First day of autumn
a sunflower turns
back toward earth
have I used it well
this life . . .

10 Responses

  1. Ellen Grace Olinger Says:

    Dear Sylvia, What a beautiful tanka. On my blog earlier today, I was inspired to write about the hosta leaves resting on the ground – still green and will turn gold.

    Your last two lines add wisdom from the heart as well.

    Blessings and thank you, Ellen

  2. Dianne Says:

    precarious, the yellow leaflets
    on the stone butterfly flitter

    (ahhh, your poem is so very nice)

  3. Alan Summers Says:

    .

    First day of autumn
    a sunflower turns
    back toward earth
    have I used it well
    this life . . .

    —SYLVIA FORGES-RYAN

    Wonderful poem with a fine turn.

    Thank you,

    Alan

  4. Norman Darlington Says:

    Beautiful, Sylvia :-)

  5. haikuapprentice Says:

    Masterful tanka, Sylvia. A precise observation, then a personal reflection. I hope many more of our Tinywords readers are inspired by such an example to explore and experiment with the waka form.

    Thank you for sharing it

    Strider

  6. Massih Talebian Says:

    professionally used the Scent technique of Basho in linking the two parts of the Tanka

  7. seaviewwarrenpoint Says:

    Oh, how beautiful – and sad…

    marion

  8. Paul Heinowski Says:

    Sylvia feels the pathos of the flower. Surely there is much meaning in such perceptions. A sign of someone who is in tune with this life.

  9. freak games Says:

    great article

  10. jocuri 100 Says:

    cool writing

Leave a Reply