Contemprary Tanka Poet Mariko Kitakubo.

Tanka Cafe-theme; the Afterlife

I'd like to
believe in eternity--
one noon
beside the acacia tree
an elephant with baby

Selected Tanka

cobalt blue
was my favorite
color
until I could see it
in atomic waste

Respoinsive Tanka with Ms. Giselle Maya.
Title: "Spring and Streams"

water sound
in August drought
trickling down
to the wide roots
of the poplar     G.M.

only one
bud of hydrangea
under
the pale rainbow--
the urge to touch a small hope     M.K.

blown together
by an autumn rainstorm
we meet again
at last able to speak
of what is in our hearts     G.M.

harvest moon
in a puddle after the storm
my late friend
will be able to find this
from a cloudless sky     M.K.

beads of dew
one vermillion fruit
lingers to guard
the persimmon tree
in its circle of fallen leaves     G.M.

steaming
sushi rice decorated
by autumn leaves
grandma is still smiling
in my Japanese kitchen     M.K.

painted
with flying birds
the gilded shrine
is the dwelling of those
whose genes we carry     G.M.

breath
of the redwood trees--
thank you
for the peaceful sound
of this misty morning     M.K.

glimpsed
upon moonlit water
a skiff
of barley straw
sailing to a distant land     G.M.

nostalgia
for the incense stick
it was mom's favorite
I pray fir her
by a bamboo water pipe     M.K.

108 fires
desire dispersed
near a spring
dedicated to the spirits
of animals I have known     G.M.

a tiny drop
of the ancient ocean
our story has begun...
can you hear the lullaby
waves are still playing now     M.K.

*G.M. represents Ms. Giselle Maya, M.K.,Mariko Kitakubo.

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