Tanka (Embracing Solitude)
Tanka25 total reviews
Comment from dragonpoet
Melissa,
What a beautiful piece of artwork you chose to illustrate your words.
I like the use of alliteration and consonace in your message that
solitude and beauty can bring on a religious air.
Congrats on placing second in the contest.
Keep writing
Joan
reply by the author on 09-Feb-2020
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Melissa,
What a beautiful piece of artwork you chose to illustrate your words.
I like the use of alliteration and consonace in your message that
solitude and beauty can bring on a religious air.
Congrats on placing second in the contest.
Keep writing
Joan
Comment Written 09-Feb-2020
reply by the author on 09-Feb-2020
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Hi Joan... thank you so much, my friend. I appreciate your thoughts on this Tanka. :)
Melissa
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You are very welcome, Melissa.
Joan
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You are very welcome, Melissa.
Joan
Comment from BeasPeas
Hi Melissa. This is a very nice tanka. Like you, I enjoy my solitude--my alone time. I just read that this poem placed in the contest. Congratulations. Marilyn
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2020
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Hi Melissa. This is a very nice tanka. Like you, I enjoy my solitude--my alone time. I just read that this poem placed in the contest. Congratulations. Marilyn
Comment Written 08-Feb-2020
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2020
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Hello Marilyn. I am delighted you enjoyed the Tanka. I really write my best when I am alone and quiet. Thanks so much.
Melissa
Comment from judiverse
Beautiful picture. You create such a quiet, peaceful scene with the words you use. The picture show's dawn's peaceful aura. We seek out places for times to enjoy the solitude and be able to contemplate in the scene's quietness. Lovely work. judi
reply by the author on 01-Feb-2020
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Beautiful picture. You create such a quiet, peaceful scene with the words you use. The picture show's dawn's peaceful aura. We seek out places for times to enjoy the solitude and be able to contemplate in the scene's quietness. Lovely work. judi
Comment Written 01-Feb-2020
reply by the author on 01-Feb-2020
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Hi Judi. I thank you, my friend, for your lovely review. So glad you liked it.
Melissa
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You're very welcome. Have a great Sunday. judi
Comment from Father Flaps
Hi Melissa
There are special places that offer us tranquility, like God made them for "me alone", or "you" alone.
Years ago, when I used to hunt deer with my uncles, there was a spot we came to one cold November day. I felt it was carved out, especially for me and the forest animals. It was always exciting to find a "rut" on the ground. The bigger the rut, the bigger the buck. He would choose his spot under the branches of a spruce or fir tree. Thus, the scent was protected from the weather longer. After he scraped away the fallen leaves and undergrowth, he'd urinate on the bare ground. Then he'd break off a twig and place it in the center of the rut. He'd make these ruts (in rutting season... usually October -November) in every corner of his territory, in hopes that a doe would come by. The doe, meanwhile, would find the rut (some were 4-5 feet in diameter). If interested in mating, she would roll through the rut, placing his scent on her body, and meander off. When Mr. Buck came by later to check if there had been any visitors, he'd notice her scent right away. He'd follow, nose to the ground, and find her.
Anyway, I'm straying from your tanka, aren't I? Anyway, this spot at the base of the ridge has always stuck in my head. Special. When I die, and if cremated, I'd like my ashes spread there. But I'd have to take my sons to the spot. I haven't been there in 35 years, but I'm sure I could find it. Someone told me not long ago, you're not allowed to spread someone's ashes about anymore. But who would know?
Anyway, "delicious solitude" would be an understatement. It's a place where you wonder if anyone has ever stepped since God created the heavens and the earth, a present just for you alone, "dawn's peaceful aura".
Very nice! Thanks for sharing. Your poem caused me to remember that day, and all the times I visited it on other hunts.
Hugs,
Kimbob
reply by the author on 01-Feb-2020
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Hi Melissa
There are special places that offer us tranquility, like God made them for "me alone", or "you" alone.
Years ago, when I used to hunt deer with my uncles, there was a spot we came to one cold November day. I felt it was carved out, especially for me and the forest animals. It was always exciting to find a "rut" on the ground. The bigger the rut, the bigger the buck. He would choose his spot under the branches of a spruce or fir tree. Thus, the scent was protected from the weather longer. After he scraped away the fallen leaves and undergrowth, he'd urinate on the bare ground. Then he'd break off a twig and place it in the center of the rut. He'd make these ruts (in rutting season... usually October -November) in every corner of his territory, in hopes that a doe would come by. The doe, meanwhile, would find the rut (some were 4-5 feet in diameter). If interested in mating, she would roll through the rut, placing his scent on her body, and meander off. When Mr. Buck came by later to check if there had been any visitors, he'd notice her scent right away. He'd follow, nose to the ground, and find her.
Anyway, I'm straying from your tanka, aren't I? Anyway, this spot at the base of the ridge has always stuck in my head. Special. When I die, and if cremated, I'd like my ashes spread there. But I'd have to take my sons to the spot. I haven't been there in 35 years, but I'm sure I could find it. Someone told me not long ago, you're not allowed to spread someone's ashes about anymore. But who would know?
