We never know when inspiration comes nor do we know from where it might come. Sometimes it comes in friendship and love of words. I have had the pleasure of working with a very dear friend of mine on a collaborative effort in the writing of tanka. These pieces are a result of this collaboration and both E.W. Richardson and myself hope to see this project to book form. On a personal note... thank you E. for sharing with me your love of tanka and your friendship.

Tanka 01

Seeing conjunctions
Of our invisible breath
In moments of time
Old photographs in albums
And pictures not yet taken

~~~

Tanka 02

A wilting lily
Remembering leaves unfurled
The hum of the bee
And their springtime rendezvous
Now lost to changing seasons

~~~

Tanka 03

Whispers scent the air
Rising from warm tangled sheets
An intimate tryst
Outside a winter landscape
Inside it’s a summers dream

~~~

Tanka 04

Unfolding petals
Hesitant and shy, innocence
Veiled, looking to sky
Treasuring night's dampened embrace
Seeking glory that comes with morn

~~~

Tanka 05

Summer fantasy
Breathing one another’s air
The mountain and sea
Embrace, becoming one sigh
Whispering to the distant skies


© mdbadgerow & ewrichardson 2008