Having covered haiku for the first part of this homeschool year, we’re now moving on to another form of Japanese poetry called tanka.

Tanka is close to haiku. The differences are an increased length and a longer syllable limit of 5:7:5:7:7. Unlike haiku, the final two lines can rhyme.

Here is my first rough attempt.

…..

…..

…..Flowering paths

…..This flowing river lifts boulders

…..The Way is taught.

…..Where memories forge with excited whispers

…..Rocks are built upon.

…..