undertow tanka review issue 5
DESCRIPTION
This is a tanka and haiku JournalTRANSCRIPT
UNDERTOW TANKA REVIEW: ISSUE # 5
ISBN-13: 978-1508844181
ISBN-10: 1508844186
Contents Page: March 31th page
1. Featured Tanka …………………… 3
2. Featured Tanka Art …………………… 4
3. Tanka Sequences …………………... 5
4. Tanka Art …………………... 9
5. Tanka …………………... 16
6. Haiku/ Sequence …………………... 32
7. Editor’s Tanka …………………... 37
FEATURED TANKA
on our honeymoonto the Natchez of my birthwe find a housewhere I hear ghosts whisper...one of them me
Rebecca Drouihet, USA
Rebecca Drouilhet is a 59 year old retired registered nurse. Her haiku and tanka have appeared in numerous print and electronic magazines and journals. She won a Sakura award in 2012, and she and her husband published a book of haiku titled: Lighting a Path in the fall of 2014. She is a member of the Tanka Society of America where her work has been featured in their publication, Ribbons.
FEATURED TANKA ART
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Anne Curran, New Zealand, Angelee Deodhar: Photo
Anne Curran is from Hamilton, New Zealand. She has been writing haiku and tanka verse forms for about four years now. She has been inspired to write Japanese verse forms by excellent mentoring from editors and fellow poets. She is excited by this learning, and by the fact that she still has much to learn. She studied aspects of Japanese language and culture at University and when living in Japan. Angelee Deodhar has kindly collaborated with her to produce this tanka art.
TANKA SEQUENCE
Then and Now (Tanka Sequence)
you a silence thatspoke to me eloquentlywhen we were a smilewafting in a gentle windof maiolica flowers
I am now what Iwas then no longer: beingso gladly alivewith a deep breath and abeating heart. But that was then.
5
Margaret Saine, USA
That One (Tanka Sequence)
They are all around you and they love you so much. But there is one—ThatOne— watch out.
That One trips you up. Sends you spinning.Foul mouthpisses himself. Open the outhouse door.
You can’t stand it. That One’s raw anger. Dragon breath. Or is it you, hothead? Empty the foul trash.
That one stalkstaunts, spits. Hitsbelow the belt.I get it. His fist is my hot fear.
Dark One sulks.Farts, sneers, snares.Look out, he jeers.
Keep it to yourself. You are only me.
I turn around.That One — sick,scrawny, scared. Curl up near, be Dark to my Light.
Now on walkshe rants and raves and Isay nothing.It’s cool. I accept the Dark me.
Margaret Stetler, USA
Winter (Tanka Sequence)
an icicle freezesa single bell on the windchime….stop!do you hear the silencednote — ring out?
warm raisinsleft on the porch last nightclaw prints follow a black birdinto the snowy morning
chinese newyear of the fire mouse
7
the rat gnawsbones from garbage droppedon the frozen ground
lavender twice hit by snow I uncoveryou and yourpungent scent shocksthe late winter air
cramped pinchedi wait for the hot bloodcome late in this cold, barren winter of my fiftieth year
Margaret Stetler, USA
TANKAS FOR A CHILLY AFTERNOON (Tanka Sequence)
When the old woman climbsthis rain-slick hill,does she hear passing carsor an ocean whooshtoward distant shores?
Even as her vision fadesshe sees autumn glimmersilver, gold, and bronze.All the world's a trophyfor living so long.
A sanitation truckrumbles around the bend
with memories she threw away.Cans tumble along the curb,still heavy with wind.
Does time have fragrance?Do elderberries knowwhen they're about to fall?Why does rising smokewhisper her name?
Swirling leaves unveilrusted iron, nippled breasts.Oh to be fixed in earth,arms spread wide—onlya fire hydrant, painted red.
Jackie Craven, USA
Crone Dance (A Tanka Sequence)
they whirlin astonished bootsto the beatsof their frenzied mindsdragging bags of magic
bags filledwith goddess heartsowls frogsand shape shifting crowsthey sing out of tune
marching downthe centuries of greenchanting hymns
9
of the Morrigan black birdscareening to the moon
Carole JohnstonU.S.A.
Midnight Shadows (Tanka Sequence)
scratchy - the warpof that rose covered rugon my kneeswatching my child reflectiondark in the glass door
one nightI am three years olda magic carpetsweeps me from my cribcarries me on dark journeys
I sit cross leggedon that little carpetflying aroundthe midnight houseQueen of Shadows
Carole JohnstonU.S.A.
