Roundtable Collaborative Tanka (tan-renga)
Fall 2017


made of stone
encased
sitting in a corner
where the sun
once lived

Lauren & Kathryn

made of stone
encased
sitting in a corner
expensive merchandise
a legendary legacy

 


kicking legs to
get back up, a young deer
beside the road
wishing for peace
it rises

kicking legs to
get back up, a young deer
beside the road
crying out from
the destruction of it's mother

Randy & Norm


poppy fields inviting us
to consume its fragrance
the deep sleep awaits
Yes!
just what I needed

poppy field inviting us
to consume its fragrance
the deep sleep awaits
yet we carry onward
no rest for the hopeful

Norm & Hannah


the amazing look
beautiful eyes
elegant voice
Now shine on,
you crazy diamond

the amazing look
beautiful eyes
elegant voice
unaware
she is ugly inside

Bema & Norm


no one
needs me
looking back
his sweet voice like honey
was no lullaby

No one
needs me
and yet
you say
you want me

Kathryn & Hannah

no one
needs me
I am
a lost cause . . .
           survivor.

 


early morning
goodbyes
too tired to cry
shuffling across
the hospital parking lot

Hannah & Randy


3:00 am,
the witching hour
magic in the air
seeing my future
through tarot cards

Hannah & Norm


Shredding guitars
crank up the volume
Say something!
he makes beautiful music
when you're not around

Kathryn & Lauren


October chill
my eyes adjust to the night
crickets singing their song
a slight rustle in the trees
something is coming.

Norm & Hannah


© 2017, Randy Brooks • Millikin University
All rights returned to authors upon publication.