Japanese Poetry Patterns

Tanka

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Assorted Tanka by Larry Gross


his rough hands
against the dull blade
the glint of sunset
how much time do I waste
on this fleeting verse

**xanga 7/122/2004; Shiki 6/13/1997


mustard seed
between her breasts
dangling ... dangling
wondering what she said
when I wasn't listening

**Brussels Sprout, May 1994



old catcher's mitt
brushing first snow away
to find home plate
between obscure baselines
winning the game again

**Shiki, 6/3/1997; Brussels Sprout, May 1994


her ashes
into the river
as she wished
on the park bench at dusk
learning to feed pigeons

**Tanka Light, Sep 1998