TANKA ART
Debbie Strange, Canada
Anne Curran poem Angelee Deodhar: Photo
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Anne Curran poem Angelee Deodhar: Photo
Anne Curran poem Angelee Deodhar: Photo
Anne Curran poem Angelee Deodhar: Photo
13
Anne Curran poem Angelee Deodhar: Photo
Anne Curran poem Angelee Deodhar: Photo
TANKA
15
moon godfloating in balmy silencea pleasant breezecradles the cry of a child...somewhere, a star dies
Arunansu Bandyopadhyay
there is a pathleadingto the cemeterythe poet findsa new road, everyday
Arunansu Bandyopadhyay
countingrosary beadswithout endlight fails to piercethe pea-souper
Arunansu Bandyopadhyay
we hold handsand look out the windowwatchingthe snow fall oneverything but us
Dave Read, Canada
a tea bag
dipped in steaming waterI can nolonger see throughwhat was just clear
Dave Read, Canada
the poem I couldn'thear in my headhas filledwith the sounds ofthe tv upstairs
Dave Read, Canada
the canopy opensto a little sunshinea momentof light on thislong dark path
Dave Read, Canada
the river flowsbeneath a sheetof iceI cannot answerhis questions of death
Dave Read, Canada
thinking Istill stand a chancethe emojithat winks atthe end of her text
17
Dave Read, Canada
the hardwood's coldagainst bare feet -I approach herwith the news shedoesn't want delivered
Dave Read, Canada
photos printedon recycled paperwe've neverbeen able tomake these moments last
Dave Read, Canada
the fullmoon fat inthe night skyI count the studson Orion's Belt
Dave Read, Canada
she comments onmy salt and pepper hairstill seeingme inblack and white
Dave Read, Canada
watchingthem sleepshe waits...
the impatience of the sun
Pat Geyer, USA
my patha slippery slope...tracingthe roots of treesnow overgrown
Pat Geyer, USA
both asleepholding handswe dream...night bringsour hearts closer
Pat Geyer, USA
betweenthunderstorms...eyes closedwe breathe everyscent of the calm
Pat Geyer, USA
a layer of snowwill erase autumn’s debrissolving a problemjust as we can surrenderour resentments with time
19
Debbie Johnson today gray, tonight whitecold front brings heavy snowquickly scenery changesred-cheeked childrenmake plans for snow day Debbie Johnson ponds arecollections of tearscried by the worldas mankind continues withon-going self-destruction Debbie Johnson snow drifts surroundbase of painted red barnresembling a scarfsprinkled with remnantsof autumn glitter Debbie Johnson
as blossoms unfolda palette of colorsbrightens our spiritswhile reflecting the opportunitiesof this new day Debbie Johnson papers of all types,shapes, colors, styles,invite us to hold onwhile we record and journal
preserving our thoughts and feelings
Debbie Johnson
new job. . . my daughter's excuse to miss going to the gym gains weight
Kala RameshPune, India
Free slave in bondageExigencies echelonLiabilitiesFerret-out refuge from all;In a state of shambles
Derrik Orndorff, USA
One you may have; In that one, let love grow wild Wild as a hot night Wild as bush fire, —cold water— Love frames come in wee pieces.
Derrik Orndorff, USA
Life’s scale, hard to keepSeeking balance within self,Continuous fight
21
To and fro, tearing at theBarriers of true and false.
Derrik Orndorff, USA
Time to get goingFeed the “late” venereal,Aspirations strong:Breast, ass, calves, and tenderness—Exhaling through the pathway.
Derrik Orndorff, USA
certain side streetstempt my curiositya bend that leadsto an unknown realmI prefer to leave unexplored
Janet Butler, USA
his friendsa flock of blackbirdsin the churchyarddark clothes glisten in a sunlightthat no longer warms his song
Janet Butler, USA
I hold toyour ghost butlike snowit melts in the hard light
of an ordinary day
Janet Butler, USA
a jacket hangssouvenir of other daysnow needingthe hands of a tailorto make it fit
Janet Butler, USA
darknesslays a heavy handpolishes dreamsto a nugget of truthwary of daylight
Janet Butler, USA
the buzzof our conversationbees testing flowersI rememberthe taste of honey
Janet Butler, USA
I trya certain perfumeat the store counterand you appear almostnear enough to touch
Janet Butler, USA
23
stars spill over the mountainI spin in the darksearching for Orionin a strange place
Carole Johnston, USA
starlings twirl above the shopping mallevery yearthis ancient flywaymesmerizes me
Carole Johnston, U.S.A. full moon pops above the roofscapeI chase it down dark alleyscamera in hand
Carole Johnston, U.S.A.
imbolc pagan midwinterfull moonwaiting for the birthAquarius child
Carole Johnston, U.S.A.
