Tanka is a poetry form which originated in Japan more than 13 centuries ago. Tanka, translated, means “short song.” It is similar to haiku in that there are specific numbers of syllables for each line of the poem and they often discuss the same topics of emotions, seasons, nature, love and sadness.

This Japanese form has five lines with 5, 7, 5, 7, and 7 syllables—31 in all.

I have three stanzas in my poem, each stanza is a tanka.

 

 

The sound of silence…

The echo of trifling fears

The voice of our soul

The relentless blaring thoughts

Does silence entail true peace?

 

The tweeting of birds

Melody of gentle breeze

The tinkling of rain

The susurration of leaves

Do we hear the nature speak?

 

Silence lifts our soul

Silence bequeaths true insight

Silence is prayer

Silence is a divine light

Silence… empowers our lives.