Tanka Writing Roundtable • Fall 2011
Dr. Randy Brooks

Selected Tanka

by
Dr. Randy Brooks

Some new tanka written during the Fall 2011 tanka roundtable. My signature tanka for this fall:

unfolding the flesh
of a ripe pomegranate
if only
the seeds of love
were so easily released

I try
to describe
her grandma's face
wilted peonies
on the grave

a song
about being born
to fly
if only her feet
could touch the ground

teenage suicide
whispers through
the school
everyone knows
her name now

somehow death stands
slumped over
in the kitchen
trying to remember
why he is here

bacon and eggs
for my daughter
any minute now
she'll be off
to college

not a salute
just a nod
yes, I will
take care of
your little sister

bacon and eggs
over easy
when I was your age
I served trolls
wine and cheese

after church
at the restaurant
he asks for our blessing
of the word
boyfriend