Crushed Campbell Soup canabandoned in driveway a sad Warhol relic
forfeiting its own fleetingfifteen minutes of glory
Virginia Bach Folger, USA
Ink flows from the brushsettling on the paper fannestling into foldsas we nestle togetherwriting a secret message
Virginia Bach Folger, USA
Rocks on your headstonePebbles marking time’s passageEach stone a visitSoul’s return weighted by rocksConcrete flowers that don’t bloom
David Rullo,
Lonely memoriesWalk along the river bankTiny ships afloatI pause to watch rolling wavesI pause to feel cold winds blow
David Rullo,
Alone, snow covered fieldMy voice lost in roaring windBrown leaves at my feetThis unexpected goodbyeSuch a sad, pitiful thing
25
David Rullo,
Seems something should growDespite the cold wind and snowTime should be kinderI long for nature’s green and goldBarren fields and my wet sleeves
David Rullo,
the seasonsthat come to usagain and again...the smiles of childrenamid a sea of sunflowers
Rebecca Drouilhet,USA
a black catcrosses our pathon Friday the thirteenth...feeling lucky anywaywhen I see your teasing smile
Rebecca Drouilhet,USA
the teacher's wordsa bridge across the chasm...is it a miragethis glimpse of a worldwaiting to be born
Rebecca Drouilhet,USA
amongst the ruinsa fallen christproppedagainst the void
Steve Black, UK
just enoughfor cigarettesand a scratch cardcountingmy lucky stars
Steve Black, UK
summer hazeour day in the dirtcounting carsand faceswe thought we recognized
Steve Black, UK
dying in the lightthe comediandesperateto be takenseriously
27
Steve Black, UK
the morning afterthe night beforedrunk on unfinished wineand for whatever time is left
Steve Black, UK
lovers caught in the opencounting the time lapsed between thunder and lightning
Steve Black, UK
enduringas the fallingrainher masterpiecein sidewalk chalk
Dave Read, Canada
filling outa barren treemy mind'seye looksahead to spring
Dave Read, Canada
still steamingover their fight -this morning'scoffeehot in his thermos
Dave Read, Canada
the pebblehe throws as faras he canlands with a splash onthe mountains of the moon
Dave Read, Canada
viewing herlife like a Picassothe thingsshe recognizedstrangely out of place
Dave Read, Canada
shaky onthis weathered bridge -my iPhonedies before youanswer my text
Dave Read, Canada
in the front rowof the socialstudies classthe little girlwith no friends
29
Dave Read, Canada
deleting a highpriority e-mailI hearan ambulancepassing outside
Dave Read, Canada
disappearingwith his coinhis wishfor a lifefull of riches
Dave Read, Canada
still shootingfrom the hiphis arthriticlimp growsworse with age
Dave Read, Canada
Across the PacificThe sky six thousand milesFifty years flew byMy jet black hair turned whiteYet I still long for you
Wonja Brucker, USA
I used to believeLove Is Blind until you cameNow I know the truthYou are not blind to my colorAt least you cannot blame me
Wonja Brucker, USA
Cicada's shrill --A cat dozing off in the shadeOn the pine needle crestA midday feast for helping handsFarm chores yet undone waiting
Wonja Brucker, USA
Oriental Poppies burst openFluttering their scarlet petalsIn the summer airAn outdoor family picnicAn ephemeral bliss in life
Wonja Brucker, USA
Turtles sunbathingBehind cattails in the pondPassersby watchingAlas, all those prying eyesStole the tranquility
Wonja Brucker, USA
31
Haiku
evergreens misnamedduring the winter they areeverwhites Debbie Johnson, USA country roadslined with scalloped snow driftsmeringue pie
Debbie Johnson, USA
A 4 line Ku
village weavers ...
shadows shuttle acrossthe deepening twilight
Kala RameshPune, India
exoskeleton . . . inside the dragonflynothing but air
Kala RameshPune, India
lying awake – the rush of gutters after the rain
Kala RameshPune, India
(Four line haiku)
The stars:Exclamation points!The moon:(parentheses to dream between).
Margaret Stetler, USA
Your dark mother swall-owed you and up you swelled in
33
her fat white belly
Margaret Stetler, USA
Not the tall huntress.Not what the cow jumped over.Not even green cheese.
Margaret Stetler, USA
MOROCCAN IMPRESSIONS
before everytravel there appear new dreamsthat will guide my steps
after many cloudsexcited voices greetinga splendid morning
I let fountains coolmy eyes and their ripples spur travel impatience
over the citysounds plaintive and full of praise voice of muezzins
window arches seem to dribble dissolve and meltinto stalactites
soft shimmering of
*tagelakt, luminous likebodies in the sky
the mirrors dissolveour images or perhaps keep them forever
dark doors metal chapsreflecting incandescentlight of splendid lamps
a pleasant few dayscontemplating with others the lore of the times
sun through red curtainsparadise now or deferredto a splendid meal
the muezzin chantingsomebody knocks at a doorroosters rouse the dusk
soft murmurs usherharmonious descending nightfrom behind the hills
before the bodydies hear these immortal wordsfrom a poet’s soul:
“a piece of the skyreflected in the water resemblesyour amazing eyes”
“deep inside your gazelives visible a world Iwish to inhabit”
over the city
35
sounds plaintive and full of praise the voice of muezzins
*tagelakt: interior Moroccan wall made shiny by rubbing with liquid soap after the paint has dried
Margaret Saine, USA
Debbie Strange, Canada
Editor’s Tanka
she's gone, swallowed by fire the house sealed yet held together by the dead
Sergio Ortiz, Puerto Rico
undressing him in the muted evenings of my golden years I can't remember his name... love, gone like that
Sergio Ortiz, Puerto Rico
37
were you dazzled by the same constellation?*rappelling down a pit cave there’s a blast of adrenaline
*ECHOSMITH LYRICS, "Bright"
Sergio Ortiz, Puerto Rico
bitter bullieswhose intimidationis as swiftas goose stepsin a fascist funeral
Sergio Ortiz, Puerto Rico