Today’s quest in Napowrimo 2026. The Tanka is an ancient Japanese poetic form. In contemporary English versions, it often takes the shape of a five-line poem with a 5 / 7 / 5 / 7 / 7 syllable-count – kind of like a haiku that decided to keep going.
Today, we’re challenged to write our own tanka – or multi-tanka poem. Theme and tone are up to us, but we should try to maintain the five-line stanza and syllable count.
I find Tankas often to be elusive and esoteric in form, so I tried to keep away from complexity and stick to a single narrative.
This was inspired by some research I did into the meaning of Victorian gravestone carvings and loss felt by many friends.
Your hourglass grew wings,
A flight so sudden and brief,
Black feathers flutter,
And their wake leaves winters grief.
Next Spring will have one less bloom.
Missives & Musings 
A poignant tanka, Graham. I love the idea of an hourglass growing wings.
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Thank you
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You’re welcome, Graham.
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you’ve got so much in here. the opening “Your hourglass grew wings,” floored me,
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In a good way I hope X
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1st April 2023 was a day of grieving for me but thankfully, 1st April 2026 is a day of new starts. Great tanka Graham. Very evocative even in it’s brevity 👏
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I’m glad to hear things are going in the right direction
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Very emotional, and a careful and considered choice of words.
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Thanks Rachel, I struggle sometimes with being concise, but this felt right
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