Tanka: a Japanese poem consisting of five lines, the first and third of which have five syllables and the other seven, making 31 syllables in all and giving a complete picture of an event or mood.
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Soldier’s Dilemma
Since the towers fell
I question my direction
searching for balance
With extremities grounded
I moon-gaze and think of home
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I have always loved haiku and many of it's derivative forms. So I figured I would try to challenge myself with a tanka for this week's contest. I took some liberty with the dice interpretations and combined a few of the images into single words or phrases. It was kind of necessary in order to keep within the confines of the form. I wrote this while thinking of soldiers and military people currently away from their home in response to the ongoing middle eastern conflicts. Being away from my family at the moment, I can relate to how they must feel in balancing their call to duty with their longing to return home. Please let me know your thoughts below. As always, I appreciate your comments.
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