the urn
for no one
what should've lasted
Didn't

i feel you
not only your hand
but your soul
it sets birds free
they sing me a sweet song

Hannah Ottenfield (2)

A coffee cup
gone now. just a water ring
its droplets
leave more of a mark
than you ever have

Lauren Rhodes (5)

like rabid dogs
we attack
feasting upon the weak
shallow faces
appearing from darkness

just a little more
i ask of you
pondering if
my voice is . . .
effective in your coma

Bemajedareki Williams (4)

distance makes
the heart grow fonder
maybe 143 miles
will do
the trick.

Hannah Ottenfield (4)

I found this tanka quite interesting. To me, it shows how the author is telling their significant other that if they want distance, then this distance will do it. It is kind of snippy at the end and I loved that. I've been in a few long distance relationship and I understand how they can be hard to deal with. Some work out, some don't. Everything works out for a reason. Norm

morning glow
her eyes
giving away her secret
love
fills her heart

Norman Mears (3)

I ask my mother
“Am I ok?”
          no
far from okay
i am unique

Bemajedareki Williams (5)

a frozen branch breaks away
eyes watch
as the hooves near
behind the invisible mask
the cold steel of death

El rayo
lluvias de abril
antes de derribe
las arañas
gracias y la vida

Lauren Rhodes (5)

snow falling
outside the window
looking from the third floor
is it possible
to love

Norman Mears (4)

Sealed
in freshness
saved for a
rAiNy DaY
that never comes

Taking hold
of my breasts
eyes shut tight
qnd for a moment
      he's there

Kathryn Coffey (3)

Pop! Pop!
Looking for fireworks
Only to find
police cars
and dead bodies

sitting at the bar
cold beer in hand
talking about sports
to the son
I finally met

Norman Mears (4)

tiger song
i wish i wasn't
so proud
so that i could say
how much i miss you

These roads
are no longer strangers to me
into the depths
i explore them
like my tongue scrapes inside of my mouth

you still wear
my old hat
while you kiss him.
a constant reminder
if only he knew what's in store

Ben Williamson (3)

The image this conjures up is one where although the speaker’s ex-girlfriend says she has moved on, a part of her might still be in love with the speaker. They continue to wear the hat and it’s not just any ole hat. Like it’s the hat, she probably stole from him to be reminded of him when he’s away at work or class. Like I’m pretty sure the speaker and she are all well aware of who’s hat that is and what message her wearing it is sending. Perhaps her new beau is just happy, she gave him a shot so he is willing to overlook her possession of that hat from an “old” flame. I like this one for that exact reason, it creates an exact image, time, place and people in my mind. It is just so visual. Lauren