Category: #TankaTuesday

Just a window

Chris Hall49 Comments

my photo – rather strange

the small pond glistened
some tiny birds winged away
I smiled at the crane
since I felt so blissful then
let me think some more nice thoughts

I smelled the coffee
and I continued to drink
looking at the sky
I suddenly saw my hands
I felt so very alive

~~~~~
~~~

Melissa introduces a creative writing challenge inspired by Maggie Queeney.
Participants observe from a window, write about their surroundings, and create a tanka poem using sensory imagery and personal reflections.

Written in response to this week’s Tanka Challenge hosted by Mom With a Blog.

#TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge No. 28, Tanka: Looking Through Windows, 09/02/25

Busy…

Chris Hall41 Comments


we are so busy
this is me, I’m a squirrel
and who’s over there?
tiny wax bills and sun birds
we’re chattering and chirping

there’s two pretty doves
and a couple of weavers
I’m going up now
there are so many creatures
just paradise, isn’t it

~~~

Personification – so interesting!
Written in response to this week’s Tanka Challenge hosted by Robbie Cheadle.

#TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge No. 27, Personification, 08/26/25

Just Rose

Chris Hall47 Comments

canva.com

so where was that witch?
I had been looking for her
which way would she go?
I rose up, holding a rose
that would please her, very much

~~~

It’s a taiga  – created by Colleen and Robbie – such a nice idea!

Written in response to this week’s Tanka Challenge hosted by Yvette M. Calleiro

#TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge No. 26, Multiple Meanings, 08/19/25

Time and Clocks

Chris Hall50 Comments

canva.com

time is so precious
and I think tick tick tick tick
it is moving on
where will I go when I die?
can anyone tell me today?

This is a taiga with a tanka poem and a black and white photo – created by Colleen and Robbie.

Written in response to this week’s Tanka Challenge – from Colleen – very useful!

#TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge #25, 8/12/25: Tanka & Experimental Tanka
Submissions are OPEN for the 2025 Sunflower Tanka Anthology

A poem and a photo

Chris Hall39 Comments

canva.com

~~~

This is a Taiga with a tanka poem and a black and white photo – created by Colleen and Robbie.

Written in response to this week’s Tanka Challenge hosted by Willow.

#TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge #24, 8/5/25: Taiga & Canva Instructions



Art on Words

Chris Hall19 Comments

it’s a victory
flags are all around the world
but it is not true
is it in a gallery?
but no, it’s just in a house

so what would we think?
maybe it’s a metaphor
it’s just… difficult

~~~

Metaphor – a tanka and a haiku – great fun!
Written in response to this week’s Tanka Challenge hosted by Robbie Cheadle

Tanka Tuesday Poetry Challenge #23, 7/29/25: Metaphors

A Frog Song

Chris Hall33 Comments

Photo by Paul Szlosek


a small pool
forest green and clear
just lovely

and who can we see?
that’s right, a wonderful frog!
he says ‘om’ and ‘om’
and he’s placid and peaceful
in his lotus position

~~~

It’s a haiku 3/5/3, plus tanka – such fun!

Written in response to this week’s Tanka Challenge hosted by Selma
And there is Paul’s Wonderful World of Color – great photos!

#TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge No. 22, July 22nd: Photographs

Weaving

Chris Hall39 Comments

Alma Thomas, Celestial Fantasy, 1973, acrylic on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum

Warp and Weft – it’s a Shadorma (twice)

warp and weft
beautiful colours
let’s begin
to weave now
it is mostly bright, bright blue
with a hint of pink

lots to do
as the shuttle moves
quick and turn
and again
it’s not a painting this time
it’s a lovely scarf

~~~~~

Written in response to this week’s Tanka Challenge hosted by Melissa from Mom With a Blog

#TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge No. 21, Shadorma, 7/15/2025

Birthday Treat

Chris Hall45 Comments

a tasty morsel
tongued with creaminess, gorgeous
it’s melting and moist

sprinkling happiness
drawn with pastels and charcoal
a luscious painting

a delightful cake
dark and delicious, blissful
it could eat itself

~~~

Thanks to Colleen for the inspiration to write syllabic poetry. This week, let’s experiment with synesthesia.

#TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge No. 20, Synesthesia, 7/8/25

What’s for lunch?

Chris Hall42 Comments

in my fruit basket
there’s plums, tangerines, avos
it maybe winter
but toms are still ripening
and sitting in the sun room

What to eat for lunch? Maybe use the avocado – definitely ready. Opening it up… mmm, perfect. A little mayonnaise with some tuna, or even better, make some guacamole. So mash the avocado mixed with tomato, a tiny bit of chopped onion and a little chilli pepper. Now we could go really mad. Let’s pile everything in to some tacos, and hey presto… it must be Taco Tuesday – just like Tanka Tuesday (well, it’s only a couple of days late).

~~~~~~

Thanks to Colleen for the inspiration to write syllabic poetry. 
The challenge for this week is all about fruit!

#TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge No. 18, Fruit, 6/24/25