~~~~~~
dead metaphors, like
those dead poets who witter on:
loyal treachery and
melancholy merriment
want some affordable caviar?
such a nonsense poem
pretty dreadful I would say
so anything else?
tortuous spontaneity
that’s a nice one, isn’t it.
those dead poets are
buried in Poets’ Corner
shall we have a look?
~~~~~
For Colleen Chesebro’s TankaTuesday #47 – 13 January 2026 where this week’s host Robbie Cheadle’s invitation is to ‘choose an oxymoron and write a syllabic poem to demonstrate its meaning.’
luna's on line 
I love the way you wove this together!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks a lot, V!
LikeLiked by 1 person
words and letters
prose terse
and or verbose
may live on indeed
as a litany
LikeLiked by 1 person
Verses and posts seem to live for ever in those clouds!
LikeLike
Ooh, excellent phrases Chris 🫶🏼👍🏼
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much, Sadje 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re very welcome 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
And…the poets should have the metaphors thrown in the poets corner too. You could stand on a pedestal to tell this tale Chris.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Tee-hee, that would be fun – thanks for that, Darnell.
p.s. a problem, I’m thinking… I read your recent post and I wrote back to you, but it seems to have gone to spam. This is what I said: Good fun and interesting too, Darnell. This second chapter about Social Media… it could run and run, I’d say!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Chris. The spam bots got you. I should do a story about the little rascals!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a good idea! Can you rescue me from spam though? 🙃 Like a hook? 🎣
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is quite compelling, Chris!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aha! An almost good metaphor, but a bad oxymoron nevertheless, Dave (I think).
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love “tortuous spontaneity”! I’m going to have to remember it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent! Do use it freely…
LikeLiked by 1 person
With proper attribution, of course!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😂🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the turn of phrase! So much fun!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad that you enjoyed it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think we should have a look, Chris, … spontaneity compels, ….💙
LikeLiked by 1 person
Okay, off we go to the big city – to Westminster Abbey… should be fun! ⛪
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m with you. Chris, …let’s enjoy the famous Abbey together, …( I’ve packed a picnic basket) … 💙
LikeLiked by 1 person
Perfect!! 🥪🍰
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am not a poet, nor is the muse within me particularly poetic. However, I can recognise rubbish words!! 🙃😉🥰
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, you certainly have many wonderful phrases and posts, dear Aladin – a little wink for that! 😉💛😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Definately
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very well written
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Adarsh.
LikeLiked by 1 person
After reading this, I’m sure there’s a place saved for you in poets corner!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very gracious as you say (small giggle). Thanks so much, Keith.
LikeLike
I’ve been to poet’s corner but didn’t really take it in at the time. Definitely on my to-be-revisited list.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would say so… so interesting!
LikeLike
affordable caviar? That’s a new one for me – and funny too.
I like the whole poem!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad that you enjoyed that… lots of fun!
LikeLike
Great poem, and I like the image.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much, Cale!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re very welcome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I could never do these challenges. You always find such a unique way to weave the words together to make something truly unique! xxxxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a lovely thing to say, Jean. Thanks so much – I’m very happy! xxxxx
LikeLike
How you weaved the oxymoron into poetry. Loyal treachery and melancholic merriment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such lovely words, I would say! Thanks, Geeta.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A most interesting commentary about dead poets, Chris. I believe I’m glad I’m not among them in this instance 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really enjoyed your oxymoron challenge last week, Robbie. I did try to post on Tanka Tuesday but I think spam did it again. But this is what I said:
Hi Robbie, loved your poem. How very useful to use so many oxymorons! Also, I have been to de Hoop – lovely place. We stayed there for several days, what fun it was.
LikeLike
Hi Chris, I’ll check spam again. Thank you for this comment. De Hoop is on my list of places to visit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Robbie.
LikeLike
💓
LikeLiked by 1 person