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.
beautiful.. silence is beautiful and the poem is powerful..
Thanks for reading and commenting. I am glad you liked it !
your welcome 🙂
Beautiful
Thanks 🙂
beautifully composed
Thanks dear!
That’s a beautifully expressed sentiment, V! Silence does sometimes uplifts the soul like nothing else. Didn’t know what a tanka was before. Thanks (once again!) for teaching me something new about poetry.
Thanks for your lovely words as always 🙂
Beautiful tanka!
It’s always a pleasure to read your poems! 🙂
Thanks Surbhi. Your words are inspiring!
beautiful poem <3
Thanks Niyati 🙂
❤️
I agree about silence. It’s the attentiveness that lets us listen and then, perhaps later, if we have something to say, speak.
Quite true! Thanks for reading and commenting:)