IN SULLEN SILENCE: A TANKA COLLECTION

Waka is a genre of Japanese poetry. Waka literally means “Japanese poem” in Japanese. The word originally encompassed a number of differing styles. The main two are tanka (literally “short poem”) and chōka (literally “long poem”), but there are others. The term waka came in time to simply imply the one sub-form tanka.


I listen one last time
to the songs of the grass and wind.
On top of the hill,
more homes are ready
to be built.

(5/26/01)

* * *

The sounds of the truck
give way to
the sounds of the crickets
as I walk
in this dark night.

(5/29/01)

* * *

I find no peace of mind
in the middle of the labyrinth.
I walk straight out,
kicking the stones
in frustration.

(6/8/01)

* * *

Pulling out
the ironing board,
I wonder why
my best friend
likes me.

(6/26/01)

* * *

The nighttime peace
is broken by the
opening and closing
of the old screen door—
my restless father.

(7/3/01)