W - Waka

-

 

 


The Waka is a 5-line Japanese poem which is sometimes confused with the tanka.  Both have a 5/7/5/7/7 syllable structure, however the waka's lines are arranged in a particular way.  The first 2 lines make up one piece, the second 2 lines another, then the final line can be part of the second group, or stand on its own. 

Sunlit Garden 

 

The tiny green sprouts

struggle though the hardened soil.

 

Sitting in the sun

I watch the goldfinches drink.

 

The cat jumps up for a nap.

 

©2021 Lisa Smith Nelson. All Rights Reserved

Comments

  1. A Tarkabarka HölgyApril 28, 2021 at 4:19 AM

    Once again, a form I was not familiar with. I like the suddenness in the last line :)

    The Multicolored Diary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LisaApril 28, 2021 at 10:04 AM

      A cat jumping up is sudden too! I wasn't familiar with it until looking for a W form. I think X is the only one I had to do something else with.

      Delete
  2. AllisonApril 28, 2021 at 8:50 AM

    I'd never heard of this! I love poetry with somewhat strict guidelines because otherwise I feel lost writing it.

    - Allison (https://lightningflashx.blogspot.com/)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LisaApril 28, 2021 at 10:05 AM

      That's a very good point! Having specific "rules" makes it easier for some, other like free verse.

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Untitled Golden Shovel

-
Image
 Writers' Pantry #52  https://poetsandstorytellersunited.blogspot.com/2021/01/writers-pantry-52-years-beginning.html I've been playing with some new, to me, poetry forms.  April is the Blogging from A to Z Challenge, and my plans are A-Z of poetry forms.  I like to get a head start, especially since I also participate on my other blog.   This is a Golden Shovel. It was created by Terrance Hayes, an award-winning poet and professor in New York.  https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/terrance-hayes The "rules" are: take lines, or one line, from an existing poem take each word and use it, in order, as an end word in your new poem give credit My poem uses the words from the last line of Edna St. Vincent Millay's Time Does Not Bring Relief (Sonnet II), "and so stand stricken so remembering him."             I had told him “yes” already, and it’s too late to change that now, so I let my words stand though I am stricken at the thought.   I am so cr
Read more

Untitled - a Waltmarie

-
Image
Weekly Scribblings #58  My second attempt (best not to talk about my first) at writing a Waltmarie, this week's Weekly Scribblings prompt.         Do not lack the courage To live Nor be long hesitant To love Let your wildest dreams free To soar And your imagination loose To fly Toward a future replete with Wonder ©2021 Lisa Smith Nelson. All Rights Reserved
Read more

The Morrigan

-
Image
 Weekly Scribblings #45: https://poetsandstorytellersunited.blogspot.com/2020/11/weekly-scribblings-45-artistic.html A picture prompt this week, prose or poetry inspired by one or more of three paintings.  I chose two,  'Beautiful, YOU are' by Magic Love Crow, and 'Carnival Dreams' by Shelle Kennedy. 'Carnival Dreams' by Shelle Kennedy      Beautiful, you are,      though your thoughts are dark,      and bitter.      A macabre carnival of emotion      battles in you.        The heart you wear      belies the fury      of the one that beats.        Your face tells.      Tells of suffering,      loneliness,      too much despair      in one so young.      One still hoping.      Yet not daring to hope.   Hope!   The red balloon you cling to. Hope! Straining skyward.       'Beautiful, YOU are' by Magic Love Crow Look outside the gates. Outside your grim carnival and watch the crows at sunset fly in
Read more