How To Write A Tanka Poem With Sample Tanka

To get inspiration for the poem, you can also go for a walk outside in a natural area like a park or a garden. You can also look at nature images online to get ideas for the poem.

For example, you may write about the sadness you felt when you failed a test. Or you may write about the desire you feel for a lover or a romantic partner in your life.

“Three Haiku, Two Tanka” by Philip Appleman[4] X Research source Shells in the Sand by Gerard John Conforti Tanka poetry by Hiroko Seki[5] X Research source

Line 1: 5 syllables Line 2: 7 syllables Line 3: 5 syllables Line 4: 7 syllables Line 5: 7 syllables Tanka poems do not use any punctuation.

For example, you may have a line like, “I leapt off the apple tree” or “I began to weep. ”

For example, you may write, “Apples bruise my arms” or “Salt water stings my eyes. ”

Line 1: I leapt off the apple tree Line 2: Into the fresh water lake Line 3: I am nothing now

Line 1: I leapt off the apple tree Line 2: Into the fresh water lake Line 3: I am nothing now Line 4: Without you and your sweet look Line 5: I swallow water and try

You can also show the poem to a writing group or a poetry group, if you are part of one.

For example, you may title a tanka poem, “Tanka: Apples” or “By the Lake. ”