Tanka Writing Roundtable • Fall 2011
Dr. Randy Brooks

Woolen Scarf

by
Kendall Robison

Though I have practiced the art of tanka for three months, I have been able to see an evolution of my writing. I began unaware of the art of the "turn" found in most tanka. Through several weeks of edits and critiques from my professor and peers, I was able to grow.

i pack to leave again
i'll be gone only a day
my greatest guilt
the sad look
on your brown dog face

beautiful white wedding
private, stolen
kisses
between the groom
and the best man

ohhh . . .
who lives
in a pineapple
under the sea?
my childhood

office Christmas party
buzzed by cheap wine
suddenly sober
when I'm propositioned
by sketchy santa

sun reflects off the lake
silence echoes off the docks
i wave to a fellow runner
worries couldn't be
more miles away

christmas season
i open the greeting card
that you
forgot
to sign

dancing drops of rain
race across the window
i'm rooting
for the one
on the left