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A Tanka PantoumThis form-play-exercise was created by workshop member Bill, who combined the forms Tanka and Pantoum. The Pantoum was covered in a previous Primer exercise: a poem with a pattern of repeating lines. The Tanka is a Japanese form related to Haiku. The classic form is five unrhymed lines of five, seven, five, seven, and seven syllables, producing a concentrated essence of a single event, image or mood. First Stanza: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Second Stanza 1. Repeat essence of second line previous stanza 2. 3. Repeat essence of fourth line previous stanza 4. 5. Repeat essence of fifth line previous stanza Keep going with this pattern. The Tanka must remain pure, by the guidelines you use to write Tanka. Ending Stanza 1. Repeat essence of first line previous stanza 2. Repeat second line of first stanza, word for word 3. Repeat essence of third line previous stanza 4. Repeat fourth line of first stanza, word for word 5. Repeat fifth line of first stanza, word for word The result should be a soft echo. Bill's Example Golden leaves of fall push the limits of beauty a living canvas - colors blend and flow Mona Lisa in fauna Beauty not defined branches and leaves entwine a kaleidoscope - sunlight dances with color the Lady still does smile An embrace of art painted with Autumns' breath movement in fauna - shifting to a new image Mona has taken her leave Framed in branches push the limits of beauty spill and return - colors blend and flow Mona Lisa in fauna -- Write On! -- |
