Hi, folks. The first installment of my tanka series titled “A Tanka Trio (1)” is now live at Gobblers by Masticadores. Each of these installments contains three tanka (be sure to click this link to read all of them). I appreciate Editor Manuela Timofte for her graciousness in sharing this installment and I hope these small verses connect with you.
“A Tanka Trio (1)”
(c) 2021 by Michael L. Utley
(#1)
My empty heart holds
More of you than I can bear
There is no more room
For mem’ries of mountain song
Sorrow-blossoms weep for you
…..
(#2)
In chill morning air
I wake up the sun and set
The breeze in motion
Wafting heaven’s incense through
Sleeping earth and drowsing sky
You can read the rest of this tanka installment by clicking this link. Also, don’t forget to follow and subscribe to Gobblers by Masticadores, where you’ll find some wonderful writing and plenty of food for thought.
Both beautiful poems – I love the evocativeness of the second one, especially the last two lines.
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(Just clicked the link and read the third). Wonderful as always ☺️
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Thanks a bunch, and I’m super-happy you enjoyed these. I’ve got some catching up to do, and I know you’ve had some recent poetry of your own that I really enjoyed so I’ll be commenting on those pieces ASAP. Thanks as always for dropping by, my friend. 😊
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These poems are really beautiful!
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Thanks so much, Luisa. Always a pleasure to know my words resonate with you, my friend! 😊
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You are welcome, dear Mike!
It is my pleasure, 😊
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Oh, these are beautiful, Mike. Heading over.
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Many thanks, Diana. Pleased to know you enjoyed these, dear friend. 😊
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Always a pleasure.
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“Dying echoes in the dark.”
That phrasing is so captivating!
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Kindest thanks, trE. Yes, I suppose that particular line really hits home with those of us who have lost someone close to our hearts–the abject sorrow of things slowly fading away, memories dimming… Perhaps it’s part of time’s way of helping us heal, you know? Thanks as always for stopping by, my friend. I appreciate you. 😊
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You’re most welcome.
Yes, “the abject sorrow of things slowly fading away, memories dimming.”
*Sighs* exactly this. Peace and blessings, Mike.
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In chill morning airI wake up the sun and Set the breeze in motionWafting heaven’s incense Through sleeping earth and drowsing sky. What a lovely words written you. Both of beautiful written a tanka trio.
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Thank you, my dear friend! I’m so delighted you’ve visited today and left such a wonderful comment. I hope your day is a good one. Sending you a big smile from Colorado! 😊
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You are most welcome my best friend. Iam so happy to u.you like my little comment. You made my day. I always with you. God bless u! 🙏
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What a feast, my friend! 🙏
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Thank you kindly, Ashley. I truly appreciate your enthusiastic support, my friend. Means a lot to me. Here’s wishing you a happy Sunday and a grand upcoming week ahead, good sir! 🌳😊🌳
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That first one gripped me
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Thank you so much, Joanne. Truly grateful for your presence here, my friend, and for your constant support. A happy Sunday and upcoming week to you! 😊
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Stunning Mike I am going over to read the rest. It is always such a joy to read you. Such emotion in your words, tender. Sending you hugs and love. ❤️
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Thanks a bunch, Joni. So happy to see you pop by just now! I appreciate you and your support, my dear friend. Hope you enjoy the full trio over at Gobblers. 😊
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So grateful that you have a couple of monthly publications I can look forward to reading. I really do appreciate all the editors and am so grateful for Masticadores. ❤️🤗
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Mike, these tankas are beautifully evocative. The “sorrow-blossoms” from the first tanka linger with haunting sadness, the “heaven’s incense” in the second feels refreshingly serene, and the “dying echoes” in the third resonate with deep longing. Stunning work!
~David
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Thanks, David. I really appreciate your kind appraisal of these pieces. I’m beginning to feel that familiar writing itch after nine months of writer’s block. Your stalwart support means a lot to me and inspires me as well. I appreciate you, my friend. 😊
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*hug*
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Finely crafted and beautiful, Mike! A scarcity of words that offer rich imagery and depth of emotion. A true gift! Congratulations!
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Thank you so much, Peggy, for your always wonderful support. I left a reply to your comment over at Gobblers but I used the wrong reply box (not the first time that’s happened) so you probably didn’t receive a notification. *embarrassed chuckle* 😐😊
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I am often confused whether I am on your site or the publisher’s site. And often comment on both, oops. ☺️
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No worries–double comments = double fun! I have a habit of clicking on the wrong comment box on the Masticadores sites, so my responses aren’t sent to the commenter, they’re just…there. Totally my fault. I blame it on a lack of pizza. 😊🍕
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Ahh Mike its so beautiful, love it.
“My empty heart holds
More of you than I can bear” beautiful lines.
“In the depths of night
I reach through the years for you
With each passing day
Time takes you away from me
Dying echoes in the dark”
Amazingly wonderful, my friend💕
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Thank you so much, Saima. I find myself writing about one particular lost love quite often on my blog. This is one example. If this were a movie, everything would work out in the end, the girl would return and we’d ride off into the sunset together, you know? But, yeah…real-life isn’t a movie and so I write this sad poetry about someone who slipped away. Anyway, I’m so pleased you enjoyed this one, my dear friend. Your enthusiastic support is so inspiring. Thanks for being here, Saima. 😊
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Congatulations, my friend:)
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Sincere thanks, my friend. 😊
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🤣 I get that! Totally!
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These tankas are utterly sublime! ✨
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Kindest thanks, Aaysid. Truly grateful for your constant support. Hope you’re doing well and enjoying December. 😊
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wonderful tankas, Mike.. each 1️⃣💓
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Thanks, Cindy. Much appreciated, my friend!
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💗💓💗
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Stunning tanka, Mike! 👏♥️♥️
Happy Holidays, my dear friend! 😊🎄🤗
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Many thanks, Bianca. Glad to know these connected you, my friend. 😊
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It’s always a pleasure to read your poems, Mike! 😊♥️
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So beautiful!
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