Anyway, "delicious solitude" would be an understatement. It's a place where you wonder if anyone has ever stepped since God created the heavens and the earth, a present just for you alone, "dawn's peaceful aura".
Very nice! Thanks for sharing. Your poem caused me to remember that day, and all the times I visited it on other hunts.
Hugs,
Kimbob
Comment Written 01-Feb-2020
reply by the author on 01-Feb-2020
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I absolutely love your story and your recounting it to me makes me feel special. I hope you get back to your spot before too long and enjoy the feeling of .. delicious solitude.. Thank you so much KB.. dear friend!!
Melissa
Comment from Bicpen
Its still quiet voice speaks loud above the noise of busy confusion and has the tranquil blessing of a hallow god upon its splendidly written construction whereby we endeavour to peer at the conclusion to find our end and deliver our summons to be peaceful above all things ... a good write.
reply by the author on 31-Jan-2020
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Its still quiet voice speaks loud above the noise of busy confusion and has the tranquil blessing of a hallow god upon its splendidly written construction whereby we endeavour to peer at the conclusion to find our end and deliver our summons to be peaceful above all things ... a good write.
Comment Written 31-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 31-Jan-2020
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Thank you for your lovely comments, Bicpen... I am so glad you liked this Tanka!!
Melissa
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anytime ...
Comment from Y. M. Roger
Yeah.... not many others have a chance in this one with you in the mix, our talented Virginia Lady (wink, wink)!! ;) :) A beautiful tanka that checks all those 'format boxes' without the reader even knowing it because they are completely enthralled in your imagery and emotions.... wonderful, Melissa! ;) Best of luck in the contest! ;) Yvette
reply by the author on 31-Jan-2020
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Yeah.... not many others have a chance in this one with you in the mix, our talented Virginia Lady (wink, wink)!! ;) :) A beautiful tanka that checks all those 'format boxes' without the reader even knowing it because they are completely enthralled in your imagery and emotions.... wonderful, Melissa! ;) Best of luck in the contest! ;) Yvette
Comment Written 31-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 31-Jan-2020
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I am delighted you like the Tanka, Yvette. I really appreciate your comments... they encourage me. I do not know if you have posted yours yet, I will have to look through your portfolio and see... I know it will be good!
Melissa
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Ha!! I've still got three days.... who ever heard of doing one of these ahead of time....LOL!! ;) Seriously, I'm lucky to get them posted on the day they're due... when I sit down that evening and put them together! ;) :) Thanx so much for believing otherwise, Melissa - that honestly means so much to me! ;) :) Yvette
Comment from poetwatch
You have a unique way of writing, Melissa. Those classes you have taken were just a refresher course. Anyone can write a Tanka but not everyone can say something. :) This is a very good entry for the Tanka Poetry Contest.
reply by the author on 31-Jan-2020
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You have a unique way of writing, Melissa. Those classes you have taken were just a refresher course. Anyone can write a Tanka but not everyone can say something. :) This is a very good entry for the Tanka Poetry Contest.
Comment Written 30-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 31-Jan-2020
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Hi Jose, my friend, I have missed you. I am delighted you liked the Tanka and it?s meaning. Thank you so very much!!
Melissa
Comment from Joan E.
Yes, with your artwork selection and your description I found "contemplative quietness". I enjoyed your tanka and use of alliteration to intensify your message. Best wishes in the contest- Joan
reply by the author on 30-Jan-2020
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Yes, with your artwork selection and your description I found "contemplative quietness". I enjoyed your tanka and use of alliteration to intensify your message. Best wishes in the contest- Joan
Comment Written 30-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 30-Jan-2020
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Hello dear Joan. I hope you are having a good day in California... I thought of driving along Big Sur when I imagined a dawn of solitude and contemplating the ocean.... I have done that before. Thanks so much. :)
Melissa
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Oh, yes--it's easy to imagine Big Sur when reading your poem. Cheers- Joan
Comment from Mistydawn
What a breathtaking picture. The world seems so calm, serene. Your poem wow, your great word choice paints a vivid picture in the reader's mind. It calms their soul, their mind. Terrific job as always. Wish I had a six to give.
reply by the author on 30-Jan-2020
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What a breathtaking picture. The world seems so calm, serene. Your poem wow, your great word choice paints a vivid picture in the reader's mind. It calms their soul, their mind. Terrific job as always. Wish I had a six to give.
Comment Written 30-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 30-Jan-2020
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Hello there and I hope you are doing well today, Misty. I am grateful that you liked it and I appreciate your comments.
Melissa
Comment from Roxanna Andrews
Wow, what a beautiful picture and a lovely verse to go with it. I don't really know anything about Tanka but I do hope you do well in the contest. Rox
reply by the author on 30-Jan-2020
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Wow, what a beautiful picture and a lovely verse to go with it. I don't really know anything about Tanka but I do hope you do well in the contest. Rox
Comment Written 30-Jan-2020
reply by the author on 30-Jan-2020
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Hello Rox? thanks so much for your thoughts on this Tanka... the website Shadowpoetry.com has a good section on writing Japanese style verses... I learned a lot there. Thanks again!
Melissa